Member Reviews

This book serves as a great starting point for people looking to incorporate new positive productivity habits into their lives, or a refresher for someone who has gone off track. It helps (but isn’t necessary) to have some pre-existing interest or knowledge of common productivity trends going into this book.

One thing that this book struggles with is that it’s like a cornucopia of productivity ideas and experiments that can be a lot to parse out. But, as the author intends, it does offer many ideas for consideration, knowing that someone will likely land on 1-3 key principles that work for them.

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This was a quick read, and one I got some nuggets from. I had not heard of this former doctor, but he shares some great thoughts on being more productive, and being happier in your job and work life. I wrote down quite a few quotes to keep in mind to make my work life, and my classroom, a happier, more productive place for my students and me!

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I had a hard time getting into this book. There were too many instances of, "research shows" and not nearly enough practical application for my liking. I tend to enjoy personal development books that have more practical tips and tricks, rather than the science behind those the tips. If you're someone who likes to know more of the why and the science behind productivity, you'll love this one.

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This book was easy to read and written in a way that made the ideas easy to understand. The author provided ways to channel and use what is included in each chapter but, to my sadness, some are glossed over and others are given in-depth way to use the idea for productivity.

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In Ali Abdaal’s Feel – Good Productivity: How to Do More of What Matters to You, he gives a fresh, positive spin on how to be more productive in your daily life. Written in his conversational style and filled with personal anecdotes, he offers practical tips that are easily put into practice and words that are meant to inspire and encourage the reader in a way unlike other books on the same subject. It is a quick and easy read for those looking to up their productivity game and would be a great gift to pass along to others.

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Ali Abdaal's FEEL-GOOD PRODUCTIVITY is that intelligent, well-reasoned and personable read that encouraged me to examine my productivity through a new lens of joy. While the hacks and efficiencies and discipline had taken me far, this book's emphasis on presence of mind and joy gave me fresh courage and enthusiasm for the goals and accomplishments I most desire. It was a fast read, making simple and very doable changes to my routines, the feeling good encouraging me to keep going. Thank you to the author -- I'm sorry for his tough road to arrive at this wonderful system, but am delighted he kept with it and wrote this book. I received a copy of this book and these opinions are my own, unbiased thoughts.

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Overall a very enjoyable book. Here are some notes I took:

1. Richard Feynman was a bit of an odd duck. I've read Surely You're Joking, Mr. Feynman. Even so, I liked the idea that he was unconventional and that there are insights to glean from his habits.

2. I'm not against pulling a Mary Poppins to find the fun in every task.

3. There was a section about self-determined confidence which reminded me of Olivia Fox Cabane's The Charisma Myth.

4. There were four quadrants of how to respond to a close person's news, and I was interested that I had been socialized to do the Cheerleader Charlie one in almost every circumstance. I didn't see Ali dive into the difference in gendered responses.

5. The part about defeating inertia wasn't anything that I hadn't heard before, but it really resonated. Setting up your environment so you make steady progress is so simple that it's not something you have to shell out money to know. However, actually doing it is a different matter. There's often a gap between knowledge and execution.

6. I'm used to replays of Lebron taking crazy shots and running. I was unaware of all the time that Ali states that Lebron was walking around on the court. It reminded me of how Serena Williams informed her husband Alexis Ohanian, co-founder of reddit, that he worked too hard. She talked about routinely resting, which is a lesson all of us need to learn.

7. Strategic recovery includes certain elements, which Ali spells out.

8. I liked the section where the researchers disrupted the idea that women were inherently worse at physics than men by having them affirm their values. I wrote down my top values from that list. They aren't one for one the same ones as Ramit Sethi has as Money Dials, but it's a somewhat similar concept. What are your priorities with your time, money, and energy (resources in general)?

I received a review copy from NetGalley and have left my opinion.

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This book is so good. I enjoyed the writing style as well as the content. The author does a great job of reminding us how we can use our childhood abilities in adulthood to bring a higher element of fun, creativity and productivity into our lives. If you're looking for an inspiring book that is really going to help you break out of your regular routine and do something great, this is it!

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I just couldn’t do this one. I suppose i have read too many productivity, optimize yourself, try-this-weird-trick books to see much new value in this one. There is a lot of prose for what is very watered down and barely actionable advice. Bored at work? Play music! In a rut? Practice beginners mind! Stagnating at work? Pretend you’re a cartoon character trying to level up! I could see where this one was going, and the future was grim.

Others have said similar in their reviews: this might be a good starting point for someone, but if you have read more than a few bestsellers in the productivity self-help genre, you have seen this advice before. The author takes a mind-numbingly long time to make their various points. At the end of each section you’ll find yourself flipping back a few pages to see if you missed anything, only to later ask yourself “that was it?”

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Ali abdaal is a productivity master. In his new book, Feel Good Productivity, he directs us in ways to stop procrastinating and start enjoying our daily lives. I thoroughly enjoyed his writing style, the information, and guided experiments. This is the book we all need to read.

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Thank you to Netgalley and Celadon books for the advanced readers copy of this book. As a fan of Ali Abdaal I was curious what he might have to say that he hasn't already said on his popular YouTube channel. Boy was I surprised. He has taken years of research in the field of productivity and condensed it down to an easy to read journey through discovering what productivity looks like for each individual using examples from his personal experience coupled with his extensive research. It's a quick read but is broken down so that you can read chapters and do your own personal reflection on how that information is applicable to oneself.

I think this would make an excellent graduation gift for upcoming graduates from as early as high school.

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"Feel-Good Productivity" by Ali Abdaal is an absolute gem that had me captivated from start to finish. Ali's ability to combine practical strategies with a refreshing and uplifting approach to productivity is truly commendable. As I delved into the pages of this book, I found myself inspired and motivated to make positive changes in my own life.

What sets "Feel-Good Productivity" apart is Ali's emphasis on self-care and well-being as essential components of productivity. His insights on managing energy, setting boundaries, and prioritizing rest resonated deeply with me as a busy individual constantly striving for balance.

Ali's writing style is relatable, authentic, and peppered with personal anecdotes. His practical tips are easy to implement and yield tangible results.

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I think Ali’s book was more of a self-help book than a productivity one; however, I think that worked in his favor. He understands that you can’t really be productive if you don’t feel good, if you don’t have a sense of purpose about what you are doing or if you are just on an automatic mode in your life. The many experiences mentioned were very insightful and genuinely gave me a different perspectives about a couple of things. My main takeaway from the book was to do what matters. It seems so obvious but it’s so incredible how easily missed it is.

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I really enjoyed this book. Ali's writing style is very engaging, as he shares interesting insights and valuable advice from a wide range of studies and experts. The studies and data can sometimes feel a little heavy, but as I learned, this information is relevant. Ultimately, the book offers practical and thought-provoking tips, solace, motivation, and a way forward for anyone wanting to get more out of their life. The highlight was this insightful quote: "You don't have to be a guru. You can just be a guide." Whether you're a productivity enthusiast or simply looking for ideas on being more productive, I highly recommend picking up this book.

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Incredible book truly, been a fan of Ali Abdaal for around 5 years now and this book feels like a culmination of all his youtube videos. Yes it might not have any new insights on productivity but him drawing upon previous really good books on the topic and anecdotes of applying those techniques in his everyday life in an easy digestable package make this a very easy recommendation for anyone

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I have always found it hard to stay productive but this book helped me to start and stay productive and to get the things done that I needed to. I enjoyed reading this book. It was very helpful and easy to understand.

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Ali Abdaal's Feel-Good Productivity is a revelation – a departure from the usual hustle and grind mentality. The book offers great insights into productivity without the relentless go-go mentality. I found myself highlighting memorable quotes and appreciating the unique perspective on achieving more without succumbing to overwork. Ali's approach is a breath of fresh air, making productivity a joyful journey rather than a stressful race. If you're seeking a happier and more fulfilling approach to getting things done, this book is a must-read. I appreciate Netgalley, the author, and the publisher for allowing me to read and review.

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I love reading books about productivity so that I can pick up some new habits. I found this to be an easy read with actionable information. I will recommend this to clients when it releases.

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I’m a subscriber to Ali’s YouTube channel, so I was very much looking forward to reading his book. I love Ali’s approach to taking the pressure off ourselves to always needing things to be perfect and allowing ourselves the grace of making work and life fun. The concepts in this book are not new and many of the strategies to combat unproductiveness can be found in the plethora of self-improvement books already flooding our reading lists. However, Ali presents the information in a fresh way and uses great examples that show us how to implement strategies to be more effective, gain confidence, and make life about the experiences. Our attitude is our choice. Tasks, chores, decisions, and life are what we frame it to be. The frame Ali creates is a positive one and he shares his journey with a true passion for helping others along theirs.

Thanks to NetGalley and Celadon Books for providing me with an ARC of this book.

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Feel-Good Productivity is a breath of fresh air and just what I needed! It really stands out in its genre of self help/development. Abdaal brings such a unique perspective, informing us that we should focus more on what really matters to us and not on getting more done. The anecdotes are fascinating and the information is well synthesized and presented. I loved the focus on giving ourselves agency and considering what fulfills and energizes us. Abdaal lays out clear action steps that are easy to consider and follow. This is a pretty short book, so it would be great for a work book club to get employees more engaged. I listened to the audiobook, which is perfectly narrated by the author, Ali Abdaal, whose voice is soothing and earnest.

Thank you NetGalley and the publishers for providing this ebook/audiobook ARC. All thoughts are my own.

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