Join Ali Abdaal, a seasoned medical doctor and productivity expert, as he transforms the way we approach productivity. He shares his 'feel-good' method, emphasizing that enjoyment can lead to greater productivity. Discover the importance of energizing your work, overcoming burnout, and utilizing relational energy for collaboration. Ali also introduces the five-minute rule to combat procrastination and highlights the idea of 'nice goals' that prioritize joy over traditional outcomes. It's a refreshing take on making productivity fun!
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Medical School Struggles
Ali Abdaal struggled in medical school initially, finding the workload overwhelming.
A psychology lecture on study techniques changed his perspective and led him to explore productivity.
insights INSIGHT
Feel-Good Productivity
Making work feel good is key to productivity, not just discipline or willpower.
Flow states and enjoyment lead to better work, not grinding.
volunteer_activism ADVICE
Inject Play
Inject playfulness into your work.
Seriousness can hinder productivity; approach work with sincerity instead.
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In 'Feel-Good Productivity,' Dr. Ali Abdaal challenges the conventional notion that productivity is about hard work and discipline. Instead, he argues that the secret to productivity is feeling good. Drawing on decades of psychological research, Abdaal introduces the three hidden 'energisers' that underpin enjoyable productivity, the three 'blockers' to overcome procrastination, and the three 'sustainers' to prevent burnout. The book includes inspiring stories from founders, Olympians, and Nobel-winning scientists and provides simple, actionable changes to make work more enjoyable and sustainable. Abdaal's approach focuses on cultivating a deeper energy for work, balancing well-being with productivity, and enjoying the journey.
Celebration of discipline
the path to spiritual growth
Richard Foster
Celebration of Discipline explores the central spiritual practices of the Christian faith, dividing them into three categories: inward disciplines (meditation, prayer, fasting, and study), outward disciplines (simplicity, solitude, submission, and service), and corporate disciplines (confession, worship, guidance, and celebration). Foster argues that these disciplines are essential for spiritual growth and a balanced spiritual life. He provides practical insights and examples on how these disciplines can be integrated into daily life to bring about personal transformation and a deeper connection with God and others.
The Road to Character
David Brooks
In 'The Road to Character,' David Brooks delves into the lives of some of the world’s greatest thinkers and leaders to illustrate how they built strong inner characters. The book contrasts 'résumé virtues' (external achievements) with 'eulogy virtues' (internal character strengths like kindness, bravery, and honesty). Brooks examines figures such as Frances Perkins, Dwight Eisenhower, Dorothy Day, and others, highlighting their personal struggles and the virtues they developed. He argues that modern society often prioritizes external success over internal character, and he provides practical advice on how to rebalance these aspects of life. The book is a call to rethink priorities and strive for a life marked by humility, moral depth, and meaningful relationships[2][4][5].
When we think about getting more done, we tend to think about working harder, exerting more willpower, and buckling down; we tend to think of doing things that are unpleasant, but that we deem worth it, for the productivity boost they offer.
But what if the key to greater productivity ran the other way round, and the easier and more enjoyable you made your work, the more of it you’d get done?
That’s the premise of Ali Abdaal’s new book Feel-Good Productivity. In addition to being a new author, Ali is a doctor, a YouTuber, and the world’s most followed productivity expert. Today on the show, Ali unpacks the three prongs of his feel-good approach to productivity: energerize, unblock, and sustain. We talk about how to inject your work with more play, flip the confidence switch, find joy in increasing your power, harness relational energy, and use the 10-10-10 rule for overcoming hesitation in taking action. We also discuss why smart goals aren’t always effective and what’s a better alternative, why you might want to put a five-minute hourglass on your desk, the three types of burnout and how to overcome each, and much more.
The Art of Manliness 
