The Happiness Advantage challenges conventional wisdom that success leads to happiness. Instead, Shawn Achor presents evidence-based strategies showing that happiness is the precursor to success. Drawing on original research, including one of the largest studies of happiness ever conducted, Achor outlines seven practical principles such as the Tetris Effect, the Zorro Circle, and Social Investment. These principles help readers rewire their brains for positivity and optimism, leading to improved performance, creativity, and overall well-being in both personal and professional life.
The Pathless Path by Paul Millerd chronicles his journey from being a high-achieving consultant to embarking on a path of self-discovery and creating a life based on personal values and freedom. The book explores the history of work, the concept of the 'default path' versus the 'pathless path,' and offers practical advice on how to navigate uncertainty, redefine success, and find meaning in one's life. Millerd shares his experiences of living in different countries, facing existential crises, and developing principles that guide him towards a more fulfilling life. The book is an invitation to readers to question their current path and consider a more unconventional, yet meaningful, way of living.
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.
In 'Good Vibes, Good Life,' Vex King provides a comprehensive guide on how to cultivate self-love, overcome negative emotions, and manifest positive changes in life. The book emphasizes the importance of self-care, mindfulness, and meditation, and offers practical techniques for transforming beliefs, attracting opportunities, and achieving personal growth. King draws from his personal experiences and intuitive wisdom to inspire readers to become the best version of themselves and live a life filled with good vibes and happiness.
Atomic Habits by James Clear provides a practical and scientifically-backed guide to forming good habits and breaking bad ones. The book introduces the Four Laws of Behavior Change: make it obvious, make it attractive, make it easy, and make it satisfying. It also emphasizes the importance of small, incremental changes (atomic habits) that compound over time to produce significant results. Clear discusses techniques such as habit stacking, optimizing the environment to support desired habits, and focusing on continuous improvement rather than goal fixation. The book is filled with actionable strategies, real-life examples, and stories from various fields, making it a valuable resource for anyone seeking to improve their habits and achieve personal growth[2][4][5].
In 'Limitless,' Jim Kwik offers a comprehensive guide to upgrading brain performance. The book is divided into three main parts: Mindset, Motivation, and Methods. Kwik provides tools to challenge limiting beliefs, ignite motivation, and master methods for accelerated learning. He introduces the 'Limitless Model,' which includes the FASTER method for quick content absorption and strategies to improve focus, study habits, memory, and speed reading. The book also addresses modern-day 'supervillains' of learning, such as digital deluge, and offers practical exercises to implement these strategies immediately[2][4][6].
In this book, Cal Newport draws on the habits and mindsets of historical figures like Galileo, Isaac Newton, Jane Austen, and Georgia O’Keefe to propose a new approach to productivity. He argues against the modern culture of 'pseudo-productivity,' where busyness is mistaken for actual productivity. Instead, Newport advocates for 'slow productivity,' which involves doing fewer things, working at a natural pace, and obsessing over quality. The book combines cultural criticism with practical advice to help readers transform their work habits and achieve more sustainable and meaningful accomplishments.
The Art and Business of Online Writing by Nicolas Cole is a comprehensive guide for writers aiming to succeed in the digital age. The book emphasizes the importance of understanding the game of online writing, where writers compete for reader attention against various forms of media. Cole shares his personal toolkit of writing strategies, including the importance of data-driven feedback, choosing the right category for your content, and developing a consistent writing style. He also discusses how to create engaging headlines, structure posts effectively, and build a content roadmap. The book highlights the value of writing publicly to gain feedback, the benefits of ghostwriting, and how to turn online writing into more valuable assets such as books and paid newsletters. Cole's approach is rooted in his extensive experience as a viral columnist and his success on platforms like Quora and Medium.
In this book, Mark Manson argues against the typical self-help advice of constant positivity, instead suggesting that life's struggles give it meaning. He emphasizes the need to focus on what truly matters and to accept and confront painful truths. The book is divided into nine chapters and uses blunt honesty and profanity to illustrate its ideas, encouraging readers to find meaning through values they can control and to replace uncontrollable values with more meaningful ones.
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In today’s episode, I sit down with Nicolas Cole, and we explore the fastest path to making $10,000 per month as a writer, why monetising through a service is often more effective than selling products, and we debunk the myth that you need a large following to start earning money.
We also cover the pros and cons of traditional publishing versus self-publishing and delve into the intricacies of book deals and distribution.
Finally, we discuss Feel-Good Productivity, the process of writing a book, overcoming self-doubt, and the benefits of immersive writing sprints.
Enjoy :)
(00:00) Introduction
(03:48) The Fastest Path to Monetisation
(08:00) The Value of Your Knowledge
(19:08) The ROI of Free Work
(25:26) The Three Services Every Business Owner Needs
(26:47) Identifying Potential Clients
(40:46) The Abundance Mindset
(57:35) Doing the Work
(01:09:26) Traditional Publishing vs. Self-Publishing
(01:29:19) Overcoming Self-Doubt
(01:46:55) Expanding the Feel-Good Productivity Category
(01:57:41) Immersive Writing Sprints
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📄SHOW NOTES & TRANSCRIPT
Visit the website for the transcript and highlights from the conversation - https://aliabdaal.com/podcast/
🎙 ABOUT THE PODCAST
Deep Dive is the podcast that delves into the minds of entrepreneurs, creators and other inspiring people to uncover the philosophies, strategies and tools that help us live happier, healthier and more productive lives.
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Deep Dive with Ali Abdaal 
