Publishers Weekly
10/09/2023
Medical doctor-turned-YouTuber Abdaal debuts with an energetic guide to “feel-good productivity,” a practice that promises “success doesn’t lead to feeling good. Feeling good leads to success.” According to the author, positive feelings boost energy and reduce stress, fostering creative thinking, motivation, and inspiration “to pursue our goals.” Such feelings can be achieved through relatively simple interventions; for instance, Abdaal used the prompt “What would this look like if it were fun?” to make studying for postgraduate medical exams more interesting (his solution was listening to music). Readers can harness the power of positivity by asking, “What would it look like if I were really confident at this?” before starting a task (“simply by becoming your own hype team you can dramatically impact your own productivity”) and capitalizing on “energizing distractions” that “forc us to pause, reflect, and tak things at a more reasonable pace,” such as going for a walk in the park or having dinner with a friend. Lucidly written and grounded in persuasive research studies (e.g., cyclists who were given a motivational speech the night before a ride had more stamina than those who weren’t), this presents a wise alternative to a “hustle-harder” culture in which success requires suffering. Abdaal’s solid insights on confidence, motivation, and creativity inspire. (Dec.)
From the Publisher
‘A much-needed antidote to hustle culture, this book is a reality check for any ambitious person who wants to build sustainable success. It offers the most practical approach to productivity that no one says yet all of us need to hear.’
-Mark Manson, author of The Subtle Art of Not Giving A F*ck
‘In this eye-opening and important new book, Ali Abdaal flips the conventional narrative on productivity: accomplishing important things is not about creating more efficient systems but instead about cultivating a deeper energy for your work. This really got me thinking!’
-Professor Cal Newport, Georgetown University, author of Deep Work and Digital Minimalism
‘Ali is the absolute master on how to be productive without sacrificing your own happiness. This is the book we've all been waiting for.’
-Dr. Julie Smith author of Why Has Nobody Told Me This Before?
‘Ali’s approach to productivity is exceptional and life-changing. This is a must-read if you want to experience the power of productivity in a whole new way.’
-Professor Will Macaskill, University of Oxford, author of What We Owe the Future and Doing Good Better
‘As a doctor, entrepreneur, and educator, Ali has a unique and practical perspective on productivity. His book is science-backed, filled with real-life stories and refreshingly joyful. A nuanced guide to productivity that will unlock more honest conversations about our relationship to work.’
-Anne-Laure Le Cunff, founder of Ness Labs and author of Liminal Minds
‘Utterly unlike the grumpy, besuited psychology gurus you’re used to, Ali is the cheerful, optimistic productivity teacher the world sorely needs. Now, he has drawn upon his singularly engaging style to create a book that will change you for the better. A must-read!’
-Mo Gawdat, former Chief Business Officer, Google X, author of Solve for Happy and Scary Smart
‘I have learned more about mindful productivity from Ali than anyone in the world. He is a master of simplifying complex topics and delivering actionable insights. This book is a tour de force!’
-Sahil Bloom, creator of The Curiosity Chronicle and author of The Wealth Lie
‘Ali is the master of productivity. Nobody has a talent for distilling complicated ideas into fun, accessible and actionable insights quite like him.’
-Steven Bartlett, author of Happy Sexy Millionaire and The Diary of a CEO
"[Abdaal] uses a friendly, readable tone to relay findings from studies and experts to guide the reader with practical and thought-provoking tips. Readers overwhelmed by their daily routines will find comfort, inspiration, and a game plan." -Booklist
MARCH 2024 - AudioFile
Listeners familiar with Abdaal's YouTube channel will instantly connect with his familiar voice, accent, and dynamic delivery. Listeners who are being introduced to Abdaal will quickly respond to his speaking style. He offers a new way of thinking that listeners can apply to transform their lives. Drawing from scientific research, diverse case studies, and personal anecdotes, Abdaal asserts that it's not that success leads to feeling good but that feeling good drives success--and productivity. He provides listeners with practical experiments they can implement and then decide whether to add to their productivity tool kits. Abdaal's enthusiastic narration resonates, inspiring listeners to become amateur productivity scientists. Informative, motivational, and entertaining, this audiobook delivers an enlightening perspective on productivity. E.Q. © AudioFile 2024, Portland, Maine
