I’ve been following Ali Abdaal on Youtube for a few years now, and when his new book, Feel-Good Productivity, came out, I couldn’t miss it.
He’s got a really interesting (and refreshing) take on productivity in there, so here’s my thoughts put to paper with all the best bits to take home and apply from this book.
Alright, so being productive isn’t about juggling a thousand shiny apps or squeezing every second out of your day. Instead, it’s like setting your sights on a spot you actually care about and figuring out, step by step, how to move toward it without tripping yourself up.
Sounds simple, right? Well, not exactly.
Figure Out Where You’re Going, Then Make It Stick
Ok, so let’s start with this: If you don’t know where you’re headed, everything else gets messy fast. It’s like deciding to drive across the country without bothering to pick a route.
People tend to forget that you need a clear idea of what matters before you dive into the daily grind. Otherwise, you’re just running in circles.
Rules Keep You Grounded, But Give Yourself Some Wiggle Room
Here’s the thing — too much freedom can mess you up. People think doing whatever, whenever is the dream, but honestly?
Having some limits, like deadlines or routines, can help keep you from wandering too far off track.
Still, it’s worth tweaking those rules so they don’t box you in too tightly.
After all, a little bit of flexibility is what helps you stay sane when life gets messy.
Find a Way to Actually Like What You’re Doing
This is big. If your day feels like a constant grind, it’s hard to stick with anything for long.
You’ve got to trick yourself into enjoying the boring parts — or at least make them less awful.
A shift in attitude, like telling yourself, “Hey, I get to do this” instead of “Ugh, I have to,” can turn even the most annoying tasks into something slightly less dreadful.
Stop Overthinking the Stuff That Doesn’t Really Matter
So many people waste time worrying about which notebook or software is best when, honestly, any halfway-decent option will do.
The magic happens when you show up consistently, not because you’ve unlocked some secret gear combo.
Tools might give you a tiny boost, but the real deal is just doing the work, plain and simple.
Build Habits That Make Sense and Stick to Them (Mostly)
Let’s be real: Nobody’s perfect at this. You’ll try one system, love it for a month, then toss it aside when it stops feeling fresh.
That’s fine.
What matters is knowing the basic rhythm that works for you — whether that’s starting your day with a walk, blocking off time to write, or fasting until noon because breakfast slows you down.
Find what fits and roll with it, but don’t sweat it if things change.
Numbers Aren’t Everything
Here’s something to chew on: Getting obsessed with views, likes, or whatever metrics you track is a trap.
They’re out of your hands once you hit publish, so why stress?
Sure, you can glance at trends to fine-tune your approach, but don’t let numbers mess with your head.
Focus on creating stuff you’re proud of, and let the rest sort itself out.
Keep It Moving, No Matter What
At the end of the day, it’s about showing up — again and again.
Some days will suck. That’s just part of the deal.
What counts is that you’re still there, putting in the work, even if it’s not your best.
Over time, those little bits of effort stack up, and suddenly you’re way ahead of where you started.
In short, productivity isn’t about doing more; it’s about doing what matters in a way that feels good — or at least manageable.
Start small, build up, and keep the process rolling. Everything else? It’s just noise.