Feel-Good Productivity

Feel-Good Productivity argues that the most reliable path to getting things done isn’t pressure—it’s positive emotion. When your work contains enjoyment, a sense of control, and real human connection, you naturally gain energy and momentum. That momentum makes action easier, which improves results, which reinforces the emotional state that helped you start in the first place. Productivity becomes less like self-control and more like self-support.

The book also reframes common obstacles—procrastination and burnout—as signals, not personal failures. If you’re procrastinating, the issue is often confusion, ingrained avoidance patterns, or hidden fear. If you’re burning out, the issue is often overload, poor recovery, or work that doesn’t fit your values. Abdaal’s solution is to experiment like a scientist: make small changes, observe what genuinely energizes you, and build a system that makes meaningful progress feel sustainable—and even enjoyable.

Ali Abdaal is an entrepreneur, YouTuber, and podcaster known for teaching productivity in a research-informed, approachable style. He studied medicine at the University of Cambridge and worked as a doctor in the UK. His experience struggling with pressure and performance—especially during medical training—helped shape his interest in productivity methods that support well-being rather than sacrifice it.