Feel Good Productivity
“I cry a lot but I am so productive, it’s an art”
Taylor swift
I don’t know about you, but I love being productive. Feeling like the work I put into something is valued, makes me feel like it’s time well spent.
The Taylor Swift reference is mostly a fun nod to someone who is clearly productive, though maybe you think of her more in the context of those “Stars, They’re Just Like Us” articles. That said, she does hit on something important in “I Can Do It With A Broken Heart.”
What happens when the value that we derive from our hard work, is mainly qualified by others. What about when we push ourselves/others to the brink of burnout in order to succeed and be “the best?” Too much of a “good” thing isn’t actually good for anyone, and experts express that productivity may actually be part of “toxic achievement culture” when it goes too far. We all need balance, and Ali Abdaal explores how prioritizing happiness actually leads to better productivity. Being happy isn’t counterintuitive to being successful.
Image c/o https://a.co/d/asCKPaE
So, how do we harness the motivation and satisfaction that productivity can provide? “Feel Good Productivity” by Ali Abdaal is a refreshing and interesting exploration of how to do this without sacrificing our well-being. Known for his popular YouTube channel on productivity, study tips, and life hacks, be blends practical advice and philosophical reflection to the book.
Abdaal rejects the traditional, often punitive approaches to productivity that prioritize relentless efficiency over personal satisfaction. I think this is a trip that many of us fall into, often times starting with when we were kids. I think of Bart Simpson writing something 100 times on a chalk board. Sure, understanding consequences is important, but what about when we don’t have the tools or coping mechanisms to understand how to infuse what we need to do, with how we want to feel? We have to learn them.
Image c/o https://a.co/d/asCKPaE
“Do less, so that you can unlock more.”
ALI ABDAAL
Ali Abdaal advocates for methods that align productivity with happiness, making the journey as rewarding as the destination. I often talk about efficiency in how I discuss analytics, because I think it’s an important part of how we think about operational execution and how we can harness automation to “work smarter, not harder.” That said, only focusing on the doing, and now how it makes us feel (a sense of accomplishment, celebrating the wins, communicating those feelings and successes to others), can drain our work of joy, thereby making us less productive. Too much of anything isn’t healthy, especially when it’s relentless and overtakes the tasks from which we truly derive joy.
Abdaal doesn’t just focus on work-related productivity but also considers the importance of rest, leisure, and self-care. We know how important “self-care” is, but we need to embrace it as more than just a buzz word, and maybe seeing how it also benefits our work and sense of satisfaction in all aspects of our lives, helps to really put it into practice. The book also (obviously) explores how activities like exercise, meditation, and hobbies contribute to a more productive and fulfilling life.
Image c/o https://a.co/d/asCKPaE
If you just browsed this post because #TLDR, I get it. Here’s a few articles that give a similar sentiment, and also offer solid, actionable, tips:
When My To-Do List Piles Up, I Use This Productivity Trick
7 Essential Self-Management Skills
10 Time Management Tips to Up Your Productivity Game
Some of this may seem obvious. If you’re already great at balancing productivity with happiness, I commend you. It’s been a challenge for me, personally and professionally, and something I continue to work on. This book was a great reminder, with actionable insights, that my own well-being is just as important as my productivity – there’s a way to have these two things exist harmoniously in my life without entirely compromising one or the other. If you face the same challenge as I do, or you’re just curious about another person’s perspective on finding this balance, I’d recommend reading it.
Cheers!
Katie