Wanna increase productivity? You gotta feel good first
Atomic Ideas from Feel Good Productivity by Ali Abdaal
We all grew up believing that success comes from suffering. But here is the thing - feeling good often leads to higher productivity, which often translates to success.
Don’t believe me? Check out the candle experiment conducted by researchers.
The candle experiment involves giving two groups of people a candle, matches, and a box of thumbtacks, then asking them to attach the candle to a wall so that the wax won't drip onto the table below. The first group was given a small gift before the task, while the second group received no gift.
Guess what happened? The results of the experiment showed that the group who received a gift were significantly more successful at solving the problem than those who did not.\
That’s the essence of feel good productivity, a book by most followed productivity expert, Ali Abdaal. Here is what he has to say:
Success doesn’t come from suffering. In fact, it’s the opposite: feeling good leads to success. The principles of feel-good productivity can help anyone achieve more by focusing on what truly motivates them and brings them joy in their work and life.
Positive emotions aren't just a result of success but a crucial ingredient for achieving it. When we feel good, we unlock our capacity for creativity, focus, and resilience, which in turn, allows us to accomplish more and experience greater fulfillment.
ANNOUNCEMENT 🌟🌟
We have launched a very cool book summary experience - an experience that’s not just first of its kind but is designed for the ones who love to listen to key ideas from non-fiction books on-the-go.
Introducing Atomic Ideas podcast - delightfully done audiobooks that brings atomic ideas from books in a conversational format!
Do listen/follow AtomicIdeas podcast on Spotify | Apple | Amazon Music (+ your fav podcasting app)
And now, back to Atomic Ideas from the book.
This book proposes a method for incorporating feel-good productivity into your daily life. It is built on three core components: energize, unblock, and sustain. The book also introduces readers to three key energizers:
play,
power, and
people.
PLAY
The Power of Play
Infuse play into your work to unlock creativity and make even mundane tasks more enjoyable. Identify with a “play personality,” like the Collector, the Creator, or the Joker, and approach your work as that persona. By embracing curiosity and reframing failures as opportunities for growth and learning, you can transform your relationship with work.
Cultivating Curiosity
Curiosity is a potent tool for productivity as it makes our tasks more enjoyable, fuels our focus, and enhances information retention. By actively seeking out new information, experiences, and challenges, you can cultivate a mindset of continuous learning and growth.
Embracing Sincerity
Shifting from a mindset of seriousness to sincerity in your work can alleviate stress and foster a sense of playfulness. When we approach our tasks with sincerity, we can focus on the present moment and engage with our work in a more meaningful way, leading to greater satisfaction and productivity.
POWER
The Confidence Switch
Confidence is not a fixed trait; it's a skill that can be developed and strengthened through practice. By embracing the “confidence switch”–acting as if you already possess the self-belief you desire–you can overcome self-doubt and tackle challenges with greater confidence.
Sharing Your Expertise
Teaching others, even if you don't feel like an expert, can be a powerful way to boost your confidence and solidify your understanding of a subject. By explaining concepts and sharing your knowledge, you deepen your own mastery and contribute to the growth of others.
Owning Your Work
Taking ownership of your work, even when you lack control over certain aspects of it, can significantly increase your intrinsic motivation and job satisfaction. Focus on the elements within your control, such as your approach, your attitude, and your interactions with colleagues, to find fulfillment and make meaningful contributions.
PEOPLE
The Comrade Mindset
Cultivate a “comrade mindset” by perceiving the people you work with as collaborators rather than competitors. By fostering a sense of teamwork and mutual support, you can create a more positive and productive work environment.
The Helper's High
Helping others triggers a release of endorphins, leading to a mood boost and increased productivity–the “helper’s high”. Integrate small acts of kindness into your daily routine to improve your well-being and foster a more positive and supportive work environment.
The Benjamin Franklin Effect
Asking for help from others, rather than being perceived as a burden, can actually strengthen relationships and make people feel valued. The “Benjamin Franklin effect” suggests that people are more likely to feel positively towards those they have helped.
The Power of Overcommunication
Effective communication, particularly in collaborative settings, requires overcommunication rather than simply conveying the bare minimum. By being transparent, sharing information proactively, and ensuring everyone is on the same page, you can enhance collaboration, prevent misunderstandings, and foster stronger relationships.
SEEK CLARITY
Commander's Intent
Before diving into tasks, define the “commander's intent” – the ultimate purpose behind your work. By identifying the “why” behind your actions, you can maintain focus on what truly matters and make informed decisions when faced with obstacles or changing circumstances.
The Five Whys
When facing a challenge or roadblock, employ the “five whys” technique to uncover the root cause of the issue. By repeatedly asking “why,” you can move beyond superficial symptoms and address the underlying problem, leading to more effective solutions and preventing recurrence.
NICE Goals
When setting goals, ensure they are NICE: near-term, input-based, controllable, and energizing. NICE goals promote a sense of progress and accomplishment, increasing motivation and reducing the likelihood of feeling overwhelmed or discouraged.
The Ideal Week
Design your “ideal week” by time-blocking periods for work, relationships, hobbies, and self-care, ensuring that your schedule aligns with your values and priorities. Although you may not perfectly adhere to this schedule, it provides a valuable framework for making conscious choices about how you spend your time.
FIND COURAGE
Embrace Your Fear
Procrastination often stems from fear. Acknowledge and explore your fears to better understand and manage them. By facing your anxieties head-on, you can begin to dismantle the emotional barriers that prevent you from taking action and pursuing your goals.
The Emotion Label
Putting your feelings into words—employing the “emotion label”—can reduce the intensity of difficult emotions, such as fear and anxiety, allowing for a more rational response to challenges. By labeling our emotions, we gain a sense of control over them, which can be particularly helpful when facing fear or self-doubt.
Confidence Isn’t Everything
You don’t need to feel 100% confident to get started on a task. In many cases, action precedes confidence; by taking the first step, even if you’re unsure of yourself, you can build momentum and gradually increase your confidence as you progress.
The Spotlight Effect
The spotlight effect refers to our tendency to overestimate how much others notice or judge our actions. Keep in mind that people are often too preoccupied with their own lives to pay close attention to every mistake or imperfection we perceive in ourselves.
GET STARTED
Overcoming Inertia
Inertia, the tendency to remain at rest, can be a significant barrier to getting started on tasks. By reducing the activation energy required to begin–making it as easy as possible to take the first step–you can overcome inertia and initiate action.
The Five-Minute Rule
The five-minute rule involves committing to working on a task for just five minutes. This short burst of focused effort can be surprisingly effective in overcoming initial resistance and often leads to continued engagement with the task.
The Bias to Action
Adopt a “bias to action” by focusing on taking concrete steps towards your goals rather than getting bogged down in excessive planning or analysis. By prioritizing action, you create momentum and make tangible progress, even if your initial steps are small.
Track Your Progress
Monitoring your progress towards a goal, no matter how small, can increase motivation and provide a sense of accomplishment. Tracking your progress also helps identify areas for improvement and allows you to celebrate milestones along the way, making the journey feel less daunting.
CONSERVE
Overexertion Burnout
Overexertion burnout occurs when we consistently push ourselves beyond our limits, taking on too much and failing to prioritize rest and recovery. To combat this, prioritize self-care, learn to say no, and set realistic boundaries to protect your energy and well-being.
Energy Investment Portfolio
Just as we manage a financial portfolio, we can create an “energy investment portfolio” to strategically allocate our time and energy to the projects and activities that truly matter. Prioritize a limited number of “active investments” to prevent spreading yourself too thin and ensure you have the capacity to fully engage with your chosen pursuits.
The Power of No
Saying no to nonessential commitments and requests frees up time and energy for your true priorities. Embrace the power of no to create space for what matters most and avoid feeling overwhelmed or resentful.
Strategic Breaks
Regular breaks throughout the workday are essential for maintaining focus, energy, and productivity. Schedule short breaks into your calendar and engage in activities that help you recharge and return to your work with renewed focus.
RECHARGE
Mindful Recharging
Mindful recharging involves engaging in activities that actively restore and replenish your energy levels. Cultivate “calm hobbies” and “calm projects”–creative pursuits that bring you joy, provide a sense of accomplishment, and help you detach from work-related stress.
The Shower Principle
The “shower principle” suggests that moments of relaxation and mind-wandering can spark creativity and problem-solving. Embrace downtime and allow your mind to wander freely; these seemingly unproductive periods can lead to valuable insights and a renewed sense of energy.
ALIGN
The Eulogy Method
Gain clarity on your values and what truly matters by employing the “eulogy method”. Imagine yourself at your own funeral and reflect on what you would want others to say about your life and legacy. This exercise helps you identify your core values and ensure your actions align with the person you aspire to be.
Designing Your Life
Approach life with a design mindset, viewing challenges as opportunities for growth and experimentation. Utilize the “odyssey plan” to explore different potential paths for your future and identify what resonates most with your aspirations and values.
The Wheel of Life
The “wheel of life” is a visual tool that helps assess your level of satisfaction and alignment across different areas of your life, such as health, work, and relationships. By identifying areas of imbalance, you can create a roadmap for personal growth and prioritize actions that bring you closer to a more fulfilling and aligned life.
12-Month Celebration
Visualize a celebratory dinner with a close friend twelve months from now. Imagine sharing your accomplishments and positive changes over the past year. This technique helps translate long-term aspirations into concrete, actionable goals and encourages consistent progress toward your desired outcomes.