Feel-Good Productivity

Categories : Productivity Self-Help

🎯 The Book in 3 Sentences

💡 Key Takeaways

Integrate play, identify personalities, embrace curiosity.
Create confidence, learn through doing, shift mindset.
Prioritize supportive connections, foster collaboration.
Define purpose, shift to NICE goals, use triggers.
Confront fears, reshape identity, gain perspective.
Recognize burnout signs, create an energy portfolio.

✏ Top Quotes

Feeling good boosts our energy and reduces our stress.

No failure is ever just a failure. It’s an invitation to try something new.

Discipline is when we do stuff that we don’t feel like doing. It’s the opposite of motivation.

It isn’t lack of talent or inspiration that’s holding you back. It’s fear.

📝 Summary + Notes

Part 1. Energize

Chapter 1. Play

Play is our first energiser. Life is stressful. Play makes it fun. If we can integrate the spirit of play into our lives, we’ll feel better – and do more too.
Find your play personality from the list:
1. The Collector loves to gather and organise, enjoying activities like searching for rare plants, or rummaging around in archives or garage sales.
2. The Competitor enjoys games and sports, and takes pleasure in trying their best and winning.
3. The Explorer likes to wander, discovering new places and things they’ve never seen, through hiking, road tripping and other adventures.
4. The Creator finds joy in making things, and can spend hours every day drawing, painting, making music, gardening and more.
5. The Storyteller has an active imagination and uses their imagination to entertain others. They’re drawn to activities like writing, dance, theatre and role-playing games.
6. The Joker endeavours to make people laugh, and may play by performing stand-up, doing improv, or just pulling a lot of pranks to make you smile.
7. The Director likes to plan, organise and lead others, and can fit into many different roles and activities, from directing stage performances to running a company, to working in political or social advocacy.
8. The Kinesthete finds play in physical activities like acrobatics, gymnastics and free running.
Harnessing your curiosity is a second method for building adventure into your life.
Curiosity doesn’t simply make our lives more enjoyable. It also allows us to focus longer.
Add side-quests to your day to spark curiosity.
Find joy in the process and not the outcome.
Create an environment that’s low-stakes and that fosters relaxation.

Chapter 2. Power

Power is our second energiser; a crucial ingredient in feeling good and being productive.
It’s not something you seize from others – it’s something you create for yourself.
Believing you can is the first step to making sure you actually can.
Challenge yourself to behave *as if* you’re confident in your task, even if you’re not.
Learning through doing is one of the most powerful forces in human psychology.
Whenever you feel you *must* do something, think again. Switch your mindset to *choose* to.

Chapter 3. People

Life’s joy amplifies with supportive friends. Identify those who uplift your energy, making the pursuit of such connections a priority.
Shift from a competitive mindset to being a team player in collaborations. Treat colleagues as comrades, fostering a positive and synergistic work environment.
Foster meaningful connections by offering assistance and seeking help when needed.
Break the communication barrier by generously sharing information, recognizing that over-communication is often better than under-communication.

Part 2. Unblock

Chapter 4. Seek Clarity

Define the purpose ('why') before tasks. Focus on intent, not just detailed plans for effective outcomes.
Shift from rigid SMART goals to NICE goals (Near-term, Input-based, Controllable, Energising) for clarity and sustained motivation:
- Near-term Focus: Emphasizes short-term objectives, helping avoid feeling overwhelmed by the grand picture.
- Input-based: Shifts the focus from distant outcomes to the process and actions within your control.
- Controllable: Prioritize goals that are within your control, promoting realistic and achievable targets.
- Energising: Integrates elements of play, power, and social connections into goals, making them more enjoyable and motivating.
Use “if…then…” statements to create triggers for desired behaviors. Increase the likelihood of follow-through by embedding actions in routine.
Allocate specific time blocks in your calendar for tasks and activities. Move from task-oriented to schedule-oriented planning for greater productivity.

Chapter 5. Find Courage

Confront fear by naming and acknowledging it. This practice enhances self-awareness and breaks the cycle of rumination, fostering emotional processing.
Challenge broader fears tied to identity by reshaping labels. Positive self-identifications can counteract negative self-perceptions and boost confidence.
To reduce fear’s paralyzing effect, gain perspective by asking: Will this matter in 10 minutes, 10 weeks, and 10 years? Challenge catastrophic thinking.

Chapter 6. Get Started

Adjusting your environment helps tilt your actions towards the right decision, the one you actually want.
We need clear, concrete steps to take, rather than distant, abstract goals. Otherwise we might do nothing at all.
Tracking your progress provides you with tangible evidence that you’re moving towards your goals.
Find an accountability buddy. His exploits have some gentle peer pressure and a powerful effect. You now have somebody to share your triumphs and mourn your woes.

Part 3. Sustain

Chapter 7. Conserve

Burnout isn’t just a thing that happens to overworked people in stressful jobs.
It can happen to anyone when work stops feeling meaningful, enjoyable or manageable.
Create an "energy investment portfolio" by distinguishing dreams from active projects. Limit active investments to what you can realistically handle.
Adopt a mindset of “Begin again” when focus wavers. Recognize the balance between sustained focus and occasional breaks.
Schedule breaks into your day, treating them as essential for self-regulation. Breaks, even short ones, replenish energy and combat overexertion.

Chapter 8. Recharge

Combat depletion burnout by finding CALM activities—Competent, Autonomous, Liberated, Mellow. Choose rest that truly rejuvenates.
Spend time outdoors or bring nature indoors. Even a short walk or the presence of greenery can have a transformative impact on your well-being.
Rest doesn’t always need a plan. Sometimes, the most rejuvenating thing is doing nothing at all. Embrace moments of stillness and relaxation.
Make feeling calm a priority in your rest routine. Choose activities that bring a sense of tranquility and contribute to your overall well-being.

Chapter 9. Align

Overcome misalignment by continually reassessing and aligning your actions with your core values and long-term vision.
Envision yourself on your deathbed for clarity on life priorities. Reflect on medium and short-term goals, connecting daily actions to long-term aspirations.
Define accomplishments for the year and break them into weekly actions. Align current actions with future aspirations to ensure meaningful progress.
Take small, meaningful steps today that align with your envisioned future. Consistent alignment leads to a more fulfilling and purpose-driven life.