Imagine if Productivity Felt Like Play, Not Punishment (Here’s How To Make That Happen)

Hi, I’m Noman, and this is The Book Nerd.

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• Practical ideas you can apply right away

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Most people think productivity is about pushing harder. Work longer hours. Drink more coffee. Cross more tasks off the list.

But the truth is: tired minds don’t do great work.

The science is clear: when you feel good, you think better, focus sharper, and create more. Ali Abdaal calls this feel-good productivity: using joy, curiosity, and energy as fuel for getting things done.

Here are 15 practical techniques from his book you can try right away.

1. Ask: “What would this look like if it were fun?”

Turn a boring task into a game. Add creativity of some kind or a playful twist. Even something small can make work lighter.

2. Embrace side quests

Think of life like a video game. Add curiosity-driven mini adventures: take a new route, try a different café, or explore a new tool. Curiosity fuels energy.

3. Choose your play personality

Are you a Creator, Explorer, Storyteller, or an Artist? Identify your natural play style and design your work so it feels more like play.

4. Lower the stakes

Treat failures as experiments. Instead of “I failed,” think “That was one data point.” This removes pressure and keeps you moving.

5. Flip the confidence switch

When self-doubt creeps in, ask: What would it look like if I were confident? Then act it out. Often, the feeling follows the action.

6. Use self-talk like a coach

Talk to yourself the way a coach would. Say things like “You’ve got this” or “Almost there.” Positive words shift your energy.

7. Harness vicarious mastery

Before you start something hard, watch someone else succeed at a similar task. Seeing it done makes you believe you can too.

8. Find adventure in everyday life

Break routine. Try a new hobby, hike somewhere different, or explore your own city. Small adventures create positive emotions that carry into work.

9. Reframe failure with curiosity

When something goes wrong, ask “What did I just learn?” This makes failure feel like discovery, not defeat.

10. Add a spoonful of sugar

Pair hard tasks with something you enjoy. Do chores while listening to a podcast. A bit of sweetness makes the work go down.

11. Recharge deliberately

Energy is renewable if you protect it. Rest well, move your body, and take guilt-free breaks. Recovery is fuel, not a waste.

12. Don’t be serious. Be sincere.

Take your work seriously enough to be engaged but not so seriously that it becomes heavy. Sincerity keeps you motivated without the weight.

13. Align with what matters

Productivity is painful when your work conflicts with your values. Do more of what feels aligned and cut what does not.

14. Harness power through autonomy

The more control you have, the more energy you bring. Where possible, choose how and when you work. Even small freedoms boost motivation.

15. Remember the three energisers: Play, People, Power

Play makes work enjoyable. People give you connections. Power gives you control. Together, these are the foundation of sustainable productivity.

Until next time,

Noman Shaikh

P.S. If you found this useful, please share it with a friend who might need it.