The Power  of Productivity

The Power of Productivity

You might be forgiven for thinking that Ali Abdaal doesn’t need to be any more productive. In his late twenties, he has already graduated in medicine from Cambridge University, hosts a popular YouTube channel, broadcasts a weekly podcast with his brother, writes a weekly email and blogs on his website. His subjects are wide-ranging - from medicine, playing the piano and guitar, to tech, studying, entrepreneurship and, yes productivity. We caught up with Ali in his London home, where he talks us through his daily routine, how he stays healthy and productive, and what his advice is for a productive 2022.

“We all want to be more productive, right? I first got interested in how productivity can help live happier, healthier, and more efficient lives when I was studying at Cambridge University to become a doctor. I had way too much stuff I wanted to do ⁠-⁠ student societies, socialising, sports, and that minor niggle of passing all the exams ⁠-⁠ so discovering the world of productivity really helped me juggle multiple things all at once.

Everyone deserves to have a fantastic 2022, so use these tips to get you started.”

— Ali

Prioritise Positive Distraction

“When I was at university, I used to find myself drowning in long study sessions for hours at a time. I realise that while that might help me get a slightly better mark, it wasn’t a healthy habit. So, I started to study with my door open. It meant that my friends would pop in for a chat. These were distractions but they were welcome ones, and it meant I stayed connected with my friends, not just the exam material. Prioritising relationships over work is never a bad thing (although you DO still have to get that work done eventually!)”

Do One Thing

“We’ve all been fed the myth that we should be constantly multi-tasking to be effective. I’m here to tell you that in fact, the opposite is usually true. When my to-do list is overwhelming me, I ask myself this simple question: What’s the one thing I can do today that’ll take the largest load off my shoulders? By sorting out a single activity to complete each day, I feel lighter and happier because I have actually completed some tasks that were weighing me down.”

Optimise for Fun

I take inspiration from a book by Derek Sivers called 'Hell Yeah or No'. Basically, any time I'm presented with a choice, if I don't immediately think 'hell yeah' then I try to say no. This means I end up doing far more of the things I really want to do which are usually fun or interesting. I also find ways to make whatever I'm doing more fun. For example, turning something into a game can make it easier to complete. Having a pleasant working environment can really help you out – adding green plants will boost your mood and creativity, and the right kind of music can make all the difference. I love an epic movie soundtrack to get me going!
I'm writing a book about this actually ⁠-⁠ it's all about how we can use insights from psychology and neuroscience to make whatever we're doing more enjoyable, because when you're having fun, productivity takes care of itself.

Buy (and Read) a Book

I’m in the process of writing the first draft of my book, and it’s been a real challenge in beating imposter syndrome, procrastination, perfectionism and all the other stuff that we struggle with. Austin Kleon’s “Keep Going” is a lovely, quick read that I revisit every few weeks whenever I need some inspiration to continue the creative journey. So, whether you’re a big reader or you’ve not picked up a book since school, reading just this book will help you make 2022 your most productive year yet.

Invest in Your Space

An ergonomic chair and desk set up really helps to mitigate some of the effects of sitting for extended periods of time. I used to get quite a bit of lower back pain towards the end of a workday, but I bit the bullet and invested in a Herman Miller chair a few years ago, and within a few days of sitting in it, my lower back pain had vanished. I love the Aeron Chair ⁠-⁠ once adjusted to the right settings, it genuinely feels like I’m not even sitting down, almost like floating on a cloud.

And regularly switching positions is super important too. I got a height⁠-⁠adjustable desk 3 years ago and I’m never looking back. If I feel fatigued from sitting, usually after an hour, I’ll grab a coffee and continue working standing up. Regularly changing working positions is great for our posture and general health.

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