Dr Ali, a fresh junior doctor, found himself alone on duty on Christmas Day. The ward was bustling with patients and their needs, and he was struggling to keep up. The situation reached a climax when he accidentally dropped a pile of medical supplies. At that moment, he realized that he needed to rethink his approach or face the possibility of failing in his profession.

Previously, Ali had always held the belief that the key to success was to work harder. However, on that Christmas night, he found himself revisiting his old notes on productivity and questioning whether this belief was misguided. He recalled a piece of advice from his tutor, which suggested that if a treatment isn't yielding the desired results, it might be time to reconsider the diagnosis.

This led Ali to question the widely accepted notion that success necessitates hardship. He came across the "broaden and build" theory, which posits that positive emotions can enhance creativity and productivity. This theory, proposed by Barbara Fredrickson, suggests that feeling good can expand one's awareness and develop cognitive resources.

Ali realized that fostering positive emotions could be the first step towards achieving more. Positive emotions can provide energy, alleviate stress, and enrich one's life. This concept of feel-good productivity is a novel approach that emphasizes wellbeing as a driving force for motivation.

The concept further elaborates on how to invigorate oneself through play, power, and social interactions. It provides strategies to combat procrastination by tackling feelings of uncertainty, fear, and inertia. Moreover, it offers insights on how to maintain productivity over the long term and prevent burnout.

Rather than providing a strict to-do list, Ali encourages adopting a philosophy of self-application. By understanding what brings joy and satisfaction, one can transform both their work and personal life. The idea of feel-good productivity revolutionizes the traditional approach by demonstrating that it's possible to learn to swim, even when it feels like you're drowning.