Episode · How I Write · 2023-12-06
Books mentioned on A Productivity Master’s Guide to Writing | Ali Abdaal | How I Write Podcast
Books mentioned, in the order they came up
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Loonshots: How to Nurture the Crazy Ideas That Win Wars, Cure Diseases, and Transform Industries
Discussed“I was like, you know what? There's this other piece of advice I got from Safi Bahcall, I think, who wrote a book called Loonshots. Loonshots, yeah. Where he says FBR.”
Where to get it
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Thinking, Fast and Slow
Thinking, Fast and Slow by Daniel Kahneman is a seminal book exploring the dual systems of the human mind that drive how we think and make decisions.
Discussed“I just read Thinking Fast and Slow by Daniel Kahneman. Here's a summary of my key highlights, a thread. That kind of stuff. And they'll get millions and millions of views.”
Where to get it
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The Psychology of Money
The Psychology of Money by Morgan Housel is a bestselling financial book that examines how human behavior, personal histories, and pride shape monetary decisions rather than strictly mathematical formulas.
Recommended“I think most recent one has been The Psychology of Money, by Morgan Housel. So what does he do well there? What he does well there is that he's got a lot of chapters, 20 something chapters. 20 chapters actually.”
Where to get it
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Atomic Habits
Atomic Habits by James Clear is a widely acclaimed self-improvement guide focused on how tiny changes can produce remarkable results through practical behavioral strategies.
Discussed“The parable of the pottery class from James [inaudible 01:09:19]'s book. All of these things. You've got to put in the reps in order to get good.”
Where to get it
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The 4-Hour Workweek
The 4-Hour Workweek by Timothy Ferriss is a self-help and productivity guide that challenges traditional career paths and advocates for lifestyle design, remote work, and outsourcing.
Recommended“Probably the single most life-changing book I've ever read was The 4-Hour Workweek, by Tim Ferriss, and that was the book that got me on the path of realizing that I could build a business on the side while doing med school, and that could potentially make money and I potentially didn't even have to put that many hours into”
Where to get it
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Steal like an artist
Steal Like an Artist by Austin Kleon is a creative guide that encourages individuals to embrace influence, borrow ideas, and recognize that originality is often built upon a foundation of existing work.
Discussed“playing around with hundreds of titles like Austin Kleon's book, Steal Like An Artist. Can we all show your work? Can we do a phrase like that, make it fun?”
Where to get it
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Good Vibes, Good Life
Discussed“Good vibes? There was that book by Vex King called Good Vibes, Good Life. And I was like, good vibes, productivity? Maybe that could be.”
Where to get it
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Show Your Work!
Show Your Work! by Austin Kleon is a practical guide that encourages creators to share their everyday processes, build an audience, and embrace being a beginner rather than trying to act like an infallible guru.
Discussed“Yeah. I know you love this book, Show Your Work. Talk me through what about it was so game-changing for you?”
Where to get it
