Your space, your story: Ali Abdaal

In a world overflowing with productivity hacks and endless to-do lists, it’s easy to mistake being busy for being effective. Few people understand this better than Ali, an entrepreneur, YouTuber, and bestselling author of Feel-Good Productivity. Through his videos and LifeNotes newsletter, he shares practical insights on work, productivity, and building a balanced life. In our conversation, Ali unpacks what it really means to work efficiently. From structuring your day and minimizing distractions to designing a setup that keeps your energy high, he offers advice that’s both actionable and refreshingly simple. Explore the habits and tools that can help you get more out of your workday without sacrificing well-being.

Imagine a situation in which an employee with no prior experience of working from home is faced with the first day of performing professional duties remotely. What tips and tricks would you give them? What should they keep in mind?

Working from home can feel liberating, but it’s also a potential minefield for distractions. Here’s what I’d do:

• Build structure: Create a clear start and end time for your workday. This helps separate work from life, even if they’re happening in the same space.
• Set up a dedicated workspace: Even if it’s just a corner of your room, having a consistent place to work signals to your brain that it’s time to focus. Try and get out of the house, I love working from coffee shops.
• Take breaks intentionally: The Pomodoro Technique (25 minutes of work, 5 minutes of break) can be great for staying on track.
• Minimise distractions: Keep your phone out of reach unless you absolutely need it for work. Apps like Opal can help block distractions too.

How do Oakywood’s products make a real difference in your work and productivity?

For someone who spends hours at their desk, a standing desk like the one I’ve been gifted has been a game-changer. Switching between sitting and standing throughout the day keeps my energy levels up and helps prevent that dreaded afternoon slump.

What is your must-have when creating your workspace, and which products would you point to as a minimum? Do you have any specific design elements that help you stay focused?

For me, a must-have is a functional desk setup. This can be:

• A good standing desk for flexibility.
• A monitor and laptop stand to maintain good posture.

As for design elements, I love having warm lighting and a few plants around, they make the space feel alive. I also keep my workspace minimalist and clutter-free. A messy desk leads to a messy mind.

Does the meticulous organisation of your work duties give you space for spontaneous activities? How do you deal with unpredictable life situations?

Productivity systems are not rigid frameworks but tools to create freedom. I always leave buffer time for spontaneity.

What practices or habits help you maintain a healthy work-life balance, and what advice would you give to someone struggling with it?

I try to create boundaries between work and personal time. Setting a hard stop to work at a specific time. Blocking time for personal activities, like exercise, socialising, or just chilling.

What are your thoughts on the pressure to always be productive? How can one break free from that mindset without feeling unproductive?

True productivity isn’t about doing more; it’s about doing what matters.

To break free, I recommend defining what “enough” looks like for your day. Acknowledge your wins, however small. And remember, downtime isn’t wasted time, it’s what fuels your ability to perform well when it matters.

What’s your advice for someone who feels constantly “busy” but never seems to accomplish much?

If you’re always busy but not moving forward, you might be mistaking activity for progress. Try this:

• Write down your top 3 priorities for the day.
• Focus on completing those before anything else.
• Use time-blocking to protect your schedule and avoid distractions.

What is one productivity myth you wish people would stop believing?

That you need to wake up at 5am to be productive. Productivity isn’t about the time you wake up, it’s about how you use the hours you’re awake. Find a schedule that works for you and stick to it.

The 3 books you have recently read are...?

The Pathless Path by Paul Millerd.

Grit by Angela Duckworth.

The Almanack of Naval Ravikant by Eric Jorgenson.

Thank you for taking the time to answer our questions!