Editorial Review

Got a stress case in your life? Of course you do: "Without question, many of us have mastered the neurotic art of spending much of our lives worrying about a variety of things all at once." Carlson's cheerful book aims to make us stop and smell--if not roses--whatever is sitting in front of our noses. Read more

Reviews (225)

Extremely Powerful!
Don't be deceived by the seemingly innocuous title.This is indeed a very powerful book.This book takes positive thinking to a new level.As you read it you may find something deep inside that 'clicks', or you may feel that you have known this all the time, but never quite knew how to put it into words.
Brilliant!
I have never really been the type to embrace all the countless and mindless self-help books being spewed out by every other know-it-all, but I happened to land this little pocket sized bad boy in my carry-on luggage for a 9 hour flight. I read it, and I have to say I was overwhelmingly pleasantly surprised by what I was left with after diving into this book. I can not at all see where the previous reviewer of this book talks about "lists" or whatnot, there simply are none, these are brilliantly concocted tidbits and stories from both the authors own life experiences as well as others, that make the reader look at a lot of life's ups and downs in a WHOLE NEW light. For instance I could not agree more with the notion that a lot of people, including me, have the tendency to make trivial incidents into major life-altering emergencies, things that we won't even remember the next day are blown out of proportion sending us to an early grave! Instead of almost getting a heartattack because you spilled your morning coffee all over the floor, how about you just wipe it up and pour a new one? When I read this I had to stop and think, because funnily enough exactly this had happened to me, and I was reminded of how I had almost blown my top that morning, but now it was something I most likely would never have thought of again had I not read this book.
this is for the high strung, or quick tempered, or negative minded
This book simply puts things in their proper place.I actually purchased one for a co-worker of mine who seems to be a lil on the hot tempered, negative side.Its a GREAT HELP! ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Behavior modification    2. Careers - General    3. Conduct of life    4. General    5. Human relations    6. Peace of mind    7. Psychology    8. Self-Help    9. Stress (Psychology)    10. Stress Management    11. Self-Help / General   

Reviews (30)

Just in time
I'm going through a difficult time at work. All the people in my department who were here when I started a year ago have left and I'm the last one left. The new hires are gossips and backstabbers and I found myself stooping to their level. We have evaluations and our first staff meeting meant to blame and accuse others coming up. I found this book just in time. Alot of this is positive reenforcement of concepts most people know but its great to have the reminder to me about how people behave and when to just let the small stuff go and its a great pick me up. I keep my copy in my purse and read it on breaks when co workers are getting me down.

Another Excellent "Don't Sweat" Book
Here is a small gem in the self-help arena.Richard Carlson, psycologist and author, has invested himself in helping people find more joy and peace in life.He promotes stress reduction and 'success' through slowing down and worrying less.He has penned a series of "Don't Sweat" books.This installment focus on the work place.In it, Carlson record 100 tips, tricks, attitudes, etc. that will, if used, reduce help you reduce your stress level at work and perhaps make it a more enjoyable experience.Here are a few samples:
Don't Sweat the Small Stuff at work
The book was wonderful shape the only thing was they charge you more for shipping than it actually on the shipment envelope. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Business / Economics / Finance    2. Business Life - General    3. Conflict management    4. General    5. Human relations    6. Job stress    7. Personal Growth - Happiness    8. Self-Help    9. Stress Management    10. Coping with stress    11. Self-Help / Stress Management   

Editorial Review

Richard Carlson has written numerous books encouraging folks not to"sweat the small stuff", and his title for teens is as warm, wise, and witty ashis previous works. His tone is one of an older family friend who manages toadvise while still maintaining the minimum level of coolness that teens requirefrom those who intend to guide them into adulthood. Read more

Reviews (17)

better than i thought
When my grandma first gave me this book, I thought it was gonna be another useless book saying "just be yourself" and all that [...]. But this book actually has substance and I was surprised that I actually got something out of it. Recommended to any teen on the "emotional roller coaster" who needs some guidance in their life.

Outstanding
I always read books I get for my daughter first to confirm that I got her something right/good for her.This one is no doubt a winner.The titles of each chapter were catching enough to make you curious as to what you were about to read and then the story you read were a great explanation to the sometimes funny and odd titles.The story in each chapter was absolutely great. They were short enough to keep any kids attention, make a good lesson and walk away feeling good that you learned something new and were inspired.The really great thing is, my 13 year old who usually complains about sitting still and reading because she'd rather be actively playing sports, isn't complaining a bit about winding down and reading this book.She loves that most chapters are only 2-3 pages each, but even better, she is mimicking what they are teaching and I'm loving it, too, as a mom.This is a great read, a great inspiration and a lot of the stories are what these kids can relate to.I plan to buy it as a gift to others, but I'm not sure if I should get it for the parents or the kids.

Wonderful Read!
This book definently helped me to chill out with certain struggles and people in my life. This book is a wonderful read for teenagers, because it suggests, not tells, how teenagers take things, and how they should act in certain situations. I would definently recommend this book to any teenager, or parents of their teenagers, who are struggling to find themselves, and also who are struggling in dealing with life. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Children's 12-Up - Psychology / Counseling    2. Children's Books/Young Adult Misc. Nonfiction    3. Children: Young Adult (Gr. 10-12)    4. Conduct of life    5. Juvenile Nonfiction    6. Psychology    7. Social Issues - Adolescence    8. Social Issues - Emotions & Feelings    9. Social Science - Psychology    10. Stress (Psychology)    11. Stress management for teenager    12. Stress management for teenagers    13. Teenagers    14. Family & Relationships / Teenagers    15. Self-Help   

Reviews (38)

Powerful and Easy
I really like what Carlson has to say. Very refreshing. Some of his ideas, while not all new, are very powerful. Takes the focus away from introspection and the past, and makes life both more practical and easier as well as more enjoya.
A Wonderful Book!
This book dispels the confusion that has wrecked too many lives.It offers five key principles all readers should embrace in understanding the wonders of life.
Good advice, but...
I have to agree with all of the reviewers below: This book has some valuable insights.And because I am not unfamiliar with the concepts (see my review of "Napkin Notes on the Art of Living") I was interested to read a different presentation of similar material.Yes, we control our thoughts, our thoughts affect our moods, and feelings are a good indicator of when our thought process has derailed -- ie we're not living in the moment.And with a lot of patience and practice, we can navigate even the hardest things in life with more grace.But there were times while reading that my little voice said "This guy is making it sound way too easy...OR he's way too happy..."He insists that ignoring your low moods or negative feelings isn't "denial" but "deferral" of dealing with those feelings until you're in a better frame of mind, but often we aren't given that luxury.I worked really hard to maintain respect when, in two or three lines, he described how he was able to cope when a dear friend died in a car crash on the way to standing up to his wedding.Was it really as easy as he makes it sound?Human beings are complex, and often overwhelmed by feelings.So while this is good advice for many of life's ups and downs, I suspect the more complicated scenarios will require a bit more. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Careers - General    2. Contentment    3. Happiness    4. Joy and sorrow    5. Personal Growth - General    6. Personal Growth - Happiness    7. Psychology    8. Self-Help   

Editorial Review

This little book packs a lot of love advice. "Whatever shape your relationship is in--from troubled to absolutely wonderful--it can be even better, with very little effort," promise husband and wife Richard and Kristine Carlson. (Richard Carlson's original Read more

Reviews (22)

Helpful and Insightful Essays
"Don't Sweat the Small Stuff in Love" is a collection of 100 two- and three-page essays. Each essay is a simple yet effective tip intended to make a relationship stronger or more enjoyable. Many of the ideas are perhaps overly obvious or simplistic, but they are all presented with examples and text that make them appear worthwhile and effective.
Keep 'em coming, Carlson.
This is the best Wedding Gift ever. If you feel it's too puny, include it in something else. But then again, I'm prejudiced - I give books for every occasion. The Carlsons' "love" advice can nip bad habits of newlyweds in the bud. A lot harder to change direction once the ball's in the air. Don't Sweat is something you can read every year as a reminder - those old habits die hard!

Love Advice from a couple
The majority of this book is written by the man, who holds a Ph.D. His wife offers a few well-written chapters as well. Each chapter is devoted to one aspect of not "sweating the small stuff." Why aren't we told these things *before* we get married? I liked that there were male and female points of view adn it was spread into many easy, short chapters. I highly recommend this wonderful book! ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Family & Relationships    2. Family/Marriage    3. General    4. Love    5. Love & Romance    6. Love / Sex / Marriage    7. Man-woman relationships    8. Family & Relationships / Love & Romance    9. Self-Help   

Reviews (16)

Read this book and keep on re-reading it
Dr Carlson has written many self-help books aimed at helping us to find the stable state of happiness that naturally exists within us all. He has now written this book specifically for those of us who suffer from depression. The book contains practical truths that are so obvious that most of us miss them or at least bypass them in the rush of our everyday lives. If you are suffering from depression this book will help immensely. Richard Carlson will show you how your state of depression is as much perpetuated by your own thinking as it is by any chemical imbalance that may or may not exist. I have read this book at the same time as receiving treatment with an SSRI anti-depressant (Cipralex). While I am unsure if the SSRI has benefited me at all after 6 weeks, I am certain that this book has changed my outlook completely after two weeks and that it continues to do so more and more with each re-reading. If I allow myself to slip back into my old ways of thinking, the severity of my depression rapidly returns. The good news is that it just as rapidly alleviates when I get back on track with my thinking. The book is simple to read and may seem repetitious. However, if you are one of Dr Carlson's target audience of sufferers from depression you should read this book and keep on re-reading it. You will find that on each re-reading something will leap out at you with greater meaning than it did before. I have highlighted many sentences so that I can rapidly re-read them, and have noted down the keywords on the title page. This way I can pull myself back on track quickly. The approach takes some work to put into practice but there is nothing as hard work as being in a depressed state. The hard work, by the way, is only in terms of changing your habitual modes of thinking, it does not involve making lists and analysing things as do many cognitive (i.e. thinking) approaches such as that found in Feeling Good: The New Mood Therapy by David Burns. I have found Dr Burns's book to be of some use also, mainly because it has helped me to identify particular types of cognitive distortion that help perpetuate depressive illness. This enables me to more accurately recognise when I should dismiss my thoughts, as Dr Carlson recommends in his approach. If you are depressed, low, angry, resentful, dissatisfied, unfulfilled, stressed, hurried, fearful or just not happy most of the time then read this book and keep re-reading it. I only wish this book had been available when I was aged twenty rather than forty.

Not just for the depressed, but for anyone who thinks...
This is a life changing book. It shows how our thoughts create our perception of life. Our perception of life is our experience of life. It doesn't go overboard and claim their is no objective reality outside our thoughts, as some new age teachings do. However, it does say that it's not the circumstances of our lives, but our reactions to them. It does repeat it's central ideas several times, but sometimes it takes a while for something to sink in. I really liked the chapter on wisdom. My only problem with this book is the subtitle, because I read this book when I wasn't depressed and still got tons out of it. It could be read by anyone who wants to think optimally and discover happiness in life. I am only writing this review, because I have the hope that someone might read it and get solid info about living a better life. Carlson is influenced in his writing by a school of psychology called Psychology of Mind. Psychology of Mind is based on the concepts originally presented by Sydney Banks. I think this is the most clearly writtenof the Psychology of Mind books. However, if you read this book and like it I would reccomend any of the books from the Psychology of Mind authors (e.g Wisdom Within by Roger Mills, Divorce Is Not The Answer by George Pransky). Also check out Sydney Banks website and books.

A MUST READ!
Never has something I've read had such an impact on my life as this book has. In fact, I would never have imagined that a book could have this much impact on my life! ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Depression (Psychology)    2. Depression, Mental    3. Personal Growth - Happiness    4. Popular works    5. Psychology    6. Self-Help    7. Self-help techniques    8. Diets & dieting    9. Self-Help / Happiness   

Reviews (4)

Protecting Yourself From the Irritations of Life
How do women become so wise and resilient? And why do we sweat the small stuff so much? Is there some balance, some moment when you realize that most of it is all small stuff? Happier Women
This cheerful book aims to make us stop and smell--if not roses--whatever is sitting in front of our noses. It is just like the other series of "Don't Sweat" books but with a women-minded twist. It offers meditations designed to make us appreciate our lives, keep our emotions in perspective, and cherish other people. I also highly recommend "Open Your Mind, Open Your Life: A Little Book of Eastern Wisdom" by Taro Gold. If we all followed the guidance in these books, we would be happier, more harmonious women.

Lightweight Advice
Well-meaning, I suppose, but very lightweight advice. Take a hot bath. Breathe deeply. Drink decaffinated tea. Please. Nothing new here. A nice little book for someone who's pretty oblivious to the world around them. Sorry to be jaded; but nothing here that would seriously stop the sweating! Maybe it would stop mild perspiration, but not real sweat! ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Conduct of life    2. Peace of mind    3. Personal Growth - Happiness    4. Psychology    5. Self-Help    6. Stress Management    7. Women    8. Self-Help / General   

Reviews (1)

LOVE IS WHAT YOU MAKE IT!
As a counsellor, I have heard couples express time and time again, "there just isn't enough time."We all have twenty-four hours in a day; how we choose to spend those hours is our choice.In today's hectic, fast-paced world, we have a lot on our plate.Careers, children, parents, friends, chores, community activities, the list of priorities seems endless.So often we make the mistake of allowing life to control us, rather than taking control over our life and often the people who fall last on the list of priorities are your partner and yourself.Through all our daily turmoil, it is important to remember that happy, fufilling relationships do not just happen, they need to be nourished and tended with loving care so they will continue to flourish and grow. Read more

Subjects:  1. Couples    2. Domestic relations    3. Interpersonal Relations    4. Man-woman relationships    5. Marriage    6. Psychology    7. Self-Help    8. Stress Management    9. Marriage, family & other relationships    10. Self-Help / Stress Management    11. Sex & sexuality   

Editorial Review

This is the book for you if you've ever had the urge to tell off your boss, quit your job, hurl your Palm Pilot into the trash, and move to a farm. Written by bestselling stress consultant and psychotherapist Dr. Richard Carlson Read more

Reviews (16)

Stop and smell the roses
In this fast pace world we live in we tend to forget to stop and smell the roses.We live our lives planning our next days activities without truly sitting back and gazing at awe of the world around us at the only moment we know.Despite our best efforts to manage our time we ultimately fail.
book review
Excellent content. easy to read and understand allowsme to understand how destructive our thoughts can be, leaving us with emotions that result entirely from our thoughts raise an awareness of our thought process allowing us to contain our emotions hence our behaviour

Shows the importance of will power and mental focus
This book teaches readers how to change their mindsets to become more calm and more content. Downplaying technology and material items, the authors suggest controlling your life through your thoughts and actions. The book discusses the mental aspects of simplicity, not specific actions that you can take. It stresses the importance of being autonomous and not using material items as crutches; the book does not address the need for exercise or awareness of your surroundings. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Lifestyles    2. Motivational & Inspirational    3. Personal Growth - General    4. Psychological aspects    5. Psychology    6. Quality of life    7. Self-Help    8. Simplicity    9. Stress Management    10. Time    11. Self-Help / Motivational   

Reviews (4)

Help is here...
let me begin by saying that there is good advice in Help is here...
let me begin by saying that there is good advice in Another useful book by Carlson that applies to men AND women
Enjoyed reading DON'T SWEAT THE SMALL STUFF FOR MEN by Richard Carlson . . . this is the latest in Carlson's "small stuff" series, and it does not disappoint . . . he continues to offer simple ways to minimize stress in a competitive world . . . they seem to make sense, at least to me, and can be applied to virtually any situation . . . although directed at men, I think women would also benefit from reading it . . . by the same token, methinks men could benefit from reading the companion DON'T SWEAT THE SMALL STUFF FOR WOMEN (written by Carlson's wife Kristine) . . . I know that I'll be looking for it.Read more

Subjects:  1. Conduct of life    2. General    3. Men    4. Peace of mind    5. Psychology    6. Self-Help    7. Stress Management    8. Self-Help / General   

Editorial Review

Sure, Richard Carlson's bestselling Read more

Reviews (4)

Awesome book for College/University students!
By Richard Carlson, PH.D (printed in the United States. Published by Hyperion, 77 W. 66th Street, New York, New York 10023-6298 (previously published as `Don't Worry, Make Money').
work!!!
It really is a "WORK" book.It takes alot of thinking and quiet time to answer the questions and to go back and analyze what you have written down.Too much work for me.I guess this book would be good for someone who has alot of extra time on their hands to ponder their life.I do not have that time.

Disappointing
As a student of Buddhism, I found much of the content in this book to be diluted Buddhism.Basically, it's Buddhist teachings without the Buddhism in it.I'm sure it helps many people, but for me it was diappointing -lacking in depth and substance. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Behavior modification    2. Conduct of life    3. General    4. Peace of mind    5. Personal Growth - General    6. Personal Growth - Happiness    7. Problems, exercises, etc    8. Psychology    9. Self-Help    10. Stress Management    11. Self-Help / General   

Reviews (3)

Best Self-Help Book, and I have read many,...too many.
As I have written in several book reviews of the self-help genre, nearly all such books are wordy, repetitive, and should be condensed to booklets. (That will never happen; imagine the profit margin of a booklet compared to a full-sized paperback or hardcover.) THE MOST BENEFICIAL SELF-HELP BOOK I'VE EVER READ!
Thank you Richard Carlson for writing this book.It was a joy to read, thanks to your knowledge and your wit.I believe the answers to leading a richer and happier life are right here in the pages of this book.I likenthis book to AA for alcoholics, Weight Watchers for dieters and SmokeEndersfor smokers.It is also a program that is presented in a clear and simpleformat, using basic terminology, yet its messages are profound in theirimpact towards attaining true peace of mind and personal fulfillment. I'veknown many people throughout my life (including myself) who put theirhopes, time and money into traditional psychotherapy, only to become morehindered than helped through the process of reiterating and dredging up oldwounds.Practicing the principles of this book regularly is cheaper andeasier than a therapist and it is almost guaranteed you will find positiveresults.

A practical approach to managing stress, anger, and pain
Carlson, best known as the author of "Don't Sweat the Small Stuff", provides an upbeat and amazingly simple set of techniques for dealing with the angers and pains we carry with us, sometimes from earliestchildhood. First, he shows us how it is our thinking about a problem thatcauses us pain, not the problem itself. Then, he presents 10 steps forfreeing ourselves from the thinking trap and along the way finding joy andpleasure in our lives. Carlson is a compassionate and cogent writer whoavoids both technical jargon and psychobabble. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Behavior modification    2. Contentment    3. General    4. Personal Growth - Happiness    5. Psychology    6. Self-Help    7. Self-actualization (Psychology    8. Self-actualization (Psychology)    9. Coping with personal problems    10. Popular psychology    11. Self-Help & Practical Interests    12. Self-Help / Happiness   

Reviews (5)

Inspiring, truly soul nourishing
This book is wonderful.I bought it a few years ago when I was just browsing and not really looking for anything special. The title drew me in.This culmination of writers and various points of view on how to nourish your soul really makes you think.It's helped me find peace in so many ways.It's helped remind me what is important in life and how to be good to myself.

This is a book you will refer to over and over again!
I picked up this book when I was at a low point in my life. It awakened me to a new way of seeing - both myself and the world around me. Handbook for the soul is a wonderful collection of short essays, by various people, all with the same message. It is one of my most favourite books and I highly recommend it!

Great book for anyone looking for "something more"
This is an excellent anthology of essays by many accomplished scholars (see the list of names above). Some are psychotherapists, some former ministers, and some psychiatrists; many are simply inspirational writers.This is a calming book with eclectic selections that will suit most tastes. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Devotional    2. Meditation    3. Religion - Inspirational/Spirituality    4. Self-Help    5. Spirituality - General    6. Self-Help & Practical Interests    7. Self-Help / Meditations   

Features

• Bargain Price

Reviews (15)

Nothing Very New
This is a good, quick summation of things you may have read in self-help books, especially those dealing with cognative psychology. However, it contains nothing very surprising.

A Bit Zen
It's odd to give about the same number of stars to a little self-help book as to Anna Karenina, but for it's genre it's pretty good. It's probably 3.5 stars, but I rounded up.
Sharon Taylor
After I read this book, I told everyone I know about it. It is a simple book that makes you think. Everyone should read this book.I think it is a great gift forgraduates. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Applied Psychology    2. Behavior modification    3. Conduct of life    4. Personal Growth - General    5. Personal Growth - Happiness    6. Personal Guidance    7. Psychology    8. Self-Help    9. Self-Help / Happiness    10. Bargain   

Reviews (15)

Become a Master of ALL Possibilities
Dr Chopra details a highly readable and easy to follow "map" of creating affluence in every area of our lives. He claims that reading the entire book once through, then subsequently reading 5 pages daily will, if adopted as a lifelong habit... attract wealth!
Save your money !.. Read some Physics books instead
This tape is really waste of money. I liked some tapes from Chopra but here he is loosing total focus about what he is talking about.
The Secret to Affluence
This is it, the book that you have been looking for. If you have ever sought the true secret to experiencing affluence in your life, you will find it in the pages of this book. Don't be fooled by any of the Chopra detractors, this book is even greater then you can imagine. Read and reread this book and unleash your creative potential. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Applied Psychology    2. Audio Adult: Books On Tape    3. Capitalism    4. Inspiration & Personal Growth    5. Meditations    6. Personal Growth - Success    7. Psychological aspects    8. Self-Help    9. Unabridged Audio - Self Help    10. Wealth    11. Advice on careers & achieving success    12. Mind, body, spirit: disciplines & techniques    13. Popular psychology   

Features

• Abridged
• Audiobook

Reviews (1)

Great quick read
This is a great book for anyone needing to get to the source of help they need quickly. I use it often as a fast refresher and as a constant guide in my daily endeavors, whether it be professional or personal.I recommend this to all who are starting in management, sales, or just simply wanting to improve your outlook on life and reduce stress.But you don't have to take my word for it.....(Reading Rainbow theme in background...) ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Abridged Audio - Self-Help    2. Audio Adult: Books On Tape    3. Audiobooks    4. Business Life - General    5. Conflict management    6. General    7. Job stress    8. Personal Growth - Happiness    9. Self-Help    10. Stress Management    11. Unabridged Audio - Business/Professional    12. Self-Help / General   

Subjects:  1. Family / Parenting / Childbirth    2. General    3. Interpersonal Relations    4. Man-woman relationship    5. Man-woman relationships    6. Marriage    7. Married people    8. Psychology    9. Self-Help    10. Stress Management    11. Marriage, family & other relationships    12. Self-Help / General   

Reviews (1)

Great Program for Adults with ADD and ADD Coaches
The ADD Audio Coach program is a wonderful AD/HD resource. It is an excellent alternative for those with AD/HD who are not quite ready to work with a live AD/HD coach.
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Subjects:  1. Self-Help / Time Management    2. Attention deficit disorders    3. Attention-deficit disorder in adults    4. Organizing    5. Self-Help    6. Time Management   

Subjects:  1. Calendar    2. Calendars & Diaries    3. Motivational & Inspirational    4. Non-Classifiable    5. Self-Help / General   

Reviews (4)