Customer Reviews

Don't Sweat the Small Stuff and It's All Small Stuff: Simple Ways to Keep the Little Things from Taking Over Your Life

5 star:		(136)
4 star:		(49)
3 star:		(8)
2 star:		(8)
1 star:		(13)

 

 

This is one of the most useful books for a person that is depressed or not understanding of how simple your life can be, if you control it.

Even the title of this book hints at gaining a broader perspective when life's frustrations occur. A famous quote from William James firmly establishes the book's theme: "The greatest discovery of my generation is that a human being can alter his life by altering his attitude" (p. 1). Carlson builds on James' observation by telling us that fear, worry, and doubt eat up a tremendous amount of energy, thus robbing us of creativity and productivity. Getting outside one's self is the route to gaining a fresh perspective. We're reminded that by doing good to others, we feel better about ourselves. Another hint is in living in the present, for fear resides in the future. He includes a section on the Christian virtue of patience. Carlson argues that a clear mind reduces stress and allows for more fun. He tells readers to see difficult situations as challenges in life and goes on to encourage the random acts of kindness we hear about. A lot of his teaching is based on what the Bible teaches, however he doesn't present it in a Christian framework. Since it is largely solid advice, it is to be heeded and as it is, one's quality of life is improved.

Regardless of what's going on in your busy life, Don't Sweat the Small Stuff is worth a daily look. I make it a point to review at least one topic a day and have always come away with some great advice for the challenges at hand.

You'll want to have a copy on your desk and start the day with one of the many capsules provided Richard Carlson. And despite the simplicity of the advice you will reap big dividends in understanding yourself and others.

Simple and easy to understand and practical tips on how to lead a more joyful and harmonious life -work, home, relationships, tout.

everyone should read it once, some people should read it over and over again for the rest of their life.

This book changed my girlfriends perspective on life, and has made her a happier person. I never read it personaly but it indirectly made my life a lot better and stress free. "Happy wife, Happy life."

very good book,you can read it over and over again.The book is well written direct to the point and its not flowery unlike the other books.thanks richard carlson.

I got this book for Christmas and really like it. I haven't finished it yet as I keep it in the living room and read it here and there. And I must say, it's a very motivating, umcomplicated self-help book. It's not the kind you have to sit down and read cover to cover either, rather it's a book you "sample" a few pages of- as the book is divided up into very short stories, each containing a gem of wisdom.

A classic that lives on, I give it 5 stars for its timeless values and inspiration. Readers interested in other inspirational books might also like The Sixty-Second Motivator as well.

Don't Sweat the Small Stuff is an easy to read tool to assist with gaining a little perspective for those whose minds are constantly running, worrying about every detail, and finding themselves feeling the negative health effects of such a busy mind.

I wouldn't necessarily describe the 100 pieces of advice "meditations" as Amazon does, as that, at least for me, is more of a different process. When I suggest this book to patients, I tell them to read a couple of the topics, and then practice putting them into action. Sometimes it takes sitting down and thinking about them, but the change is in the action, not just reading the book.

What I don't like about the book is that it is has religious tones to some of the topics. I would have preferred a non-denominational book so that all of the topics are relevant to individuals of all religious beliefs. That beings said, they are few and far between and do not tend to take away from the overall benefit of the book.

Reading these pieces of advice and putting them into practice is a great first step to shifting your perspective in terms of how you look at stress, and how your prioritize what needs to be worried about, and what doesn't.

I was going through some tough times in my life when a neighbour loaned me the book. I enjoyed it so much that I purchased my own copy as I wanted to read it again and flag portions that had the most impact for me. It was a very helpful book in making me realize a lot of the problems I was letting get me down was just Small Stuff!