Don’t Sweat the Small Stuff by Richard Coulson Book Review
A Self-Help Book
First published in 1997, Don’t Sweat the Small Stuff by Richard Coulson is a self-help book that enables the reader to put their struggles into perspective in order to enjoy life and appreciate others. The book features a selection of excellent ideas to help the reader avoid problems. There are over 100 ideas that are captured in brief essays and the book has reached critical acclaim.
Dealing with The Strain of Modern Life
It particularly focuses on the stresses of modern life and day-to-day problems that people encounter. Even though people may seek help through retreats, meditation, yoga or taking vacations, those feelings of being refreshed soon diminish. The book is about empowering people to keep those positive feelings for as long as possible – avoiding feeling anxious or angry. It also focuses on making the most of time, so people don’t feel burnt out by doing too much and learn how to switch off from the pressure of modern life effectively.
Calm and Balance
The biggest question that the book covers is how to bring calm and balance into life. It also reminds the reader that it is entirely natural to experience stress and anxiety and rather than banishing those feelings, or dwelling on them, learning to accept them and use them positively. As well as featuring a collection of self-help essays, the book covers lots of doable strategies to incorporate into life so that stressful periods are more manageable.
Building In A Golden Hour
One of the suggestions is to get up earlier. Carlson grants himself a golden hour every day where he gets up earlier than the rest of his family and utilizes the time positively by indulging in a relaxing pastime such as reading, meditating, or just contemplating the day ahead without interference or distraction. Going for a walk at sunrise or listening to some soft and relaxing sounds or music is one of the methods that Carlson teaches to prepare for the day ahead. This is especially useful if the reader knows that there will be a busy or difficult day to come. Readers have commented that just by incorporating a golden hour into their day, it has changed their perception of life.
Stop Living Life In a State of Emergency!
It also contemplates how most people live life in a constant state of emergency, especially high achievers. Being peaceful and more loving to others can help and this is one of the elements that Carlson teaches. It disables frantic thinking in order to motivate and reach real success, without panicking. Carlson also talks about surrounding himself with positive minded people who are gentle in their approach and have a relaxed attitude, these people are successful in their own right and Carlson uses their examples for the reader to take note of. His belief is that by reaching inner peace, it is easier to achieve goals.
Stop Interrupting Others
Another lesson Carlson teaches is not to interrupt others and to listen. This helps a person to become more in-tune with other people’s thinking and be more loving towards others. It is a surprisingly easy habit to develop but like every other lesson in the book, takes practice to perfect.
Live Life in the Present
Learning to live life in the present is yet another important lesson that Carlson communicates pointing out that by constantly thinking about the future, people forget to appreciate the moment.
Being Bored Can Be Good!
Boredom is also discussed, and that people don’t feel they should be bored – yet it is important to also reflect vacant moments. Human beings should allow themselves periods of time to be bored because used properly, those moments are excellent for clearing a busy mind and allowing the mind to create new thoughts and ideas.
Accomplishments are yet another area that Carlson focusses on, encouraging readers to consider their accomplishments as achievements – even the small achievements like remaining calm in a crisis or not panicking when there is too much work to do. It teaches to be considered and to collect ones’ thoughts rather than feel frustrated.
Using Criticism Positively
Other strategies that Don’t Sweat the Small Stuff teaches are to be open to new ideas, and also to criticism rather than becoming emotional when criticized. To acknowledge that perhaps people need criticism to grow positively. Additionally, the book covers feeling grateful, graceful, and allowing the feeling of happiness.
Don’t Sweat the Small Stuff is an excellent therapy book that will benefit everyone who reads it, encouraging people to really learn about themselves and question their thoughts and feelings so growing as a person. You can buy the book on Amazon by clicking on this link: https://www.amazon.com/Sweat-Small-Stuff-Richard-Carlson/dp/0786864249.
A Self-Help Book First published in 1997, Don’t Sweat the Small Stuff by Richard Coulson is a self-help book that enables the reader to put their struggles into perspective in order to enjoy life and appreciate others. The book features a selection of excellent ideas to help the reader avoid problems. There are over 100…