Helpful but not life-changing
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This is a fairly helpful book, but quite repetitive despite being short, and it could easily be summarised on one piece of paper (in fact, I did). One of the key messages is ignore (not suppress) negative thoughts, wait for low moods to pass, and don't try to do anything important, like taking decisions, when you're in a low mood. And if it doesn't pass? No answer in the book. There is also rather a contradiction within a page or two when Carlton first says "don't trust your feelings when in a low mood", and then "your feelings are an unvarying accurate guide to the state of your thought". Worth the price of a beer or two, but it doesn't tackle the root cause of unhappiness, which in my view is usually wanting things you haven't got (and usually don't really need). There is no chapter on how to deal with unfulfilled wants or desires and be satisfied with what you've got.
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Amazing! It all became clear
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I have read some of his work before with 'don't sweat the small stuff' and enjoyed his style of writing. Because of this and the reviews I had read on this particular book, I knew I had to get it. Oh what a great decision that was!
This book makes you realise and understand just how powerful our own thinking is and how it can instantly effect our mood and how our mood can effect our thinking. Please get this book, you won't be disappointed
If you would like to learn much more about our thinking patterns and how to positively control them, I HIGHLY recommend Cognitive Behavioural Therapy for Dummies'
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Perhaps the only 'self help' book you will ever need.
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This relatively small book contains more instantly-usable wisdom than the aisles and aisles of other so-called 'self help' titles I've trawled through. I went through a brief bad patch last year, and realised that, at 32, it was time to learn about my own psychological functioning and how to take charge of my own experience of life. Over several months, I read a few great titles on depression, self-esteem and general life coaching. However, this book contained more usable wisdom than all of the others put together. Perhaps it's the fact that I'd read the others beforehand; but I doubt that. In the first few pages, I was thinking "this is it!" I'm no self help book junkie, but if you're looking for a book that will help *you* to change your own experience for the better in a way that not many people are aware they're capable of, this is the one.
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Reader from Berkshire (uk)
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Wow, what a book!! I heard about Richard Carslon through another Author called "Dave Pelzer", he mentioned him in one of his self-help books. I purchased this book and was unable to put it down! I am suffering with Depression and have had it for several years. Im undergoing regular counselling and am trying to get my life into perspective. I have read a lot of "Self-Help" books and this book was by far the best read I have had in a long time. Richard is a very clever man, his views/opinions and thoughts about life are amazing, his techniques are not something that you would think about for yourself unless prompted to do so, and even then you would need a reason to look at your way of thinking in the first place. Richard gives you the answers to your questions and really makes sense with everything he is saying. Throughout the book you feel as though he has read your mind. You begin questioning yourself, your attitudes and your beliefs, not for being wrong, but for what they could be... he even gives you techniques to try to do yourself. I was getting to the stage whereby I did not think anything was helping me, but after reading this book, I was very impressed and am slowly attempting to gain another perspective on life. A brilliant book, that if you brought for the same reasons as I did will take you far.
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The best ever book about improving your state of mind
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This little book is a gem. If you are a moody person - and who isn't - then read it. If not, read it anyway. I can't think of book which has helped me sort out my thoughts in the way this one has. It's hard to summarise what reading it has given me but perhaps the main thing it's taught me is to let my brain work for me while I get on and enjoy life instead of always 'thrashing' my brain for answers. Carlson not only dispenses a little wisdom but shows us how to access our own. A must!
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