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Summary and Reviews of Don't Sweat The Small Stuff by Dr Richard Carlson

Don't Sweat The Small Stuff by Dr Richard Carlson

Don't Sweat The Small Stuff

And It's All Small Stuff

by Dr Richard Carlson
  • Critics' Consensus:
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  • First Published:
  • Jan 1, 1997, 284 pages
  • Paperback:
  • Mar 1998, 255 pages
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About This Book

Book Summary

Dr. Carlson reveals ways to make your actions more peaceful and caring, with the added benefit of making your life more calm and stress-free.

Don't Sweat the Small Stuff -- and it's all small stuff is a book that shows you how to keep from letting the little things in life drive you crazy. In thoughtful and insightful language, author Richard Carlson reveals ways to calm down in the midst of your incredibly hurried, stress-filled life. You can learn to put things in perspective by making the small daily changes he suggests, including advice such as "Think of your problems as potential teachers;" Remember that when you die, your "in box won't be empty"; and "Do one thing at a time." You should also try to live in the present moment, let others have the glory at times, and lower your tolerance to stress. You can write down your most stubborn positions and see if you can soften them, learn to trust your intuitions, and live each day as if it might be your last. With gentle, supportive suggestions, Dr. Carlson reveals ways to make your actions more peaceful and caring, with the added benefit of making your life more calm and stress-free.

1. Don't Sweat the Small Stuff

0ften we allow ourselves to get all worked up about things that, upon closer examination, aren't really that big a deal.

We focus on little problems and concerns and blow them way out of proportion. A stranger, for example, might cut in front of us in traffic. Rather than let it go, and go on with our day, we convince ourselves that we are justified in our anger. We play out an imaginary confrontation in our mind. Many of us might even tell someone else about the incident later on rather than simply let it go.

Why not instead simply allow the driver to have his accident somewhere else? Try to have compassion for the person and remember how painful it is to be in such an enormous hurry.

This way, we can maintain our own sense of well-being and avoid taking other people's problems personally.

There are many similar, 'small stuff' examples...

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Reviews

Media Reviews

Amazon
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.

Library Journal
Stress consultant Carlson reads his self-help guide with conviction, his gentle voice clear and persuasive. He presents common-sense advice for living a less hectic and more meaningful, loving life. His essential message is that we get caught up in minutiae, "the small stuff," and never get around to doing what makes us or our loved ones happy....Tape quality is excellent. (about the audio edition).

Reader Reviews

kat Casteel

This book was given to me as a gift in my teenage years and I fell in love with it and now I don't sweat the small stuff. The book opened a new door for me. Thank you so much
Kristinak

I love inspirational books that you can read when you don't have alot of time.A great pick-me-up for movers and shakers.
Rachel Veronica Gabriel

Nancy

Don’t sweat the small stuff
Excellent tips!

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