A new approach to self help
919550
Certainly an interesting paradigm  that life can be played as a game in weekly episodes and with the reader as the game player moving forward from Sunday to Sunday putting into action all the suggestions from the previous  Sunday.  Why Sunday? Well because this is the universal day of leisure according to the author, and a day on which we are able to visualize relaxation and self improvement and open our minds to suggestions of better things and ways of doing things. I guess this is the difference between this and more conventional self-improvement books.

I found some of the short suggestions rather abstract and difficult to follow and having working my way through this book, Im not sure it made much of a difference to my life. I think the concept of life as a game was a bit too existential for me to truly embrace and my advice to anyone considering working through this book is to be prepared to have a completely open mind before during and after reading it.
168478
NOTE:  I received a free copy of this book to review for the web site Metapsychology Online Reviews; you can read a more detailed version of my review on that site.

In this self-help book, authors John Preston and Melissa Kirk encourage readers to be actively involved in their own treatment.  Thus each chapter which follows is filled with detailed, proven behavioral changes which those struggling with depression can implement in an attempt to produce a resulting improvement in mood.  Although the authors acknowledge that when one is depressed, one may have little motivation to attempt positive action, they make this process as easy as possible by providing specific advice as well offering useful exercises.  The areas of change which the authors address vary from making healthy lifestyle choices (e.g., sleep, nutrition, and exercise), incorporating cognitive strategies, enhancing self-esteem, managing intense emotions, improving social skills, to preventing relapse.  Particularly useful is the information on recognizing negative thought patterns, the suggestions for clarifying one's own value system, the basic overview on developing a mindfulness practice, and the very detailed information on becoming more aware of body language and engaging in more adaptive social communication, both of which would be especially helpful to those experiencing some social anxiety in addition to depression.

In their discussion of relapse, Preston and Kirk emphasize two basics of self-care (sleep and exercise) as well as stress the importance of having a support person involved.  They also suggest goal-setting as a means of maintaining balance and continuing progress.  The authors conclude their book with two Appendices, one which lists Medical Disorders That Can Cause Depression and one which lists Drugs That Can Cause Depression.  (Note:  the authors strongly recommend that anyone with depression first see a medical professional for a complete physical to rule out possible medical causes for their depression.  They also emphasis the importance of professional help in the treatment of depression, particularly for those with severe depression.)  Overall, this short book (with References, it's just under 140 pages) offers just what it promises--i.e., a practical self-help guide to the treatment of depression.  As a psychologist working in a college counseling center, I wouldn't hesitate to recommend this book to my student clients.
2816870
Loved it!  I have read lots of books about self improvement, goal achievement and law of attraction. This book offers a new way to approach all of these. It's so simple.
2014288
This is a great book. It offers ways to view your situation and try to help move your self to the next level. I recommend it to any one trying to look for their next step.
3762862
This is a wonderful guide to living with yourself and others..  The seven steps to help you are easily explained and not difficult to follow.  The book gives interesting case studies of persons who have used these seven steps to better their lives.  It is a good reference book to objective introspection and positive results.
4156658
This deceptively simple book uses parables that have been around forever to offer tips on overcoming negative thinking and related problems in living.  It is surprising how the parables, invented long before psychotherapy existed, are understandable, as the author explains, in terms of cognitive behavioral psychotherapy.  Stanley then goes on to offer exercises for each of them that use relaxation and visualization to augment the real power of the parables, simultaneously highlighting the fact that they always were directed not only at the intellect, but at the unconscious, where deeper change must take place.
2943206
For those just beginning to look into the self-help genre, this is a good start.  Information is presented in a compact, straightforward manner. As short as this book is, the author did a great job explaining the process of meditation, for instance.  I liked how she went through it step by step.  Even more helpful was the way the author went through the possible distractions a person might have while meditating and methods of handling those complications.  I found that part of the book to be easy to understand and useful.

If you have read a few books about being lonely or unhappy though, this is probably information you have already heard.  Some tips mentioned are altering the way you view loneliness or taking up a hobby, for example.  This seems like good advice but wisdom I have already come across.  More importantly, because of the book's length, the author doesn't go into extensive detail on these subjects to provide new insight.  At one point, she writes that, if curing loneliness were easy, we all would have done it by now.  That's true and well said.  Unfortunately, I found the book to be more generalities than specific pieces of advice or methods to making my life better.
3725073
This is a great book which provides an formula like approach to better living through the basic refusal to complain.  I found this to be a refreshing book that provides an uplift feeling through the message conveyed that you can change yourself.
4273796
An interesting book. Although I'm not usually a fan of self-help gurus, this one actually has something  to say. This companion workbook is further help to those who like to really get into something.
935428
I do enjoy self-help books that focus on improving your life or improving your outlook on life, so I decided to pick this one up, and I wasn't disappointed. Dr. Sean Young takes a scientific approach and breaks down a process for changing your life for the good and eliminating needless mistakes or incidents that can have negative effects on you physically or emotionally. I found this book to be unique in the way the author describes each step you can take to improve your life. The examples given were extremely accurate and helpful, and the process was broken down into terms anyone can understand and apply to their own lives. I found great benefit from reading this book, and I think most other people will too. In fact, I think many readers will keep this book for a while and reference it to remind themselves of how to change their lives for good.
138160
I highly recommend this book. Potential benefits include healthier relationships, success in business, and improved emotional health.

It goes without saying that following Darlene Lancers Ten Steps to Self-Esteem will increase self-esteem. It offers a minimum of theory and explanation with a maximum of practical steps. For me, however, the books value went beyond that.

The idea of treating a self-critic as another person, turning an adversary into a friend and coach, was a new idea for me. So was recognizing a self critic as potentially a well-intentioned entity that needed understanding and compassion.

I think the most important aspect of Lancers advice for dealing with a self-critic is to evaluate the critics criticism using such questions as the following:

  Are the rules or standards that your critic judges you by reasonable and universal?
  From whom or where did you learn those rules and standards?
  Do you agree with them?

I don't think such examination would occur to most people.

From personal experience, I can attest to the effectiveness of Lancers advice about gratitude. In the best and worst of lifes moments, listing the many reasons to be grateful is healing and affirming.

Lancer offered me expanded insight about something I have noted as an educator and observer of the human condition. I have noted that even children who cannot alphabetize can recite the alphabet because of the alphabet song. What I learned from Lancer is that rhymes integrate the brains right and left hemispheres to enhance holistic brain function. I also learned that adding memory can stimulate emotion and evoke alpha and theta non-ordinary brain waves that increase memory and learning.

Thanks to the author for the insights, reminders, and a practical path to self-esteem.
3616587
Taming Your Inner Brat is a refreshing change from most self-help books. You won't find any "its all my parents' fault" here. Nor will you find a set of affirmations telling you that just need to love yourself more and everything will be fine.
This book takes a hard look at what is really behind your bad habits, problem tempers and other self-defeating behaviors and thoughts. It's the "inner brat," a remnant of early childhood, the part of you that never grew up. This inner brat wants what it wants when it wants it. It pouts, sulks, gets angry and blames others when it doesn't get its own way - just like a bratty child.
Everyone has an inner brat, including me, I now realize.
While not written specifically for the workplace, Taming Your Inner Brat addresses common personal and interpersonal problems that spill over into the office. Things like procrastination, resentment, jealousy, making mountains out of molehills, and even being on a diet all interfere with our working at our best.
The book has a quiz that helps you estimate the strength of your own inner brat. There is also a chapter illustrating the different "personae" of inner brats, and how they affect the way you perceive and react to situations. Toward the end of the book are several do's and don'ts for taming your inner brat. "Don't always trust your feelings," urges the author, because your inner brat can manipulate the way you feel. Instead, she suggests distracting your inner brat and talking back to it in specific ways. More help is available through a free, monthly email newsletter. Sign up at innerbrat.com
Taming Your Inner Brat is mainly about how to regulate your own feelings and impulses. But it also includes a chapter on how we became such a "bratty" culture that demands instant gratification and blames others when things go wrong. This is an interesting backdrop that shows how we got here, but at the same time, it does not let us off the hook for personal responsibility for our actions.
Besides being informative, Taming Your Inner Brat is entertaining and easy to read. It's written by a clinical psychologist in a straightforward, no-nonsense style reminiscent of Dr. Phil, but with a more gentle and humorous tone. Without scolding, this book shows you a new way to look at your problems and to better manage them. When you're done reading it, you'll probably think of at least half a dozen other people who need to tame their inner brats.
463830
Very good,  can be a life changer,  this book gives you the tools to improve  your self and help others
187367
Nice, short and concise book which is great for self help to get rid of old thinking patterns. I learn something new about myself each time I read it.
3719735
I have seldom been as  pleased with a "self help" book as I have been with this one. Although its prime purpose appears to be the prevention or "cure"for depression it really is a primer of "life 101".
3333721
I found this book to be very different from most so-called "self help books."  I found out about the book from the authors wife.  He had done business with me and that ultimately had me working with his wife.  Having met both of them, I found them to be very kind, humble, caring people.  So, naturally I was interested in reading the book.
I have worked with the techniques and have downloaded the suggested charts.  I can see them already making a big difference in my life.  I have also purchased and given the books to my daughter and daughter-in-law.
I would definitely recommend this book to anyone who is interested in learning more about his or her self and in making lasting and significant changes in his/her life.
32794
If you have read my other reviews you will know I have read 100's of self help books over the years. I am a business consultant, peak performance expert, entrepreneur and University lecturer amongst other things. As such I read books in order to improve my knowledge and the advice I can give others. I ordered this book via the Vine programme in the hope I may end up learning something new about how the mind can create happiness without all the positive thinking garbage that some book push.

The saying, "A mind can make a heaven out of hell or a hell out of heaven" is something I strongly believe in. We are in fact masters of our own happiness through the way we view the world around us. I started reading about how cognitive belief systems can control the world we see many years ago when I read Psycho Cybernectics by Maxwell Maltz. The premise of this book is that the way a person sees themselves and so thinks, affects the self esteem and so affects every part of their life, including the ability to be happy. The problem with most motivational/self help books are that they assume that by setting goals, thinking positively and using mantra like affirmations people can achieve anything they want to achieve. The great falsehood with this, is that for many, past programming and the way people view their pasts is the critical block which goal setting does not address. Most people who are unsuccessful/depressed/going nowhere etc assume the problem is outside of them, so by using most motivational books they put the responsibility to be successful on somebody else's "system", without first realising how they are thinking is the cause of the dissatisfaction.

This book by Oliver Burkeman is very different, as the author clearly states from the outset that he is not offering the reader a foolproof way of becoming successful, what he offers is wise advice on the topics of "Happiness". The premise of the book is in order to become happier you must stop chasing happiness and embrace all the things that can go wrong in your life and just accept them. In essence it is very similar to Buddhist thinking of detachment of thought and becoming a mere observer of your thoughts...."What we resist we get more of in our lives...." is the idea. By embracing problems we in essence can detach ourselves from the self made negative connotations/interpretations of how WE see disasters in our own lives. Maltz in Psycho Cybernetics claimed that a damaged self image is the core reason for so much failure. By detaching from the negative thoughts/connotations of problems that affect the self image and so changing how we see ourselves, we in essence slowly embrace happiness by becoming less anxious about how we see past. Does it work? The author gives no promises but I think it will certainly help an individual find greater peace in their lives and so help repression of negativity, which is always a good thing.

This book is very different from most self help books. I think it should be read in conjunction with Psycho Cybernetics as this will give the reader a better understanding of how the mind can "Make a Hell out of Heaven and a Heaven out of Hell." It is a very motivating read and it should help the reader become happier with their lives by embracing problems.

Highly Recommended.