Rating: 
Summary: KEEP THIS BOOK ON YOU!
Review: I love this book because it is so small that I can carry it with me in my purse. I like to get it out on a break at work and read a chapter on what I feel I need help with; it always picks me up and encourages me. What simple and brief yet wonderful advice! As I read I highlight the areas most applicable to me so that next time I read it I can read exactly what I most need to hear. Most chapters have a space that I use for notes and comments. Keep in mind that this is not a quick read. To make real changes in your life, I recommend this book should be read slowly, one to three chapters a day. When I first began, I tried to read straight through but it just goes in one ear and out the other. You have to read a chapter, stop, and think about it to best apply it to your life and make it work for you. One of my favorite chapters is chapter six: REMIND YOURSELF THAT WHEN YOU DIE, YOUR "IN BASKET" WON'T BE EMPTY. I think the whole world should read this chapter! Here is an sample: "SO MANY OF US LIVE OUR LIVES AS IF THE SECRET PURPOSE IS TO SOMEHOW GET EVERYTHING DONE....OFTEN WE CONVINCE OURSELVES THAT OUR OBSESSION WITH OUR "TO DO" LIST IS ONLY TEMPORARY--THAT ONCE WE GET THROUGHT THE LIST, WE'LL BE CALM, RELAXED AND HAPPY. BUT IN REALITY, THIS RARELY HAPPENS. AS ITEMS ARE CHECKED OFF, NEW ONES SIMPLY REPLACE THEM. THE NATURE OF YOUR "IN BASKET" IS THAT IT'S MEANT TO HAVE ITEMS TO BE COMPLETED IN IT--IT'S NOT MEANT TO BE EMPTY....REMEMBER THAT NOTHING IS MORE IMPORTANT THAN YOUR OWN SENSE OF HAPPINESS AND INNER PEACE AND THAT OF YOUR LOVED ONES. IF YOU ARE OBSESSED WITH GETTING EVERYTHING DONE, YOU'LL NEVER HAVE A SENSE OF WELL-BEING! IN REALITY, ALMOST EVERYTHING CAN WAIT...THE PURPOSE OF LIFE ISN'T TO GET IT ALL DONE BUT TO ENJOY EACH STEP ALONG THE WAY AND LIVE A LIFE FILLED WITH LOVE." The book is organized, in my opinion, to be read in any order you want. Some chapters may be useful to you and some may not now but perhaps later on in your life. I find it very motivational. I think you will enjoy it also. DON'T SWEAT THE SMALL STUFF...AND IT'S ALL SMALL STUFF--WORDS TO LIVE BY!
Rating: 
Summary: This is my handbook for life!
Review: This book is like a warm blanket on a cold night. I find so much comfort in it. I consider it my personal bible. I think to be able to pick it up and read any chapter anywhere is great. Richard has a way of giving such inner peace through his small chapters. Anytime I feel life taking over, or I'm getting too frustrated over everyday things, I can read my favorite chapters, which I have dogeared, and I feel enormous peace. I bought each of my children a copy and we often read it together. I want them to have the tools in life to cope, and to put things into perspective, in order to maintain peace and happiness. Whether you need to gain perspective with your partner, children, or just everyday life, this book will offer you many ways of finding a sense of calmness, in a short easy way. It's so full of common sense. I recommend it totally to anybody.
Rating:
Summary: OUTSTANDING
Review: This book is valuable to ANYONE. Sometimes we are so busy with life that we tend to let the littlest things bother us, when all we should be doing is enjoy what we have. If you just take one or two things from this book, it will enhance your life. This book is excellent!
Rating:
Summary: Helps One Gain Perspective
Review: 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.
Rating:
Summary: What a blessing!
Review: A friend gave me this book last year for Christmas, and it has been a real help. I read one of the chapters each time I have the chance, and find Dr. Carlson's gentle insights to be a grand source of peace, hope and anti-crabbiness. It is very simple, and that's the beauty of the thing. You don't need a doctorate in "self help" to understand and benefit from this book, just an open mind and the ability to recognize the need for growth. I work in a setting where many people come with problems and stress. I have recommended this gem to several of them, and each person has come back grateful and inspired by it. Although rather a cheap skate, I have also purchased a number of copies as gifts for friends and family, which shows how much I treasure its contents! Obviously, different people will be helped and touched by different approaches, but as a person who often suffers from being too tense, too stressed out, too much focussed on thought rather than feelings, I can honestly say that "Don't Sweat the Small Stuff" has been the best dose of peace and happiness I have ever come across.
Rating:
Summary: How to Survive the Bay Area
Review: I found this book a quick read. It's not a particularly deep book but it does have some practical advice for keeping things in perspective (a very good thing when one is unemployed and trying to provide for one's family). The bit that fascinated me the most is that the author is from the Bay Area so some of his specific examples hit very close to home.
Rating:
Summary: Don't Sweat it..It Probably Ain't Worth It
Review: A friend of mine suggested I get this book recently. I felt stressed in a number of areas in my life and when I started reading this I understood why she suggested it to me. Some of Carlson's thoughts and exercises are great and good reminders of what the real priorities in life are about. Learning to "let go" or thinking about the overall picture. I was worried about whether a relationship I'm in would work out or not and I thought of the "Will this really matter a year from now" exercise. And also the chapter on "The Snowball Effect of Your Thinking." A lot of the things in here are kind of common sense, but we never stop to think about these ideas. Things like "Choosing Your Battles Wisely" or "Becoming a Better Listener" just for example. This book is truly one about ways to improve your life as well as being able to step back, take a deep breath and enjoy life.
Rating:
Summary: A little gem of wisdom
Review: I'm the kind of person that has a hard time living in the moment, always planning and worrying about what I have to do next. I really liked the laid-back, relaxed writing of this author and the profound and simple truths we all seem to miss from day to day. "Stop and smell the roses" is what this book is really trying to say. I like a book I can pick up and read a few pages and feel refreshed. I work at a public library and have recommended this volume to many patrons. We have a reserve list a mile long, and can't keep any copies on the shelf. My favorite chapter was "Pretend you are at your own funeral." That really said a lot to me and I'm really trying to apply some of the simple truths of this great little book to my daily life. Bravo!!!!
Rating: 
Summary: Get the book, not the daily calendar
Review: I just threw this calendar away (and it's only Feb.). Half the page is taken up with lines to write on with the text and date very small. Buy the book instead - really good stuff but poor design for a day-to-day calendar.
Rating:
Summary: Helps One Gain Perspective
Review: 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.
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