Don't Sweat the Small Stuff by Richard Carlson
Presentation
It is a pleasant self-help book. Chapter titles make complete sense already, one can just go over its pages, speed read, and done. Richard Carlson's experiences and awareness of himself reflect throughout the book. It gives off a refresher vibe to everyday life. Insights are straight to the point, and worth quoting even.
Summary
Do not make small hassles snowball into big problems, but overcome them instead with small acts of kindness, patience, and understanding. Practice handling small irritable stuffs in perspective. Go beyond and transform them to our own advantage.
Purpose
It is not about being others’ doormat for the sake of peace, but more on having a mindful self-control over our tendencies to pass on to others our irritations, judgments, disappointments, and the little mishaps that make our days so bad.
What is more is our inclination to point out our superiority to others, thinking that we know better that we fail to listen but criticize right away instead. For what stress us so much are the anxious, hurried ways we deal with day-to-day minute inconvenience.
It tells me not to argue but respond accordingly and still keep my cool, not to overreact or blow it out of proportion.
Catchy words and phrases in the book:
Word/Phrase
| Definition
|
|---|---|
anthropologist
| makes a conscious effort and attention to be intrested in others' behavior and way of life
|
welcomes diffferences
| |
does not pinpoint what is thought of as appropriate or acceptable
| |
moves beyond comfort zone, experience and knowledge
| |
back burner
| a mental box where concerns and problems are temporarily stored when they come one after another
|
where solutions are brewing without the pressure
| |
where problems are solved one at a time
| |
snowball mentality
| self-defeating chain of thoughts leading to confusion, frustration, or rebellion
|
help ritual
| healthy habits and treats to self to stay focus and loving
|
eye of the storm
| composure when everything seems to fall apart
|
disposition to remain calm while others panic
| |
inner stable radar
| |
breathe then speak
| moments to breathe before commenting on what is said
|
a chance to pause and reflect
| |
speaking without the rush
| |
listen
| to wait for our turn to speak
|
not cutting the conversation short because we want to get away with it
| |
agreement with criticism
| letting negative feedback slide
|
agreeing when there are hints of truth about how and who we are
| |
weatherproofing
| when we rant about the hassles in everyday life, relationship, in people
|
much attention to those we do not like
| |
patience period
| conscious exercise of patience when needed
|
prolong waiting instead of snapping head on
|
© 2011 chelle
