Book Review: "Don't Sweat the Small Stuff...and it's all small stuff" by Dr. Richard Carlson

*Get the book on Amazon here*

Dr. Richard Carlson has the best intentions in this fluff-filled little book, suggesting to people how to live a stress-free, happy life. Unfortunately, Carlson often doubles up on his suggestions and offers up some strange strategies that often conflict with his own sage advice.

There are 100 little one-and-two page strategies to improve your life. The title comes from some advice Carlson was once given, that many little things in our lives are blown up into huge things. However, Carlson gives the exact same length to topics like being nice to others as he does to the joys of taking care of a house plant. It often is not enough. In one strategy, he will suggest listening to another's problems and letting them vent, and then later suggest not trying to solve everyone's problems. We should spend all of our free time with those we love, but keep time out for yourself. Cut back on your activities and reflect, yet get involved with charity and service and give something back. Carlson will often repeat topics as well, mentioning the same Mother Teresa quote twice. One of his strategies calls on the reader to write heartfelt letters telling others how much you love them. If I received a letter like this from someone I have not had much contact with lately, I would be more worried about whether that person was saying goodbye to this cruel world than anything else. I had seen Carlson on TV talk shows (he died far too young in 2006), and he came off as very knowledgeable and sincere, but after many dozen one and two page strategies, your eyes will finally glaze over as the helpful sap gets a little deep.

Don't sweat the small stuff, and this book is just that. I cannot recommend it.