Do One Thing Different: Ten Simple Ways to Change Your Life [Hardcover]

Bill O'Hanlon (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: September 22, 1999

Think of a problem in your life. Now solve it. That's not as crazy as it sounds, once you try the quick, supportive methods in this book by one of the developers of brief solution-oriented therapy. Best of all, Bill O'Hanlon says, you already know how! Simply "changing the viewing" or "changing the doing" of the problem using ten "solution keys" will put you back in control of your emotions and your life--even single-handedly change your relationship. Useful (sometimes bizarre) true stories show the process in action:

How thoughts of a farmhouse kept the author from committing suicide

How getting naked stopped a couple's nasty arguments

How getting up on the wrong side of bed made a woman happy (for a while, anyway)

And much more

Editorial Reviews

From Library Journal

O'Hanlon, a certified professional counselor, marriage therapist, and author of 16 self-help books (e.g., Love Is a Verb), here makes an interesting addition to the field. Written in short, lively chapters, his book is divided into three topical parts: changing the doing of the problem, changing the viewing of the problem, and applying solution-oriented therapy. Motivated by his own frustrations with traditional therapies (they didn't work for him as he struggled against suicidal thoughts in college), O'Hanlon devised a new therapeutic philosophy. In place of blaming others or treating people as victims or labels, he advocates a "solution-oriented therapy"Awhich calls for immeditate, seemingly random action. Each chapter consists of personal narratives, chapter summaries, and exercises for personal growth. Unusual but compelling; recommended for public libraries.ALisa S. Wise, Broome Cty. P.L., Binghamton, NY
Copyright 1999 Reed Business Information, Inc.

From Booklist

The theory behind the title of this book is solution-oriented therapy. Rather than probing the past and analyzing causes and effects of psychological problems and troubles, therapist O'Hanlon advises making changes in behavior in the present in order to feel better sooner rather than later. Using 10 "solution keys," he challenges readers to focus on the here and now and adjust behavior to change the situation. The author uses plenty of examples to show solution-oriented therapy in action. There is something to be said for taking action in times of trouble rather than wallowing in the many negative feelings that arise. One caveat: This shouldn't be taken alone as a prescription for those suffering from deep clinical depression or other major psychological disorders. Those persons need to seek help from professionals. Marlene Chamberlain

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Hardcover: 224 pages
• Publisher: William Morrow; 1 edition (September 22, 1999)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0688164994
• ISBN-13: 978-0688164997
• Product Dimensions: 9.6 x 6.5 x 0.9 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.1 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 4.4 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (21 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #703,926 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

Bill O'Hanlon, MS, LMFT, has authored or co-authored 30 books, the latest being Quick Steps to Resolving Trauma (W.W. Norton, October, 2010), A Guide to Trance Land (W.W. Norton, 2009); Pathways to Spirituality (W.W. Norton), Change 101: A Practical Guide to Creating Change (W.W. Norton, Fall 2006), and Thriving Through Crisis (Penguin/Perigee; winner of the Books for a Better Life Award). He has published 57 articles or book chapters. His books have been translated into 15 languages: French, Spanish, Portuguese, Swedish, Finnish, German, Chinese, Bulgarian, Turkish, Korean, Indonesian, Italian, Croatian, Arabic and Japanese. He has appeared on Oprah (with his book Do One Thing Different), The Today Show, and a variety of other television and radio programs. Since 1977, Bill has given over 1500 talks around the world. He has been a top-rated presenter at many national conferences and was awarded the 'Outstanding Mental Health Educator of the Year' in 2001 by the New England Educational Institute. Bill is a Licensed Mental Health Professional, Certified Professional Counselor, and a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist. Bill is clinical member of AAMFT (and winner of the 2003 New Mexico AMFT Distinguished Service Award), certified by the National Board of Certified Clinical Hypnotherapists and a Fellow and a Board Member of the American Psychotherapy Association. He is known for his storytelling, irreverent humor, clear and accessible style and his boundless enthusiasm for whatever he is doing.

Find him at billohanlon.com

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

121 of 121 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Very readable, Best Self-Improvement Book I've Read, January 12, 2000

By 

Ken Hart - See all my reviews

This review is from: Do One Thing Different: Ten Simple Ways to Change Your Life (Hardcover)

Originally, I got this for my girlfriend as a present. We started going through it together and found tools to help our relationship in the first few paragraphs. I've read many books dealing with self-improvement, therapy and relationships. This book has little or no "fluff" and "filler", and is full of very down to earth, practical things anyone can do to break non-productive patterns, whether it's inappropriate arguing, overeating, phobias or sexual issues. What's funny, is the book is full of stuff, that when you read it, you say, "of course, that's intuitive", but it's stuff that few of us seem to actually `do'. The only book I've ever rated 5-stars.

115 of 118 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Solution Oriented Techniques That Work, October 19, 1999

By 

Pat Gundry - See all my reviews

This review is from: Do One Thing Different: Ten Simple Ways to Change Your Life (Hardcover)

At last! I've been reading O'Hanlon's books written for therapists for years though I'm not a therapist, all the while hoping he'd write a change manual for the general reader. Here it is, and I'm so pleased. This book contains practical, respectful, gentle, yet oh-so-effective change techniques that anyone can use quickly and easily.

One of the things I love most about it is that it is solution-oriented, no preoccupation with "why" but focusing on "how," how to get what you want for yourself, and in your relationships.

I'm giving copies to several family members and buying extras to have on hand. It's that good.

46 of 48 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Down to earth help for everybody, October 15, 1999

By A Customer

This review is from: Do One Thing Different: Ten Simple Ways to Change Your Life (Hardcover)

This book really helps you to see that by making small changes in your life you can start on the road to making big changes. Bill O'Hanlon has managed to bring his professional expertise down to a level that anyone can understand and benefit from. I am excited to try his one thing different in order to make my life and the life of those close to me better.