Don't Sweat the Small Stuff for Teens [Abridged, Audiobook] [Audio Cassette]

Richard Carlson (Author, Reader)

Book Description

Publication Date: September 1, 2000

Richard Carlson has written numerous books encouraging folks not to"sweat the small stuff", and his title for teens is as warm, wise, and witty ashis previous works. His tone is one of an older family friend who manages toadvise while still maintaining the minimum level of coolness that teens requirefrom those who intend to guide them into adulthood. With 100 different chapters, each just a few pages in length, this littlebook works especially well as a bedside companion or tucked in a backpack forthe morning commute to school. Each chapter is devoted to a single, simple ideasuch as "trust your inner signals" and "root for the underdog," and plenty ofreal-life examples from teens are used to illustrate principles. In the secondchapter, a teen volunteering at an animal shelter is used to show how just oneperson can make a difference, as she takes the time for one more phone call thatresults in saving a dog's life. The concepts are appropriate for both early highschool students and new graduates--who doesn't need an occasional reminder to"be ok with your bad hair day"? Incorporating sports, theater, literature, videogames, teachers, and parents into stories make these examples accessible to kidsof all interests, and a sprinkling of tales from the author's own teenage yearsadds an effective personal note. With plenty of suggestions for addingactivities into a teen's life--volunteer opportunities in particular--your childmay even feel encouraged to seek out new forms of positive expression simply forthe joy of the activity, rather than the old standbys of "my friends are doingit" or "I need it to get into college." --Jill Lightner

Editorial Reviews

Amazon.com Review

Richard Carlson has written numerous books encouraging folks not to "sweat the small stuff", and his title for teens is as warm, wise, and witty as his previous works. His tone is one of an older family friend who manages to advise while still maintaining the minimum level of coolness that teens require from those who intend to guide them into adulthood.

With 100 different chapters, each just a few pages in length, this little book works especially well as a bedside companion or tucked in a backpack for the morning commute to school. Each chapter is devoted to a single, simple idea such as "trust your inner signals" and "root for the underdog," and plenty of real-life examples from teens are used to illustrate principles. In the second chapter, a teen volunteering at an animal shelter is used to show how just one person can make a difference, as she takes the time for one more phone call that results in saving a dog's life. The concepts are appropriate for both early high school students and new graduates--who doesn't need an occasional reminder to "be ok with your bad hair day"? Incorporating sports, theater, literature, video games, teachers, and parents into stories make these examples accessible to kids of all interests, and a sprinkling of tales from the author's own teenage years adds an effective personal note. With plenty of suggestions for adding activities into a teen's life--volunteer opportunities in particular--your child may even feel encouraged to seek out new forms of positive expression simply for the joy of the activity, rather than the old standbys of "my friends are doing it" or "I need it to get into college." --Jill Lightner --This text refers to the Paperback edition.

From Booklist

Gr. 9-12. A riveting motivational writer with several books for adults (Don't Sweat the Small Stuff . . . in love, at work, etc.) targets his "small stuff" concepts around teen issues, and the results are impressive. Without talking down to his readers or minimizing the intensity of difficulties they may be handling, he offers 100 insightful suggestions for dealing with everything from stress to recognizing the meaningful contributions in every moment of life. His message will surely resonate with teens, even those who are skeptical or uncertain about how reframing their thinking can change their lives. Carlson clearly holds teens in high regard in this small book with a big heart. Roger Leslie
Copyright © American Library Association. All rights reserved --This text refers to the Paperback edition.

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Product Details

• Audio Cassette
• Publisher: Hachette Audio (September 1, 2000)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1586210491
• ISBN-13: 978-1586210496
• Product Dimensions: 6.7 x 4.2 x 0.8 inches
• Shipping Weight: 2.4 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 4.2 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (24 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #2,947,348 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

During his life, Richard Carlson, Ph.D, was considered one of the foremost experts in happiness and stress reduction in the United States and around the world and was a frequent featured guest on such shows as Oprah, The Today Show, The View, NNC, CNN, Fox, PBS and over 2000 other shows.Don't Sweat the Small Stuff continued to be a publishing phenomenon with over 20 titles in the brand franchise, two of which were co-authored and authored with his beloved wife, Kris. He died of a pulmonary embolism in December 2006, at the age of forty-five.

The words "Don't Sweat the Small Stuff" have become a part of American Culture thanks to Richard Carlson's book that became a runaway best-seller and made publishing history as the #1 best-selling book in the United States for two consecutive years.
Don't Sweat the Small Stuff spent over 100 weeks on the New York Times Best-Seller list and is still considered one of the fastest selling books of all time and has sold over 15 million copies worldwide.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

115 of 115 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars For Teens and Everyone Else, September 11, 2000

By 

Beau Thurnauer "Beau" (Coventry, CT USA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Don't Sweat the Small Stuff for Teens: Simple Ways to Keep Your Cool in Stressful Times (Don't Sweat the Small Stuff Series) (Paperback)

Every night I sit down with my daughter (11) and son (13) and read. We have read classics, kids stuff, and some current trendy stuff. After reading several other Don't Sweat books I picked this one up to add to my evening reading with the kids.

Perfect selection. It deals with issues that every kid wants to talk about and presents them in a way that every kid will listen to.

My 11 year old comes home often with horror stories about what friend likes her today, what group does what to another group, how one girl hates another girl, and how can she possibly face it all tomorrow.

I counsel her, listen, feedback, and hug her. But she needs to know that what I am telling her is not unique. So when we read the chapters called "Drop the Drama" and "Check Out these Odds! (The Likelihood that Everyone Will Like You) she looked at me like I was a genius. She actually asked me if I knew the author.

Don't get me wrong. This book is great for a wide age range. I read it to my kids. The teen set (and beyond) will devour it.

Some of the issues in this book are so universal that they need to be taught in college or business school. The chapter that is called "Understand the Law of Focus" should be memorized by every student entering college. This chapter reinforces the basic of 'never obsess'. Know anybody that is so focused on one thing that they lose sight of everything else? Better read this part first.

Well written, to the point, and so very very relevant. Good for early grade schoolers to upper teens. It is by far the best Sweat book that I have read.

44 of 45 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars STRESS REDUCTION FOR TEENS, November 4, 2000

By 

Dorothy Weiss (ORLANDO, FLORIDA United States) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Don't Sweat the Small Stuff for Teens: Simple Ways to Keep Your Cool in Stressful Times (Don't Sweat the Small Stuff Series) (Paperback)

If you're "stressed out" and would like to look at ways to be a happier more contented person, you may find something in these pages that ring true for you. The book title indicates "for teens", but anyone could benefit from some of the author's suggestions. For example, when someone is talking, avoid the words, "I know."; or "dare to show enthusiam. Be a volunteer in your community-- find something that you really enjoy doing and do it! - Don't infect your friends with negative thoughts if you're in a low mood.-- Instead of making unkind, caustic comments, stay away from those close to you until you feel better; that way, you don't have to feel guilty, make apologies or re-ignite your stress worrying about any inappropriate hurtful words you might have used --Try some meditation or contemplation or yoga exercises to be more relaxed." Richard Carlson's hypothesis is- if you don't get stressed out about the small things, then dealing with more complex issues becomes easier. The book offers advice without lecturing and the topics are brief. One could read a few pages daily. Highly recommended reading. Quite inspirational, and not just for teens. Contains practical information for anyone

21 of 21 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars We Can All Learn and Benefit From Dr. Carlson's Philosophy !, October 6, 2000

By 

Irvin Goodman - See all my reviews
(HALL OF FAME REVIEWER)    (VINE VOICE)    (REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Don't Sweat the Small Stuff for Teens: Simple Ways to Keep Your Cool in Stressful Times (Don't Sweat the Small Stuff Series) (Paperback)

This is a brand new addition to Dr. Carlson's books on "not sweating the small stuff." This one is targeted to teenagers, but we can all benefit. I found that the way the book is set up is quite helpful. Each of the more than 100 topics is short, and you can gain the insight into his teachings on that topic in just a few pages and a few minutes. There are really practical tips for coping with peer pressure, dealing with everyday situations at school, work, play or home. He includes many examples of his own experiences as a teen and the best ways to handle them. He offers advice, but doesn't preach to you. The advice he presents is simple, full of wisdom for coping with situations the teen must deal with daily. One of his key factors in overcoming the "small stuff" is developing the ability not to be irritated, bothered, and annoyed by the day to day things that happen to all of us. He acknowledges that it's very tough to be a teen today, considering the numerous outside pressures to set you going down the wrong path. The techniques he offers won't make the pressures go away, but you'll be better able to deal with them. He goes into some detail about criticism, and how to handle it. There are tips in gaining self confidence. If you incorporate just a few of his many suggestions into your everyday life it can make a major difference in your life, your success, and those around you. Well worth reading.