How You Feel Is Up to You: The Power of Emotional Choice [Paperback]

Gary D. McKay (Author), Don Dinkmeyer (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: October 1994

The coauthors of the 3-million-copy bestselling Step series provide practical information and tools to help readers take responsibility for their own emotions. Of particular benefit to those who are depressed, anxious, stressed, or hostile, this step-by-step guide shows how to choose and change feelings.

Editorial Reviews

Review

...I would recommend this book 'off the shelf' to anyone looking for help in making emotional changes in their life... -- Robert Armstrong, The NASAP Newsletter, The North American Society of Adlerian Psychology

...a gem of a book... practical advice for how to choose the life you want to have. -- Jon Carlson, Psy.D., Ed.D., ABPP, Distinguished Professor, Governors State University, IL

...a practical self-improvement 'tool kit'... also an eye opener in considering how others around you may feel. -- Rocky Ford Gazette, Rocky Ford, CO

...a winner! ...self-help books make a difference in people's lives... clearly one of the best to be published... -- Len Sperry, M.D., Ph.D., Professor of Psychiatry, Medical College of Wisconsin

...manage strong negative emotions...choose to increase joy and happiness instead of dwelling on past pain. -- Newsmaker Interviews

...provides practical information and tools to help readers take responsibility for their emotions, including enhanced awareness of feelings... -- The Addiction Letter

...well-considered manual that critics are calling, 'one of the best self-help books in years.' -- Joint Forces Journal

The best little self-help book I've seen in a long time. -- Bernard H. Shulman, M.D., Adler School of Professional Psychology

Unusually clear and practical methods to help you overcome emotional problems and lead a hell of an enjoyable life! --Albert Ellis, Ph.D., President, Albert Ellis Institute, New York City --This text refers to an alternate Paperback edition.

About the Author

GARY D. MCKAY, PH.D. (Tucson, Arizona), is the co-author of eleven books and programs, including RAISING RESPECTFUL KIDS IN A RUDE WORLD and SYSTEMATIC TRAINING FOR EFFECTIVE PARENTING (STEP), the world's leading parent education program. He is a licensed psychologist and a diplomate in Adlerian psychology (North American Society of Adlerian Psychology). Dr. McKay has conducted workshops for his publications in North America and Europe.

DON DINKMEYER, SR., PH.D. (1924-2001), was a pioneer in the fields of elementary school counseling, Adlerian psychotherapy, classroom guidance, parent education, group counseling and marriage enrichment. He authored and co-authored 35 books and 125 professional journal articles, as well as psychological education programs like STEP in the areas of parenting, marriage enrichment, classroom guidance, and teaching. Dr. Dinkmeyer received lifetime achievement awards from several professional organizations. --This text refers to an alternate Paperback edition.

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Paperback: 278 pages
• Publisher: Impact Pub (October 1994)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 091516681X
• ISBN-13: 978-0915166817
• Product Dimensions: 7.9 x 5.4 x 0.7 inches
• Shipping Weight: 8.8 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (2 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #2,420,524 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

Gary D. McKay, Ph.D. (Tucson, Arizona) is the co-author of twelve books and programs, including HOW YOU FEEL IS UP TO YOU, RAISING RESPECTFUL KIDS IN A RUDE WORLD and SYSTEMATIC TRAINING FOR EFFECTIVE PARENTING (STEP), the world's leading parent education program. He is a retired psychologist and a diplomate in Adlerian Psychology (North American Society of Adlerian Psychology -- NASAP) who conducts workshops for his publications in North America and Europe.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

39 of 39 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars An effective, highly recommended book., April 6, 2000

By 

Midwest Book Review (Oregon, WI USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: How You Feel Is Up to You: The Power of Emotional Choice (Paperback)

Dr. Gary McKay and Dr. Don Dinkmeyer are practicing psychologists who have co-authored several books. How You Feel Is Up To You: The Power Of Emotional Choice is their latest offering, in which they teach readers how to gain control of their feelings. They say their book "is designed to help you gain control over your strong unpleasant emotions--guilt, anger, depression, stress, anxiety--and increase your joy and happiness. The doctors first discuss emotions, explaining how and why they're created. They then show how negative emotions can be replaced with positive feelings like joy and happiness. The trick is in learning how to change your thinking. Five basic principles are the key to changing the way you think. First you must learn to accept your feelings and yourself, then remind yourself to live in the present, rather than the past. Thirdly, you need to recognize the purpose of negative feelings. Then you need to become aware of your thoughts, and finally, develop a plan for change. Each of these principles is fully discussed, with detailed instructions and exercises for incorporating them into your life. Self-discovery exercises are sprinkled throughout the book, to help guide you through the steps. The doctors also provide real-life examples from their privatepractices. McKay and Dinkmeyer say that "choice is powerful; it sets you free." They explain that "while you may be able to do little or nothing about a change that results from external circumstances in your life, you can decide how you will respond. Your response is in your control." They offer practical help in learning how to gain control of your responses, so that you can choose your emotions. Readers who are tired of anger, depression, guilt, and all the other familiar negative emotions will find How You Feel Is Up To You an effective teacher of the skills they need for making healthier and happier choices. Sandra I. Smith

31 of 33 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Practical, Powerful, and Effective, September 11, 1997

By A Customer

This review is from: How You Feel Is Up to You: The Power of Emotional Choice (Paperback)

I am a marriage and family therapist and I highly recommend this book. It is the best book on managing emotions and putting the individual in control. Particularly the chapter on anger was incredibly useful and gives the skills to transform a person who feels any emotions (ie. anger, depression, anxiety, etc.) are out of balance. I have recommended this book to many of my clients and have witnessed dramatic results as a result of them using these principles. Rick A. Jass, MA