Customer Reviews

Why Your Life Sucks

5 star:		(23)
4 star:		(1)
3 star:		(0)
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1 star:		(2)

 

 

When I first saw this book, I was a little turned off by the title. It implied that my life sucked--and it didn't! However, I was too curious not to look. I'm glad I did.

We all have areas in our life that "suck". They are the uninvestigated thoughts and assumptions we have made that are a part of our reality. These, in turn, affect our decisions and perspectives. As a result, we often sell out, self-sabotage, and put up with things that suck our energy. It's these "little foxes that spoil the vine", to borrow from the Bible, that often eat at our enjoyment of life and its blessings.

I'm glad that the publishers of this book, The Jodere Group, were brave enough to allow for the title. "Suck" is an oft-used word in American culture, but it has the stigma of being crude slang. Yet, Cohen maintains that there are many aspects of life (including "energy vampires") that can literally suck the vitality right out of us--leaving us feeling drained, tired, anxious, depressed, angry, cheated and empty.

It took me awhile to get through this book because there are so many wise nuggets to absorb. I had my highlighter out, and soon realized this is a book that is not to be consumed quickly. Don't get me wrong: it's not difficult reading. Cohen writes in a friendly, conversational style--as if he's sitting in the living room with you. He uses personal stories, examples of well-known people, and quotes from others. (And he's also hilarious!) But what makes it a book to read slowly is that it contains such practical wisdom and advice for every area of life: relationships, money, vocation/work, spirituality, creativity, personal empowerment, sex, and so on.

Why Your Life Sucks is divided into 10 Chapters or reasons why your life may suck. Each Chapter/Reason then has sub-sections that cover the areas of how your life sucks and what you can do about it.

For example, Reason 1 that your life sucks is that You give your power away. The how of giving your power away is:

You put people on a pedestal.
You imitate instead of create.
You don't listen to your intuition.
You let others choose for you.
You think your destiny depends on something outside of you.

He then shares ways to plug up the proverbial leaks in your bucket, so you're not sucked dry. Here are a few gems I highlighted just in Chapter 1:

Physical death is mandatory, but spiritual death is optional.

If you don't use your mind, someone else will.

Drop what you've been taught so you can remember what you know.

Your true strength resides in holding your power in the midst of those who have abdicated theirs.

In the long run, you are the one who will have to live with your decisions, so make sure they represent your true desires.

Here are the other 9 reasons that your life may suck:

Reason 2: You expect it to suck
Reason 3: You get fooled by appearances
Reason 4: You waste your energy on things that suck
Reason 5: You keep trying to prove yourself
Reason 6: You say yes when you mean no
Reason 7: You think you have to do it all yourself
Reason 8: You try to fix other people
Reason 9: You starve your soul
Reason 10: You forgot to enjoy the ride

Many self-help offer little advice on how to navigate out of the murky waters of discontent; they just tell you what you already know--being big on what, but not how. This book, however, gives practical advice and real-life stories to help you plug up that leaky bucket that's been draining you of your life, your passion, and your energy.

I'll leave you with a nugget from Chapter 4: "Do what brings you life. Do not do what deadens you."

I remember seeing those informercials making you rich would actually work. After realizing the chances are slim to none I didn't think any single product could change your life until I read this book!

I used to have almost no self confidence and low self esteem because of the way I grew up in school and being picked on all the time for trying to get attention. Now that I'm out of school, I thought it was too late to became a person with confidence especially after finding out this girl liked for 2 years secretly hated me one day. after that moment I should have went to a theripist because I depended on her too much too make me whole and happy. I cried and had anxity attacks at work for almost 6 months straight and even almost lost my job!

This book is incredible. it should be called "the meaning of life" because it covers every pyschological problem a person can relate then teaches them to love themselve and it's not vague either! Now I know money isn't the answer to making people happy, but it's actually learning to love yourself and be proud of who you are.

I am so happy now and my potential is nearly limitless at work and life due to being optimistic and happy. I realized the girl didn't steal or break my heart I selfishly used hers because I was never able to UNLEASH mine to its fullest until now and I have never felt so better in my entire life!!

This best thing about this book is that it teaches you not to be bitter or get revenge about anyone or thing but to only think about how it contributed to make you happy so you can keep you thinking positive.

I don't know if this is the best self help book out there, but I don't care. It's the best thing that has ever happened to me and would still be worth getting if it was 100 dollars. If this doesn't get you to buy it, I don't know what will!

This book is a keeper! I checked it out from the library a few times because it's filled with soooooo much useful and insightful information. It's time to purchase it!

I highly recommend it!

I'm 43 and my life more than sucked for the first 35 years of my life (no self-esteem, all kinds of addictions, constant fear, anxiety and self destructiveness in any way you can think of), and nowadays it's quite the opposite and getting better all the time, thanks to God, family, friends and an unrelenting commitment to learning to be happy.

I am not here to credit this book for it, because that would be unrealistic and besides I just read it last week ;), but I do have to say that now that I'm starting to be a happy person I can honestly say that everything in this book resonates within me as true to the core, and I recommend it wholeheartedly to any one with an honest desire to grow as a human being.

I found this book to be a very valuable read and consider it one of the best books I've read in the personal/spiritual growth category over the past 10 years. As with most of his other work Cohen combines meaningful content with just a touch of humor to make the book even more entertaining. The only thing I don't like about it is the title, as I feel it limits its exposure to a wider audience. Why? Because there are, without question, numerous people out there who are interested in improving their lives, but who don't actually feel that their present life "sucks." That's not any reason for you not to buy it of course, it's just an observation on my part.

"Why your life sucks" can be expressed in six words, love it love it love it!! I can't express how much I appreciate how the book changed my views on my life. Your style of right to the point on shrewd observations has enlightened me.

The book helps one to concentrate one's energy on positive things and thoughts instead of negative ones. The more we concentrate on the positive, the more we can create this in our lives (this is some of what I got from this book). The book also tells us to focus on abundance and not on what we don't have. The more we focus on abundance, the more abundance we can attract. There is a lot more in this book that can help people with their thinking and feelings about life. Well-recommended.

Patrick Leonardi

Although I have read a lot (I really mean a lot) of self-help and psychology books, this book is the one I always come back to read again and again. It is very fun to read. I like Alan's humor and the way he tells stories is very powerful. I wouldn't say that this is a life-changing book, but it is certainly filled with wonderful gems of wisdom. Everything is simple and I think it is the key that makes this book a great one to come back to again and again. I believe that self-help book will be good or not depending on your style and how writer connects with you. For this book, even though it does not ring with you, at least it is a good read and fun. If it rings with you, it can be one of the best books for you. So, try it out. You won't regret it.

I feel like I may be repeating what everyone else has already stated, but it can't be said enough! This book is AMAZING! Alan Cohen is inspiring, thoughtful, brilliant, to put if briefly. You feel as if you are sitting across a table, drinking a cup of espresso, while being endowed with unspeakably valuable information that literally transforms the dark to light! Never in my life, have I felt so empowered, so confident, and so blissfully happy with life! I encourage EVERYONE, man and woman alike, to read this book! You absolutely won't regret it!

When I first saw this book, it was in a store several years ago. Its title was so matter of fact, that I couldn't resist picking it up. Within six pages, I couldn't put it down. It is a book that I have read countless times since I bought it, glossing over the pages I now practically know by heart, just to keep the book's wisdom alive in my mind. Since then, I've bought the book for several people; because this book truly is a gift.

In simple terms that anyone can understand and relate to, Mr. Cohen gives very blunt and sometimes startling advice on how to handle the ups and downs of life. He has the rare ability to word his sentences in such a way that you will never forget them.

Reading this book will probably leave you nodding your head in agreement with what the author says, wondering why you didn't think of things in the same way yourself.

I have read more than my fair share of books like this, and no book even comes close to it. The reason I consider it the best book for straightening out one's life is simple: IT WORKS. There are no fancy words or gimmicks here, just the outright truth about what we fail to see ourselves, and how shocking it is that we miss it.

I could say more, but I really want you to read this book and find out for yourself.

You'll thank me for it!