This handbook is a collection of some of my best articles from ZenHabits.net. It provides you with hundreds of tips for improving your life through simplicity, productivity, and happiness. At the request of my readers, I've hand-picked the articles and put them together for you in an easy to read format. When I first started out in my adult life, 17 years ago, it would have been nice if someone I respected had given me a handbook, with all the essential topics covered in a how-to format. It would have taught me to simplify my life, which I've learned to do in the last few years. It would have talked about the essentials of happiness, and how to be productive and achieve my dreams. Of course, life doesn't come with such a handbook, but that didn't stop me from trying to create one. I hope this handbook will be of some use to you and help you achieve your dreams too. Choose the articles that apply best to your life, and give them a try. I bet you'll be pleasantly surprised.
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About the Author
My name is Leo Babauta, I'm married with six kids, I live on Guam, I'm a writer and a runner and a vegetarian and I love writing.
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Most Helpful Customer Reviews
65 of 68 people found the following review helpful
Format:Paperback
I'm growing a little tired of "Zen" being used as a marketing buzzword especially in books such as this which have nothing whatsoever to do with Zen much less the habits of its practitioners. And though I'm quite fond of Leo's message, I'm also growing weary of him re-packaging what is essentially the same information in book after book. Thus the four stars. But his core message, which you can find in any of his books, or even his web site, is definitely a five-star message.
What separates Leo from many of the others in the simplicity movement is the very practical nature of the information he provides. His is not just another paen to the complexity of modern society together with a tired refrain for the need to simplify, but an instruction manual, a recipe for simplicity. Though much of it is intuitive and the core message can be reduced to a couple of sentences, he does have the value-add of what I believe to be a coach who not only inspires, but also practices what he preaches.
If you believe simplicity to be the antidote to your modern funk, and you are ready to act, not just whine, then I recommend this book (or any of his others -- they are all pretty much the same book) as a recipe for your battle with the soul-sucking energy draining monster that is clutter (virtual, emotional, and physical). Additionally I would recommend "Less" by Marc Lesser as a spiritual guide for your journey.
Ironically, Lesser is a practicing Zen priest and his book fits the title of "Zen Habits" much better than this book does. In a world of fair labeling this book would be called "Less" and Lesser's book would be called "Zen Habits". My advice would be to swap the dust-jackets so you actually know what you're getting into when you pull these books off your shelves.
What separates Leo from many of the others in the simplicity movement is the very practical nature of the information he provides. His is not just another paen to the complexity of modern society together with a tired refrain for the need to simplify, but an instruction manual, a recipe for simplicity. Though much of it is intuitive and the core message can be reduced to a couple of sentences, he does have the value-add of what I believe to be a coach who not only inspires, but also practices what he preaches.
If you believe simplicity to be the antidote to your modern funk, and you are ready to act, not just whine, then I recommend this book (or any of his others -- they are all pretty much the same book) as a recipe for your battle with the soul-sucking energy draining monster that is clutter (virtual, emotional, and physical). Additionally I would recommend "Less" by Marc Lesser as a spiritual guide for your journey.
Ironically, Lesser is a practicing Zen priest and his book fits the title of "Zen Habits" much better than this book does. In a world of fair labeling this book would be called "Less" and Lesser's book would be called "Zen Habits". My advice would be to swap the dust-jackets so you actually know what you're getting into when you pull these books off your shelves.
14 of 14 people found the following review helpful
Format:Paperback|Amazon Verified Purchase
This little book is a collection of posts from the author's blog/website, Zen Habits. It is full of small bits of advice regarding getting things done, to do lists, interactions with others, and a whole range of other stuff. While the advice is not revolutionary or wildly original, it is nonetheless presented in a way that is both fresh and thought-provoking. I liked the rhythm of the text - it felt like a conversation with a thoughtful friend.
You could get all these posts by reviewing the blog's archive, but like a college professor said to me last week, there's something to be said for having information in a book that you can hold in your hand, keep on a desk for random reading, and give to others. I liked this book, and plan on picking it up often.
You could get all these posts by reviewing the blog's archive, but like a college professor said to me last week, there's something to be said for having information in a book that you can hold in your hand, keep on a desk for random reading, and give to others. I liked this book, and plan on picking it up often.
3 of 3 people found the following review helpful
By Prospero
Format:Paperback|Amazon Verified Purchase
For anyone who hasn't yet 'found' Leo Babauta, I suggest you quickly do so. An invaluable book for re-assessing any bad habits we have and locking into what Leo advises to change them. Simple and effective ways are suggested to declutter our business life,our home life, cease spontaneous buying, clearing one's email inbox in three easy steps and.......... well, if you want to know more and greet life more joyfully, buy his book.
Most Recent Customer Reviews
4.0 out of 5 stars
Same as blog
This is a good book, the only issue i have with it is that it has the same information as in the blog of Leo Babauto. Going to zenhabits. Read more
Published 22 months ago by JMaster814
5.0 out of 5 stars
Great book
I've been reading Zen Habits blog by Leo Babauta for awhile. I love this book because it's so practical and straightforward.
Published 24 months ago by Javapie3
2.0 out of 5 stars
Not the Greatest Book Ever
Lots of good ideas but this book is edited very badly. There are lots of grammatical errors and it doesn't really have a flow to speak of. Read more
Published on November 20, 2010 by A. Koecke
4.0 out of 5 stars
Thanks, Leo
This is to express my appreciation to Mr Barbauta.
He has the knack of saying exactly what I need to hear, exactly when I need to hear it. Read more
He has the knack of saying exactly what I need to hear, exactly when I need to hear it. Read more
Published on October 19, 2010 by Ellen C. Falkenberry
5.0 out of 5 stars
I Own This Book
I do own this book and find it very helpful in organizing my life. I tend to take on more than I can handle, so this was just the book for me! Read more
Published on January 29, 2010 by B. Davis
