Why Your Life Sucks (Paperback)

~ (Author)

Editorial Reviews

Product Description

The in-your-face, no-hype guide to getting happy…

Your life sucks if…
• You routinely make someone or something more important than you
• The life you are living on the outside doesn’t match who you are on the inside
• You say yes when you mean no
• You try to fix other people
• You’ve forgotten to enjoy the ride

When your life sucks, it’s a wake-up call. Now self-help guru and bestselling author Alan Cohen invites you to answer that call, change your course, and enjoy the life you were meant to live. In ten compelling chapters, Cohen shows you how to stop wasting your energy on people and things that deaden you–and use it for things you love.

With great humor, great examples, and exhilarating directness, Why Your Life Sucks doesn’t just spell out the ways in which you undermine your power, purpose, and creativity–it shows you how to reverse the damage. Here is an encouraging but loud-and-clear reminder that in every moment we generate our own experience by the choices we make, and that today is the best day to begin your new life.

About the Author

Alan H. Cohen is the author of 18 popular inspirational titles, including The Dragon Doesn't Lives Here Anymore and Dare to be Yourself. A frequent guest on television and radio, he conducts life mastery seminars in Hawaii and on-line, and is an acclaimed keynote speaker for educational, health, church, and corporate groups. He lives on Maui, Hawaii. Visit www.alancohen.com to learn more.

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Product Details

• Paperback: 224 pages
• Publisher: Bantam (November 29, 2005)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0553383620
• ISBN-13: 978-0553383621
• Product Dimensions: 9 x 6 x 0.6 inches
• Shipping Weight: 9.1 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.8 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (16 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #179,871 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

70 of 70 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Excellent! One of Those Books I'd Like to Give to Everyone, December 29, 2005

By	Janet Boyer "JanetBoyer.com" (Pennsylvania) - See all my reviews (TOP 50 REVIEWER)    (REAL NAME)

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."

37 of 38 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars This book WILL change your life......, April 29, 2006

By	David L. Nguyen "Deedubau" (Whitman, MA USA) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

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!

18 of 19 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Like talking to a therapist......., June 7, 2006

By	N. Egwim (Hyattsville, MD United States) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

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!