Handbook to a Happier Life : A Simple Guide to Creating the Life You've Always Wanted (Paperback)

~ (Author)

Editorial Reviews

Review

"Handbook To A Happier Life is great! It is brief, easy to read, practical and filled with useful exercises for making positive changes. This little book should be a part of everyone's self-help library." (Jack Canfield, Co-author, Chicken Soup for the Soul)

"..love your book.."(Jacqueline Miller, Co-author, Heart at Work)

"I could tell you that you should buy this book because it will organize and prioritize your life. Or, I could assure you it would help your business run more smoothly and you would be more successful, or, that you will rarely find so much common sense in such a small space. These are all true, but perhaps the basic reason you should read this book is, it will make you feel good." (Home Business Journal, Jan 98)

"You've captured what we all seek! Congratulations! I'm sharing Happier Life with my friends." (Ty Boyd, Author, Visions)

"I've read many self-help/self-improvement books but your Handbook To A Happier Life is simply the best. I can't wait to give a copy to my wife and children, as well as our Lady Remington Fashion Advisors and Managers worldwide." (John Kiple, President, Lady Remington)

"How often do you hear really good ideas time after time and fail to act on them? Then, that same idea comes to you one more time, and that time you act on it, and you wonder what took you so long. What was it about Donovan's life planning book that enabled me to do what I've failed at many other times? Perhaps, it's the read, think, and write format. Doing the exercises was easy after reading and thinking about the ideas. Thoughtful exercises come every few pages and ask you to write about what you want out of life. They are all about you and where you want to go." (Barbara Garro, Writer, Business Talk)

"Jim Donovan has taken all the complicated psycho-mumble about potential and created a simple, fun and complete handbook with exercises, goals and action plans, insights and understanding that will bring the happiness we each seek into our lives, right now! No one who is interested in discovering their perfection and how to realize it will want to miss this mini masterpiece." (Leading Edge Review)

"I have read and re-read your wonderful book of wisdom, seeing things differently each time. You've creatively woven the 26 letters of the alphabet together to produce a living document to guide one's life and I, for one, have greatly benefited from you thoughts and concepts." (Bonnie Ross-Parker, The Peoples Network)

"A delight! First rate, proven concepts, supported with your personal experiences and presented in bite-sized chunks that literally anyone can use." (Emmet Robinson, Author, How to Prosper in Business) -- Reviews

Just to set the record straight, the author informs us in the Introduction that, This is not a self improvement book. You are already perfect, right where you are, doing just what you are doing. You can, however, grow and develop further. " Whew, what a relief! We receive thousands of messages each day that let us know that we are not enough. The effect that has on even the most confident among us is cumulative and leads us in directions we would rather not go. -- Midwest Book Review

Product Description

A simple guide to creating the life you've always wanted, this powerful new self-help book contains practical information, and simple exercises to help you create the life of your dreams. The message is that this is your life. Live it to the fullest!

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Product Details

• Paperback: 85 pages
• Publisher: Bovan Publishing Group (June 1996)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0965053407
• ISBN-13: 978-0965053402
• Product Dimensions: 8.3 x 5.5 x 0.4 inches
• Shipping Weight: 4.8 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 4.8 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (12 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #1,926,362 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

14 of 16 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars One Very Happy Selection, February 1, 2001

By	Michael Braunberger (Glendale, Arizona USA) - See all my reviews

In the course of many years, I have read many self-help books and attended many seminars. While all good, nothing has given me the sustained "bounce" that Donovan's book has.

Why? While nearly all similar such materials contain like truisms, this book has managed to get to the heart of the matter in a very interesting, logical, articulate, and effective way. One of the features I especially enjoy is that it is a "bite-sized" handbook--one easy to digest and use as a valuable reference later. Not too short with quippy one-liners and not so long so that one gets lost or tires before getting to the pivotal points.

I ordered several books on the topic and so far this is the absolute best. I can honestly say that some of the insights have helped make the last few weeks among the happiest of my life. May you also have abiding happiness in your life. God bless.

7 of 7 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Get Happy Now!, November 28, 2000

By	Artist Barbara Garro (Barbara Garro at http://www.ElectricEnvisions.com in Saratoga Springs, NY) - See all my reviews

This is a reader-friendly goal-setting and achieving book that motivates you to have the happy life you deserve. The book puts your life in a spotlight. What do you want? What stops you from getting it?

Then, and only then, does Donovan give you the ideas to break through your walls of resistance, inside and outside.

Along the way, you gain some valuable personal emotional intelligence to keep your psyche in balance.

9 of 10 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Personal Development 101, November 17, 2005

By	Marian Head "Author of 'Revolutionary Agreeme... (Niwot, CO) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

This review is from: Handbook to a Happier Life: A Simple Guide to Creating the Life You've Always Wanted (Paperback)

Handbook to a Happier Life is Personal Development 101. For those who haven't already steeped themselves in self-help books and courses, Donovan offers an easy entry to the idea that you can indeed create your own happiness by following some simple steps - 62 to be exact. "Developing a Positive Attitude," "Willingness," and "Energy Pickup" are among the bite-sized personal growth nuggets Donovan offers to simply change our lives for the better.

Each of the 62 nuggets is a 2-3 page chapter of personal stories (his and others) along with his thoughts about the topic. By answering the questions he poses, we can take each concept to a deeper level. The wisdom he shares with us is timeless and his questions are often provocative. For example, he writes, "I've been amazed at how often I have seen the effectiveness of ...[having consistency of purpose]. Why, for instance, do people age differently? What keeps some people going strong, while others seem to have given up on life...? I am convinced the difference lies in having a purpose. We need a reason to get out of bed in the morning. We need something outside ourselves to keep us going."

Although any of the 62 nuggets could potentially be life changing if applied, reading them all in one serving could be overwhelming. My suggestion for getting the most out of this book is to take just a few minutes each morning to read a chapter and then apply what you've read throughout the normal course of that day. In a mere two months, there's a good chance you'd live up to the promise of this book -- a happier life!