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

by Jim Donovan (Author) "How many times have you said, "All I want is to be happy"?..." (more)
Key Phrases: Serenity Prayer, Man Thinketh, The Still

Editorial Reviews

Review
"Brief, easy to read, practical, and filled with useful exercises for making positive changes."

Product Description
When Jim Donovan's successful career in video and broadcast television led to a personal meltdown, he went through rehab, pulled himself up from the bottom, and started his life over. He then began giving seminars on "how to change your life" based on the simple yet effective ideas that had worked for him in his recovery. Don't make big changes, Donovan suggests, just start slowly and move bit-by-bit toward your goal. In addition to goal-setting and goal-keeping, Donovan discusses writing personal affirmations that work, cultivating gratitude, disciplining the mind, and helping others to achieve their dreams. These easy-to-grasp concepts have helped thousands of people turn their lives around.

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Product Details

• Paperback: 176 pages
• Publisher: New World Library (March 2003)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1577314018
• ISBN-13: 978-1577314011
• Product Dimensions: 8.2 x 5.5 x 0.5 inches
• Shipping Weight: 7.2 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.8 out of 5 stars See all reviews (12 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #298,800 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

13 of 15 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

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

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

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)

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!