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Book Review: A refreshing take on self improvement
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Described by readers as ‘thoughtful, simple and uplifting’ and written with ‘humor, humanity, and wisdom’, by all accounts this book was 30 years in the making. (Shutterstock/*)
D
istilling a lifestyle choice into a snappy one-liner has long been the curse of self-help book writers. From the outside looking in, selling an idea or philosophy promising to “change your life” is no easy feat. Perhaps this is why the titles of such books are so long and meandering; and all too often, misleading.
Despite this, no one can dispute their earnestness and altruism. So we give these books a chance. Because ultimately we all want to be better, more fulfilled, individuals. Getting past a self-help book’s title, it seems, is the first challenge we must confront to achieve a sunnier disposition.
In It’s All In Your Head: Thinking Your Way To Happiness, journalist Mark Levine and life coach Stephen Pollan attempt to tackle what’s referred to as “The 8 Essential Ingredients To Living A Life Without Regrets” — in a mere 240 pages. And that’s exactly what happens.
Described by readers as “thoughtful, simple and uplifting” and written with “humor, humanity, and wisdom”, by all accounts this book was 30 years in the making. Pollan, it seems, is the main driving force here. A former attorney and financial consultant, these days his work involves advising on the business of living—everything from home buying and employment contracts to marriage and parenting—as a life coach.
Pollan’s previous books include Die Broke (using assets rather than building up an estate), Second Acts (encouraging people to reinvent their lives), and Fire Your Boss (helping people take charge of their own work lives). And like his previous work, It’s All In Your Head preaches the virtue of both attitude and action as keys to success.
(Read also: Diana Rikasari's favorite 5 books on life and business)
According to Pollan, we don't have to look far for validation and acceptance, as within us we already have everything we need to find fulfillment and lead happy, satisfying lives. However, to be truly happy we need to accept responsibility for our own happiness, and just start living how we want to.
“The bad news is your happiness is your own responsibility. You’re the only one who can make yourself happy. No one and nothing else can do it for you. Not even me or this book.”
The book’s chapters are divided into topics, and all follow the same structured style. Pollan starts each chapter by introducing real people’s stories and by giving an account of how they overcame their particular problems. This gives each chapter more context, making It’s All In Your Head more meaningful for the reader. Pollan then proceeds to turn the mirror back on us readers, encouraging us to try an exercise that he claims will challenge our own negative ideas and thoughts.
He rounds off each chapter by returning to the original point and tying things neatly together. The tone and language used in the book make it all the more accessible too—as do the many different examples from popular films and books he makes frequent use of throughout.
Overall, it’s fair to say that It’s All In Your Head is the antithesis of the psychobabble-filled ‘guru’ books that overpromise on enlightenment, and fall short on results. In fact, it’s a refreshing look at the human spirit that aims to help us practically resolve our internal and personal conflicts.
Just don’t judge it on its title alone. (kes)
Click here to read the book.
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Title: It's All in Your Head: Thinking Your Way to Happiness
Author: Stephen M. Pollan and Mark LeVine
Published: 2006
Publisher: William Morrow Paperbacks
Category: Motivation
Pages: 240
Reviewed by: Dave Barton
