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Life Strategies For Teens
From the son of Dr. Phil McGraw comes Life Strategies for Teens, the New York Times bestselling guide to teenage success, and the first guide to teenage life that won’t tell you what to do, or who to be, but rather how to live life best.
Are you as tired as I am of books constantly telling you about doing your best to understand your parents, doing your homework, making curfew, getting a haircut, dropping that hemline, and blah, blah, blah? —Jay McGraw, from the Introduction
Well, you don’t have to be anymore! Employing the techniques from Dr. Phillip C. McGraw’s Life Strategies, his son Jay provides teens with the Ten Laws of Life, which make the journey to adulthood an easier and more fulfilling trip. Whether dealing with the issues of popularity, peer pressure, ambition, or ambivalence, Life Strategies for Teens is an enlightening guide to help teenagers not only stay afloat, but to thrive during these pivotal years.
Whether you are a teen looking for a little help, or a parent or grandparent wanting to provide guidance, this book tackles the challenges of adolescence like no other. Combining proven techniques for dealing with life’s obstacles and the youth and wit of writer Jay McGraw, Life Strategies for Teens is sure to improve the lives of all who read it.
Are you as tired as I am of books constantly telling you about doing your best to understand your parents, doing your homework, making curfew, getting a haircut, dropping that hemline, and blah, blah, blah? —Jay McGraw, from the Introduction
Well, you don’t have to be anymore! Employing the techniques from Dr. Phillip C. McGraw’s Life Strategies, his son Jay provides teens with the Ten Laws of Life, which make the journey to adulthood an easier and more fulfilling trip. Whether dealing with the issues of popularity, peer pressure, ambition, or ambivalence, Life Strategies for Teens is an enlightening guide to help teenagers not only stay afloat, but to thrive during these pivotal years.
Whether you are a teen looking for a little help, or a parent or grandparent wanting to provide guidance, this book tackles the challenges of adolescence like no other. Combining proven techniques for dealing with life’s obstacles and the youth and wit of writer Jay McGraw, Life Strategies for Teens is sure to improve the lives of all who read it.
236 pages, Paperback
First published December 1, 2000
36 people are currently reading
610 people want to read
About the author
Jay McGraw
16 books5 followersJay Phillip McGraw (born September 12, 1979 in Wichita County, Texas) is the son of Phil McGraw of The Dr. Phil Show and Robin McGraw. He has one younger brother, Jordan (a musician). He has written several books aimed at young people. He has also appeared on The Dr. Phil Show.
McGraw is President and CEO of Stage 29 Productions in Los Angeles, a company he co-founded with his father. He has served as Executive Producer on several prime-time "Dr. Phil" specials. He appeared as host of Renovate My Family, which aired on Fox.
McGraw attended Greenhill School and he is a graduate of the University of Texas, receiving a B.S. in Psychology. He earned his law degree from Southern Methodist University. He is executive producer of the TV series "The Doctors."
McGraw wed Playboy model Erica Dahm at his parents' home in Beverly Hills. A reception for 400 guests followed the ceremony at the Beverly Hills Hotel. In March 2010, Dahm gave birth to the couple's first daughter, Avery Elizabeth. In April 2011, McGraw and his wife announced they were expecting their second child in September 2011.
McGraw is President and CEO of Stage 29 Productions in Los Angeles, a company he co-founded with his father. He has served as Executive Producer on several prime-time "Dr. Phil" specials. He appeared as host of Renovate My Family, which aired on Fox.
McGraw attended Greenhill School and he is a graduate of the University of Texas, receiving a B.S. in Psychology. He earned his law degree from Southern Methodist University. He is executive producer of the TV series "The Doctors."
McGraw wed Playboy model Erica Dahm at his parents' home in Beverly Hills. A reception for 400 guests followed the ceremony at the Beverly Hills Hotel. In March 2010, Dahm gave birth to the couple's first daughter, Avery Elizabeth. In April 2011, McGraw and his wife announced they were expecting their second child in September 2011.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 57 reviews
September 30, 2015
This was part of my required summer reading one year for high school. I was frankly kind of offended (once I had actually started reading the thing) and lost a lot of faith in the people who made that decision.
Did you just read the title? Is that what you did? You decided that if Dr. Phil was good enough for Oprah then some rehashed bullshit that his kid strung up for a quick buck was good enough for your kids to read?
Maybe we should take our reading recommendations from, say, books that maybe we've actually read as opposed to things television personalities said that one time. Yeah? Good idea? Alright, let's work on that next time, Sparky.
Anywho.
Read this book and glean such wonderful "life strategies" as:
"Don't be like the goth kids becuase:
- they always wear black
- they always look like they're going to a funeral"
Solid. Wonderful advice. Great reasons. I love how you backed up your opinions with hard facts. *slow clap* *giant middle finger*
Did you just read the title? Is that what you did? You decided that if Dr. Phil was good enough for Oprah then some rehashed bullshit that his kid strung up for a quick buck was good enough for your kids to read?
Maybe we should take our reading recommendations from, say, books that maybe we've actually read as opposed to things television personalities said that one time. Yeah? Good idea? Alright, let's work on that next time, Sparky.
Anywho.
Read this book and glean such wonderful "life strategies" as:
"Don't be like the goth kids becuase:
- they always wear black
- they always look like they're going to a funeral"
Solid. Wonderful advice. Great reasons. I love how you backed up your opinions with hard facts. *slow clap* *giant middle finger*
August 15, 2017
Not exactly the best self-help book for teens that I've seen, but not the worst either. Probably could have used some more editing in some spots, but overall a somewhat helpful book.
December 7, 2008
The book is still fresh despite being published in 2000. It's an easy read with a conversational tone by Jay that echoes of his famous father.
The main point of the book calls readers to take action and responsibility for themselves.
Be confident about adding this book to the collection in the classroom or media center.
The main point of the book calls readers to take action and responsibility for themselves.
Be confident about adding this book to the collection in the classroom or media center.
September 9, 2007
My son said this was well done. Amazing!
August 12, 2013
this book has been very helpful and I look forward to using the 10 life laws
July 30, 2014
A book I often turn to for a pick me up and words of encouragement even as an adult.
April 5, 2023
The author goes through 10 life laws teens should follow to live a successful/happy life. Those laws are "You either get it or you don't", "You create your own experiences", "people do what works", "You cannot change what you don't acknowledge", "Life rewards action", "There is no reality only perception", "Life is managed, it is not cured", "We teach people how to treat us", "There is no power in forgiveness", and "You have to name it before you claim it". I've never read a book by Jay Mcgraw but I'm familiar with his father Dr. Phil. I learned a lot of good and important that I'd use in my life. I think it was quite inspiring it was much more interesting than I thought and more helpful. I would recommend this book to all teenagers. Overall I enjoyed this book.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
December 18, 2012
Megan brehmer
informational
236 pages
12/17/12
This book teaches you how to get you through your teen ages. First he focused on 10 laws that are suppose to help you through life the fist one was you either get it or you don't. This law was all about you can kind of know something completely or you don't know it and how your mind thinks about things that they just don't get. The next law was you create your own experience. This was all about if you have a bad time its not someone else fault you created that time. Also it is about not letting someone run your life for you. the next law is people do what works. This law is all about is people aren't going to do something that is not meant for them to do and you should not do something that's not meant for you. The rest of the laws are either about making your dreams come true or knowing what you want to do. Also about people that really tells you what you need to like how you need to take charge of your life, and how you can get through all the struggles that have gone on.
I might have liked this book more if i was like 16 but i am not. I just didn't have a lot of the problems that where going on but the times i did have the problems it knew the answer. I did like that the book was based in this guys some at some points in the story.The author did a good job on his research on teens because a lot of the facts where so true and i could totally relate.I didn't like this book to much i think because i don't really like books like this a lot of the time and not all the facts where true for me but i bet they where true for other teens and other readers.
informational
236 pages
12/17/12
This book teaches you how to get you through your teen ages. First he focused on 10 laws that are suppose to help you through life the fist one was you either get it or you don't. This law was all about you can kind of know something completely or you don't know it and how your mind thinks about things that they just don't get. The next law was you create your own experience. This was all about if you have a bad time its not someone else fault you created that time. Also it is about not letting someone run your life for you. the next law is people do what works. This law is all about is people aren't going to do something that is not meant for them to do and you should not do something that's not meant for you. The rest of the laws are either about making your dreams come true or knowing what you want to do. Also about people that really tells you what you need to like how you need to take charge of your life, and how you can get through all the struggles that have gone on.
I might have liked this book more if i was like 16 but i am not. I just didn't have a lot of the problems that where going on but the times i did have the problems it knew the answer. I did like that the book was based in this guys some at some points in the story.The author did a good job on his research on teens because a lot of the facts where so true and i could totally relate.I didn't like this book to much i think because i don't really like books like this a lot of the time and not all the facts where true for me but i bet they where true for other teens and other readers.
December 10, 2011
Jay McGraw strikes again with this book, Life Strategies for Teens.
Translated from his father's book, into a language more attractive for teenagers, this non-fiction book focuses on helping teenagers learn life strategies.
The book includes multiple exercises on how to live life the way you want to. With tips against bullying, for hobbies and so many other things, this book is a decent collection for those looking for a little extra help, or some assurance that things will be alright.
Much of what the author states in this book is common knowledge, but that doesn't mean it's useless. On the contrary, being able to grab this book off a shelf and read the reassuring tips and hints that are written inside it can be a wonderful help for teenagers. Not just teenagers, of course. This book can also be a wonderful help for adults, although better suited for adults is the original Life Strategies: Doing What Works Doing What Matters.
All in all, this book is a good buy for whoever needs an occasional push in the right direction, or simple reassurance that life isn't all that bad.
The language is easy to understand, the tips are good, the strategies useful, and the exercises convenient.
What more can a person want?
Translated from his father's book, into a language more attractive for teenagers, this non-fiction book focuses on helping teenagers learn life strategies.
The book includes multiple exercises on how to live life the way you want to. With tips against bullying, for hobbies and so many other things, this book is a decent collection for those looking for a little extra help, or some assurance that things will be alright.
Much of what the author states in this book is common knowledge, but that doesn't mean it's useless. On the contrary, being able to grab this book off a shelf and read the reassuring tips and hints that are written inside it can be a wonderful help for teenagers. Not just teenagers, of course. This book can also be a wonderful help for adults, although better suited for adults is the original Life Strategies: Doing What Works Doing What Matters.
All in all, this book is a good buy for whoever needs an occasional push in the right direction, or simple reassurance that life isn't all that bad.
The language is easy to understand, the tips are good, the strategies useful, and the exercises convenient.
What more can a person want?
May 19, 2023
The Book "Life Strategies for Teens", by Jay McGraw was a book that I really liked because it gave reliable tips to become a better teen. As starters the author Jay McGraw have gave his life like to help us and give us an influence on not to act the way he acted because it can affect how others see you. Adding on, this had also talked about which groups of people to hangout with would be the best so that it doesn't hurt yourself because you chose the wrong people to hangout with. Then, this book also had very good like humor because the author was like having a conversation with the reader, even though it's all through a book, the "conversations" he made me feel like I was talking to a virtual hologram. The author had also made himself feel believable because he would as I said give his own life stories, and giving pros and cons about the situation. I think that this book is well written because it's inspiring to me whenever I get older, so I can be a better teen than I am now. I would highly recommend this book because it could show parents how much of a change that you have accomplished, and make you change your bad habits into a good habit, or anything that causes you to improve in life.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
November 2, 2007
He is coming from very much in the trenches of the high school scene, but this 20 yr old author has grown a lot in six years and now not letting his homework go--now he is seeing that his actions have consequences.
The cartoony illustrations and top ten list on what leads to a "loser" life or what works in life (hey, how about the Ten Commandments ;-)) work.
Broke me out of my rut in doing things I'd just gotten used to doing even now as a mother, such as not acting and expecting results to my liking :-)
I really liked how he makes one look at what one really is after--not just the perceived "prize" but what one really is looking for. So, I am not looking for a lot of email, for instance. I am looking for friends I can relate to and interact with well. Then work for what is really necessary.
It helped me deal with my perfectionism to realize that things are not all of a sudden great when everything is perfect. One needs to learn to deal with life in a positive way.
For me, it was a catalyst to see what I do that is self destructive. What I do for the short-term payoff that isn't helping me reach my ultimate goal.
Now, how about we all talk about the ultimate goal of God!
The cartoony illustrations and top ten list on what leads to a "loser" life or what works in life (hey, how about the Ten Commandments ;-)) work.
Broke me out of my rut in doing things I'd just gotten used to doing even now as a mother, such as not acting and expecting results to my liking :-)
I really liked how he makes one look at what one really is after--not just the perceived "prize" but what one really is looking for. So, I am not looking for a lot of email, for instance. I am looking for friends I can relate to and interact with well. Then work for what is really necessary.
It helped me deal with my perfectionism to realize that things are not all of a sudden great when everything is perfect. One needs to learn to deal with life in a positive way.
For me, it was a catalyst to see what I do that is self destructive. What I do for the short-term payoff that isn't helping me reach my ultimate goal.
Now, how about we all talk about the ultimate goal of God!
October 31, 2011
Genre: Self-help
Rating: **** The author, Jay McGraw, is the son of bestselling author, Phillip C. McGraw, and this book follows his dad’s book, Life Stategies. Jay McGraw has taken his dad’s ideas and made them more kid friendly. It is a funny, but straightforward guide to help teenagers deal with life.
Summary: This book focuses on the Ten Laws of Life. Teenagers are encouraged to take control of their own lives. They are asked questions about missed opportunities, perceptions, self-sabotage, and personal shortcomings so they can figure out what’s not working and fix it. Teenagers can then turn dreams into goals, and specific timelines and strategies are given.
Key Issues: relationships, peer pressure, self-esteem, taking responsibility, setting priorities, goal setting
Other Interesting Information: The author, Jay McGraw is executive producer of The Doctors and the president and CEO of Stage 29 Productions in Los Angeles. He has written several self-help books for teenagers and has been featured on the Dr. Phil Show, Larry King Live and the Today Show.
Rating: **** The author, Jay McGraw, is the son of bestselling author, Phillip C. McGraw, and this book follows his dad’s book, Life Stategies. Jay McGraw has taken his dad’s ideas and made them more kid friendly. It is a funny, but straightforward guide to help teenagers deal with life.
Summary: This book focuses on the Ten Laws of Life. Teenagers are encouraged to take control of their own lives. They are asked questions about missed opportunities, perceptions, self-sabotage, and personal shortcomings so they can figure out what’s not working and fix it. Teenagers can then turn dreams into goals, and specific timelines and strategies are given.
Key Issues: relationships, peer pressure, self-esteem, taking responsibility, setting priorities, goal setting
Other Interesting Information: The author, Jay McGraw is executive producer of The Doctors and the president and CEO of Stage 29 Productions in Los Angeles. He has written several self-help books for teenagers and has been featured on the Dr. Phil Show, Larry King Live and the Today Show.
March 31, 2011
"Life Strategies for Teens" by Jay Mcgraw, son of Dr. Phil, was a very compelling book. It stated in the beginning that it could change my life with a few steps in mind. Now this book is not fiction nor Sci-fi, but it is non-fiction which is very unusual for me to read. I love my explosions and gun fights, but I thought it would be a great change for once. Boy did I really not only enjoy this book, but actually used it and applied it to my life. I think that Jay Mcgraw is an amazing author. Bravo to him! This book is basically a strategy guide for how to get through life more effeciently. He states 10 life laws, but the one that really stuck out most was that you either get it, or you dont. I feel that thats how everyday life is. Some things you get and some you dont. Simply put! Overall, I highly recommend this book to anyone that is not satisfied with their life or is not getting the results they deserve. Everyone should enjoy life the way it was supposed to be!
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May 22, 2008Life Strategies for Teens was a book that greatly appealed to me when i first discovered it. The book seemed to be an answer to all of the problems i have, the problems that i have already had an didn't have a solution to, and the problems that i will most likely experience in the future. The book seemed to be very easy to understand and had claims of solving all of my problems. After reading the book, i realized that it was written by someone not much older than me, who really understands what i go through every day and what i must do to be successful. Everything was right there and the author pretty much said that the only thing you have to do in order to fix all of these problems is just do what he said to do. Overall, i was very impressed with this book; it has already started helping me and will surely continue to help me as i progress in my teenage life.
June 30, 2010
This was a pretty good book - for a teenager. It's written by a teenager (well, I think he had just turned 20 when he wrote it), and it speaks to teenagers in their language. I would probably have my kids read this as teenagers. What I really like about this book is that it's interactive. The author has you make lists, and write down your thoughts and different things. It's a good way to get you thinking and learn how to apply the things he's talking about.
July 10, 2011
I wasn't sure about this book a few years ago when I read it. I recently (just about now) finished re-reading, and I think that there are definite gems here. It's entertaining (as teen non-fiction can realistically be), to the point, and polished. I enjoyed this book the first time (when I was a teen) and this time (I'm still a teen, but barely). I loved this book over time; to me it's a classic! Mileage may vary.
September 8, 2009
When i read this book(which i was forced to) i realized how annoying life can get as a teenager. I didn't learn to much from this book as i had previously learned most of these strategies from a book called THE SECERET that tells you about key life stratigies that will come in handy in day two day situations.
February 20, 2017
This book was just what i really loved reading during my teen years. Although, I come from a different culture and live by different rules and stuff, I actually liked the book and liked how way to help teens was introduced. Like teens can really relate, although I wasn't living an American life and all, but I could relate to what he was trying to point out and say, it was really fun to read.
June 24, 2008
This was right down my alley for my social work/psychology interests.
He writes for teens. I just wish he would leave out the swear words.
That week I was thinking about how to handle a change in my life and his thoughts on taking risks helped me in that situation.
He writes for teens. I just wish he would leave out the swear words.
That week I was thinking about how to handle a change in my life and his thoughts on taking risks helped me in that situation.
Read
February 9, 2011is a good book it i love it.it say alot about teens problem how they handel i think i can connect i littel bit about this because it say thing about 2 face people i know alot of people like that.put this book in your feet and u will feel what they talking about!
June 25, 2011
I used this book to help my students think about the choices they make, and to help them realize that they have the power to make their life what they want it to be, even if they don't realize it. Some of the examples are a little outdated.
January 21, 2012
A good read so far although some of the concepts are repeated in each chapter. A book I am going to buy and make my kids read and will suggest to nieces and nephews (or their parents) as a must-read!
August 2, 2013
I thought this one was easy to read and that it would connect with the Kids. Jay spoke in a language that they could understand. He even cussed a few times to get the point across. I plan to have my son listen to this one on audio.
April 30, 2015
I would recomend this book to people in school who are haveing any kind of problems. School, homework, bulleis, parents, friends, anything. The book answered some of my problems with to much school work. It was also very easy to understand all he had to say.
September 19, 2007
Okay self help book. Not my sort of thing though.
December 3, 2007
Great book. Basically the same thing as the adult version. Good luck getting your teen to actually think through his actions and feelings to get any real benefit from it.
January 15, 2008
Helpful book for teenage boys.
March 13, 2008
Every Teen should readd this book.
September 19, 2008
This book has some cheese ball parts but most of it is pretty darn good.
August 7, 2009
This book taugt me some liife strategies to use but most of these i already knew. Also i learned how much parents try to help you but you usally ignore them
Displaying 1 - 30 of 57 reviews