How to do Everything and Be Happy

by Peter Jones

Do you ever feel that you could be – well – just that little bit happier? This simple book reveals how you can be happy every day, through these surprisingly easy tips and advice.

Whoever you are, whatever you do, and whatever is holding you back, you can do it AND be happy.

How To Do Everything and Be Happy is a book for ordinary people, with ordinary lives. People who have been ambling along and wondering if things would be better if they were just a little different. It's a book for most people. It's a book for you.

Peter Jones was once a normal guy. Sometimes frustrated, often dissatisfied, but always working hard towards a ‘happily every after’ he would share with his wife Kate.

But when Kate died in Peter’s arms after just 2 years and 3 months of marriage, he realised his days had been spent working towards a fantasy, instead of making every hour count. Alone, at rock bottom, Peter discovered that the secret to happiness is simple: it’s about filling your time with the things that make you happy.

If you've got a brain in your head, if you can pick up a pen, if you've got half an idea about what makes you smile, this book will show you how to do that.

Peter’s ideas are born from hard-won experience. Like Boxing Day: originally a day Peter and Kate spent together, without plans or restrictions, as an antidote to the chaos of Christmas. When Kate passed away, Peter continued the tradition by himself, doing whatever came to mind: it turned out to be the most refreshing, relaxing and fulfilling few hours he’d ever had. And its effects could be felt throughout the month.

Practical, amusing and mumbo-jumbo-free, How To Do Everything And Be Happy does exactly what it says on the tin.

Genres: Self Help, Nonfiction, Personal Development, Psychology

228 pages, Paperback

First published February 28, 2011

About the author

Peter Jones started professional life as a particularly rubbish graphic designer, followed by a stint as a mediocre petrol pump attendant. After that he got embroiled in the murky world of credit card banking. Fun times.
 
Nowadays, Peter spends his days writing, or talking about writing.

He’s written three novels; a Rom-Com (Romantic Comedy), A Crim-Com (Crime Comedy), and a Rom-Com-Ding-Dong (A sort-of Romantic-ish Comedy, with attitude). He’s currently working on his fourth novel, which - if it’s a musical - he’ll no doubt describe as a Rom-Com-Sing-Song. (Spoiler: It isn’t).
 
He is also the author of three and a half popular self-help books on the subjects of happiness, staying slim and dating. If you’re overweight, lonely, or unhappy – he’s your guy.
 
Peter doesn’t own a large departmental store and probably isn’t the same guy you’ve seen on the TV show Dragons’ Den.
 
You can find out more about Peter by following the links below:
amazon: https://www.amazon.co.uk/Peter-Jones/...
website: http://www.peterjonesauthor.com
facebook: http://www.facebook.com/peterjonesauthor
twitter: http://www.twitter.com/peterjonesauth

Reviews

[Alison · Rating 5 out of 5]

I normally pooh-pooh this kind of thing as new age mumbo jumbo, but this is a book that's perfect for anyone living a normal ordinary life who wants to make the most of every day. From the very first suggestion - Boxing Day, a day every month when you do whatever you want - through to setting goals and actually finding the time to achieve them, this book is full of ideas that you will really want to do, rather than airy fairy concepts that you know will never make it off the pages of the book. Possibly the best part of book is the last section, where there's a summary of all the concepts the book throws up, along with easy checklists that help you put the concepts into action - because thinking positive is all well and good but it's actually doing stuff that makes happiness, well, happen!

Since reading the book I've already made a Now List and a Goals List and have started saving stuff for my Trophy Board ... and it's already made me happier!

Peter Jones writes in a lovely conversation style so he quickly feels like a friend, or perhaps that bloke down the pub or the gym who
knows what he's talking about.

I'd definitely recommend this book to anyone who wants to get more out of life but doesn't think reading The Secret is the way it's going to happen ... this is real life ideas for real life happiness.

[Elizabeth Ducie · Rating 5 out of 5]

There's not a huge amount of new theory in this great little book; in fact anyone who's familiar with time management, SMART objectives and project management will recognise much of it. What makes it different is Peter Jones' wonderful style. He's chatty, he's approachable, he's very funny - but he knows how to be hard-hitting too. He tells it how it is - achieving your goals (assuming you've managed to work out what they are) isn't easy; it takes hard work - but it CAN be done. I'm usually very cynical about self-help books, but this is a one-man campaign "to reclaim these sensible, practical, powerful ideas and represent them, without the fluff, without the mystique, and with a distinctly European flavour." I've always used a diary - but from now on, I will use it better. I loved this book.

[Cheryl · Rating 5 out of 5]

Are you unhappy with your life? Do you wish that you could take a happy pill and things would magically be like sunshine and rainbows? Well it can be. Ok, so maybe not really but you do deserve to be happy. We all do!

In author, Peter Jones book, How to Do Everything and Be Happy, Mr. Jones helps provide you with the tools to make some changes in your life and start doing the things you want to do and not what you have to do. First off, I do want to warn you that Mr. Jones does not make you promises or try to preach to you, he only shares with you his experiences and what he did that helped make a difference. What you decide to do with this information in this book is up to you. I can tell you though that I was not finished reading this book and already I was talking to my co-worker about it.

In this book, Mr. Jones breaks out into different topics. The first is General Unhappiness. He explains how important it really is to have a even Work/Life balance. One of the saying in the book that I liked was “Everything will be alright in the end. If it’s not alright, it’s not the end.” Mr. Jones shares that when his wife was alive, he and her would have their own “Boxing Day”. This is the day, when they would do whatever they wanted…unplanned. This is the key to Boxing day…whatever you want to do have to be unplanned. There are three rules to having you own “Boxing Day”.
Rule 1 –no pre planning
Rule 2 plan the date
Rule 3 you can move the day but you can not cancel it

How to Do Everything and Be Happy is an insightful book. I think everyone should check out.

[Kim · Rating 4 out of 5]

I know there are lots of "self help" books out there! This one actually makes you sit down and look at the ways you can (and should) carve time out of your life to do the things you ENJOY instead of just the things we have to do! I loved it!

[Margaret Mary · Rating 5 out of 5]

Very upbeat, yet realistic book.

[Gerd · Rating 4 out of 5]

Let’s head straight for the pressing question:
Do self-help guides help you help yourself?

Not if you’re me, no, they don’t.
Actually I’m bound to tell people that if there’s a superfluous genre of books then it has to be self-help guides.
This simply lies in the nature of the product, because most self-help guides I read – and I read quit a few, as you’ll notice if you check my shelves – can be summoned up as saying:
If your life needs to change, change it.

Now, if I could do that I wouldn’t read those books, would I?
Instead I would be out and about changing my life. But, alas!, I’m not the kind of guy that reacts well to change.
So we’ve got a product that doesn’t work for those that need it, and that those for whom it might work don’t need.
Promising start there!

Yet I love me to read self-help guides (dating guides and how to save your relationship advise mostly). I probably have a masochistic vein that enjoys to be told how my life could change if only I would. Well, not that much enjoyment there, because atop of not being helpful at all, most of the guides I read did commit a crime far worse:
Self-help guides take themselves far to serious to be enjoyed!

If you read the above passage and still are with me you sure want to know now how “How to do everything and be happy” does fare?
Me, I’d say splendid!

Not that I became any more confident, or any more contented with my live, not in a meaningful way so; lest we count the happiness that comes from reading a good book, that is.

“How to do everything and be happy” is a list makers dream, if making lists already makes you happy on it’s own the book will sate you for a lifetime, and it is a well thought out guide giving you techniques to take active control of your life – none of them so far out as not to be implemental – using afore made lists, and finally the author reminds us to cherish the memories we build and offers some sensible advice how.

So, as told I can’t guarantee you that this book is going to help you change your life, if it needs to be changed, or to change yourself if need be, but time spend reading it sure isn’t wasted. Author Peter Jones manages with a seeming ease the difficult balancing act of delivering a thought provoking read in a light, entertaining voice without losing reader attention.

Truly a good read which takes a number two spot in faves-list for self-help guides; Sharyn Wolf’s Guerrilla Dating Guide firmly holds the number one spot, by the way.

[Linda Parkinson-Hardman · Rating 5 out of 5]

I picked up this eBook on a whim and because I was looking for an 'answer' to the eternal problem of what shall I do with my life. Whilst I didn't get the answer I expected, I got one that was far more appropriate for me and my love of being in control and writing lists. I now have a 'Now List', a 'Wish List' and three goals that I am working on. This is far more than I have ever done before and consequently I feel like I'm finally back in control of my life and my happiness. Peter's simple approach and less than 'americanised' instructions really appeal as there is little in the way of 'let's all be happy clappy about this', instead it's practical and easy to implement.

Of course, I have read (and continue to read) a lot of self-help books and I have done a lot of 'personal work' over the years so I'm comfortable with things like affirmations, the spiritual side of life and accept that I do indeed create my own reality and experience. All I can say is thank you to Peter for putting it all, finally, into a book us Brit's can read quite happily and I can now get on with the task (opps Goal) of marketing my new novel, happy that I have a structure behind me with which to do it. Woman On The Edge Of Reality

PS: for those of you who may find it hard to do affirmations, try singing them in the car when you're on your own to a made up tune, it works wonderfully and really get's you smiling along the way too.

[Lyn Richards · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really enjoyed this book by Peter Jones. It was well written and easy to read. As I read the book it was so easy to put the tips and advice into action and start seeing results right away.

I thoroughly recommend this book, it will change the way in which you look at your time and what you want to achieve in the time you have.

Life is short, make the most of it.

[Rachael Quinn · Rating 4 out of 5]

Straight up, I liked this book. I am not going to lie here. It was not what I was expecting. I was expecting a book that would help me get a grip on my endless to do list and not make me consider moving into a shack in the woods by midweek every week. I expected a book about how to get everything done, no do everything. Those are two vastly different things. When I realized that Jones wasn’t necessarily help me with those things, I still kept reading because I’m a fiend for happiness books and, honestly, it was reading really quickly and my numbers are a bit lower than I would like.

There were things I didn’t like about this book, so let’s get it out there. Mostly, I didn’t like that sometimes Jones takes on a superior attitude. Sometimes an opinion sneaks in that shouldn’t be there. I learned to breeze right over them after a while because I did like the meat of the book.

I DID like the meat of the book. It’s not like this is anything new it’s just that it is so easy to get caught up in the little daily things and forget about the big things and that is what I think Jones is trying to correct. He argues that there are a few things we need. We need a break, first, and that he accomplishes by suggesting you take one day a month for what he calls a Boxing Day but is really a day when you just do what you want, on a whim. We need to do the things that we always talk about doing “someday” because the someday we’re waiting for may never come. We need a list of things we want and we need to set goals and actively pursue them.

Nobody has ever made the idea of setting goals sound like such a great idea.

I will not do everything in this book. In fact, I may only do a couple of things. I can tell you this, though. Just reading this book made me feel… in control. Empowered. Since I started reading the book, I tried to make more time to enjoy the things that matter. I rescheduled a lawn maintenance session so that I could go to an antique mall with Hubby. I drove through for an iced tea on a particularly fine morning. More than that, I’ve taken to time to ask myself what I really want, to look into it, and to recognize that fear of actually getting those things is normal.

I enjoyed this and I feel great but I can only speak for myself.

[Beth · Rating 4 out of 5]

So far am really enjoyingig this book. I tried a sample on my Kindle and then ended up downloading it all. I especially like that it's not another "this is how you balance kids, spouse, carpooling, etc..." book. I don't have any of those so books that are targeted there don't help me much. He's fun to read, too. Especially the flotation deprivation experience and his obvious admiration for Mariah Carey cover albums (sarcasm intended).
Will it make your life deleriously happy? Probably not. But then, Mr. Jones doesn't promise that. What I've read so far has made me get out pen and paper, make some goals and clean out the cabinet in my bathroom as well as order a catalog for tours of Irish castles and inquire about golf lessons so I won't make a fool of myself in front of G-Mac and Phil when we play.

Favorite quote from book: "she was, to use her own words, flummoxed--unable to see how being a busy parent was different from being a busy anything else."

I changed the name of mine to Monkey Day and I use my I-Phone calendar. Check out the book to find out what that means.

[Pauline · Rating 3 out of 5]

An enjoyable read and certainly contained some interesting ideas. However, I don't expect I'll be implementing anything from this book. For example:
~ If you don't already use some kind of calendar/scheduling system, no wonder your life is chaotic
~ The idea of a 'boxing day' once a month (where you wake up and do exactly what you please) is totally unrealistic. Even if I were to schedule such a thing, I know I'd wake up and take care of to-do's instead. I'm pretty sure Mr Jones' self-employed status makes this much more viable for him.
~ I was dying to get to the chapter where he points out there's no way you can do 'everything', so the sooner you get that idea out of your head, the better. Sadly, he didn't.
All that said, some of the concepts and reminders were helpful, especially the necessity of choosing goals and working towards non-bucket list enjoyment items.
By all means, pick this book up and take a look, but you might want to get it from the library before reaching into your pocket.

[Tami · Rating 4 out of 5]

Sometimes, life gets away from us. We start out life with all these hopes and dreams. As a kid, we assume that good things will happen to us. Deep down we believe that happiness and success are our destiny. Yet, there’s a moment when we realize that the life we dreamed about isn’t the life we live.

How to Do Everything and Be Happy is a bit of a wakeup call. If there is something in life you want to do or you want to change your life in some small or large way, now is the time to do it. Life is short and it could all end in an instant. So if you really want to make a change, then take action.

How to Do Everything and Be Happy is all about action and making the most out of life. Don’t just think about doing something make a plan and schedule it- in your calendar. Don’t let time slip by without taking enjoying life, schedule it- in your calendar. Take the time, make a plan, then follow through.

[Nikki Bywater · Rating 3 out of 5]

Have you ever thought that you are not satisfied with the way your life is going? Would you like to do something about your situation and work to become happier?

If you are looking to improve your life and get the best out of it and to make life happier, then this is the book for you.

Peter Jones writes this self-help book in a simple easy to follow step by step guide. It is written with good humour that makes it an enjoyable read and learning progress thanks to the warm and witty words. It has some great visual aids that keep you interested throughout the book. Peter Jones teaches techniques in a practical down to earth way. The methods he uses are really unique and will have you walking down the yellow brick road of happiness in no time.

Learn how to take the control back in your life by turning wishes into goals.

[Wendy Steele · Rating 5 out of 5]

So many self-help books say 'THIS IS THE WAY!' but Peter Jones says 'Hi there, I'd like to share some stuff with you, stuff that's worked for me' so, as a reader, one can do it all or just utilise the sections that need working on in your own life.

Read it all first, of course, but then there are so many options and ideas that you can apply to you....that's the beauty in fact....it's all about YOU!

This book is for everyone who wants more happiness in there life. As a working mum, to make space in my life for what I really want, has been refreshing, uplifting and inspiring.
Since reading the book, I signed up for and completed a four day intensive dance course I didn't think I was capable of and I've completed a novel....YOU can do anything...YOU can do EVERYTHING!

[Jane Ayres · Rating 4 out of 5]

Refreshing to find a self-help book which avoids much of the usual jargon - and British humour too! I used to be a bit of a SH book addict so have read quite a few in the past. I enjoyed this. Lots of practical advice and suggestions (much of which I practise already, which was interesting!). I'm a big fan of using diaries and writing stuff down, like the author. Easy to read and written with a light touch but also the impression that the writer really does care about his readers. Genuine and helpful.

[Mel · Rating 5 out of 5]

A self-help book that is sensible, practical and realistic. Peter Jones tells it like it is, but at the same time, tells you how it can be!

As someone who lives in a permanent state of disorganisation, this was the perfect guide to ensuring that I get to do what I need to do, as well as making time to do the things that I didn't think I had time to.

Inspiring, motivating, and encouraging.

I'm off to write on my wall planner now!

[Louise Nguyen · Rating 4 out of 5]

Peter makes some really good points in this book which I've tried to apply to my life, specifically positive self talk. I should have read this book in the 2 week time frame he recommended, but was pleased that he summarised his points in the final chapter.

At times I felt he waffled on a bit, but I guess there will be readers that will not grasp simple concepts unless it is shoved in their faces

[Margaret · Rating 4 out of 5]

I listened to this book, and the author has such a cheerful tone that it's hard not to like it. I don't really expect anything new from such books, but I was wrong in this case. I don't know if following his advice will make me happier, but there were some good tips on achieving goals. And since I am always looking for material to share with students, I was quite satisfied with my purchase.

[Elise · Rating 2 out of 5]

Set goals. Then do them. Don't forget to give yourself some downtime. Voila! Instant happiness! Why do I keep reading these lousy books? Just because a book is free on the kindle doesn't mean I have to read it!

[Wordwizard · Rating 2 out of 5]

Skimmed. Some useful information about scheduling impetuosity and so forth. Could have been shorter--I get the feeling that his blog might be a better medium for this information, and he's doing this book to make money. Nothing wrong with that, but... meh.

[JP · Rating 2 out of 5]

I can call this book more friendly. To learn the way to reach happiness. Everyone know happiness sometimes based on achievement, this book help you to achieve your wishlist The journey of the book look so casual. and impressed.

[Andrew · Rating 5 out of 5]

Plenty of ideas to evaluate and improve your life and happiness.

Take time to figure out what you want and then make time to do that.

Basic principles presented in a realistic way b

[Fairy-fay Thomson · Rating 4 out of 5]

Practical, funny, focused. Easy to use & once you start making lists, it feels like the world's your oyster

[Conrad Toft · Rating 5 out of 5]

The dry, British humour of this one is probably too much for some people but their is some great advice wrapped up in an amusing package.

[Jill · Rating 5 out of 5]

good read with practical advise - wait and see what the outcome of my first Boxing Day is......................

[Sue · Rating 4 out of 5]

Fun book by Brit Peter Jones. I will be incorporating some of the ideas from the book. Refreshing read.

[Harsha Sannareddy · Rating 2 out of 5]

Worth Reading...

When you are looking for these kind of books. it's better to choose Robin Sharma books...

[Gemini · Rating 4 out of 5]

So this was pretty interesting & different than your typical be happy type book. It's not about being positive-thankfully. It does make you think about the different things in your life though. You have to determine what piece you're not happy about too. Since there is a difference between personal vs. professional. Asking yourself what you want out of life or what you want to do before you die really makes you ponder things in your life. This is where thinking about yourself & what you want really is ok, which is hard for most people to actually do.
There are plenty of suggestions, mainly making lists. Lots of lists. The whole thing is these aren't your regular type of everyday lists so to speak. It's maybe peculiar when you think about it, but then again when you look at how it can only make you see things in your life differently, then why not? I am going to have to refer back to this book as well as following him on social media as well. There are various ways to follow along to what he suggests in order to make this happen so you might as well start since it can't hurt, right? Well some people might not agree w/ his methods but give it a chance. You just have to work at it since nobody else will do it for you.

[Cynthia A · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a non-fiction book written by a British man. Peter Jones essentially says that happiness is a habit, something we work toward. It doesn't just happen. This book contains his suggestions on making that happen. He also acknowledges some counterarguments/concerns. He gives relatable examples and has dashes of humor throughout to keep readers engaged.

Warning- Spoilers ahead:
He recommended getting a hold of your time by use of a "diary" (planner). He suggests making lists and setting days to work on the items on that list.
For example:
-"Boxing day", is a day where you do whatever you want without planning ahead.
-"Now List day" is a day where you either do what's on your list or do some research/ planning for that item. (Bucket list vibes).
-"Wish list" Things you want to do, can be anything outrageous so long as it's within the realm of possibility.

There were other suggestions such as a "trophy board" (vision board), a "friends and family day", etc. He emphasized that rescheduling any of these days was okay but canceling them defeats the purpose of progress.

Would recommend it if the topic was brought up.

[Rain · Rating 5 out of 5]

I bought this book when I use to live in Japan, when I was overworked to exhaustion and had a mountain of things I wanted to do in my life, but no time. The title of the book just spoke to me and I impulse-bought it.

The method proposed by Peter Jones to do everything in life revolves around creating days for doing things impulsively, for doing things that require planning, and for doing things that require perseverance. He advocates using a diary to safeguard your time and smart tracking of your targets, among other activities.

The activities the author proposes are quite simple. His method feels very obvious, but I like the fact that it was there for me to read clearly.

I'm currently putting in practice all his recommendations. So far, it's going great! I'll update this review after a few months to see the author's advice in retrospective.