What do you think?
Rate this book
The 3 Promises: Find Joy Every Day. Do What You Love. Make A Difference. by David J. Pollay
In his blockbuster book The Law of the Garbage Truck David J. Pollay showed how to deflect the negativity that derails our goals and leaves us stressed and miserable. Now, in this inspiring follow-up, Pollay explains how making three simple promises to yourself—“to find joy every day, do what you love, and make a difference”—can radically enhance every aspect of your life. Illustrating his points through memorable, personal stories, Pollay makes it simple to practice transformative strategies that help us achieve fulfillment.
- GenresNonfiction
Hardcover
First published October 21, 2014
8 people are currently reading
340 people want to read
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 10 of 10 reviews
January 24, 2016
The book is organised into numerous short chapters, each chapter spanning a few pages. In each chapter, the author teaches how to focus on and achieve one "promise" in your life (i.e. to "find joy every day; do what you love; make a difference"). Every chapter starts with a personal analogy, and all the advice given is based upon this.
I was skeptical that the author had so many stories to tell, especially of those concerning his own life and family. Many of them seemed extremely corny, and I found myself either rolling my eyes at the contrived sentimentality or raising my eyebrows in disbelief that something like that really happened to this person. It seemed to me that at least some stories must have been made up just so the author could "teach" something. I must repeat, "contrived" is really the word here.
(Also, how could the author - a 50-year-old man - remember with such clarity and detail so many events that happened in his life, especially numerous ones which occurred in his childhood?)
However, I must stress that my concern about the stories being fabricated, is solely my own opinion and the feeling I got based on what I read. I mean, perhaps they were indeed true and there really are people who behave in such mawkishly sappy ways as the author describes (e.g. telling family members you love them at the end of every single meeting). It's just that I've personally never met any such people or know of any "normal" people who think or act like that.
So did the book make any difference in my life? Well, aside from the rather insufferable schmaltziness, I did find some advice useful, though the majority was very generic or commonsensical. For instance, things like cherishing your loved ones and letting them know you love them constantly, in case they are suddenly taken from you; or not getting frustrated over small or inconsequential things... stuff like that. Hardly any revolutionary or life-changing wisdom for me.
But there was one analogy cum lesson which stuck in my mind:
The author (an American) says that when he was in Spain, he tried to tell the locals that the way he was queueing was "the right way", while lining up to buy stuff from a grocery store, even though the locals insisted that he should not queue the way he was, and instead should queue "their way".
I think a lot of people could use the lesson behind this story to make them a better person: Never assume you know "the right way" of doing things. There is never a "right way". When in Rome, do as the Romans do, not as how you think it should be done!
In other words, show some respect for the locals. Whether their behaviour is "right" or "wrong" or "stupid" or whatever is BESIDE THE POINT.
This story resonated a lot with me, because I personally find this a common repulsive behaviour amongst some Caucasians (Whites) especially, when they are here in Asia, and specifically in Singapore - my country. (Because we speak English here, so they find communication with us - compared to many other non-Western countries - a lot easier.) They try to command us locals to behave in ways that suit them, or that they think is "right", or that they are used to back in their own country!
When you are a visitor in another person's house, do you insist that the house owner do things your way? Or allow you to do things your way? No, right?! This is bullying, and reeks of the age-old colonial mentality that many Westerners have - that as long as people are non-White, they are inferior, stupid fools who need Whites to "teach" them how to behave, or the "right" way of doing things!
There is NO right way.
Rules are set by men. If the locals behave the way they do, it's because it suits their location and context. You are not always the know-it-all. You are not always superior. Your way is not necessarily the best way. And besides, who are you to tell them how to behave?! What gives you the right?
I think the above lesson alone was enough for me to give this book at least 2 stars.
I was skeptical that the author had so many stories to tell, especially of those concerning his own life and family. Many of them seemed extremely corny, and I found myself either rolling my eyes at the contrived sentimentality or raising my eyebrows in disbelief that something like that really happened to this person. It seemed to me that at least some stories must have been made up just so the author could "teach" something. I must repeat, "contrived" is really the word here.
(Also, how could the author - a 50-year-old man - remember with such clarity and detail so many events that happened in his life, especially numerous ones which occurred in his childhood?)
However, I must stress that my concern about the stories being fabricated, is solely my own opinion and the feeling I got based on what I read. I mean, perhaps they were indeed true and there really are people who behave in such mawkishly sappy ways as the author describes (e.g. telling family members you love them at the end of every single meeting). It's just that I've personally never met any such people or know of any "normal" people who think or act like that.
So did the book make any difference in my life? Well, aside from the rather insufferable schmaltziness, I did find some advice useful, though the majority was very generic or commonsensical. For instance, things like cherishing your loved ones and letting them know you love them constantly, in case they are suddenly taken from you; or not getting frustrated over small or inconsequential things... stuff like that. Hardly any revolutionary or life-changing wisdom for me.
But there was one analogy cum lesson which stuck in my mind:
The author (an American) says that when he was in Spain, he tried to tell the locals that the way he was queueing was "the right way", while lining up to buy stuff from a grocery store, even though the locals insisted that he should not queue the way he was, and instead should queue "their way".
I think a lot of people could use the lesson behind this story to make them a better person: Never assume you know "the right way" of doing things. There is never a "right way". When in Rome, do as the Romans do, not as how you think it should be done!
In other words, show some respect for the locals. Whether their behaviour is "right" or "wrong" or "stupid" or whatever is BESIDE THE POINT.
This story resonated a lot with me, because I personally find this a common repulsive behaviour amongst some Caucasians (Whites) especially, when they are here in Asia, and specifically in Singapore - my country. (Because we speak English here, so they find communication with us - compared to many other non-Western countries - a lot easier.) They try to command us locals to behave in ways that suit them, or that they think is "right", or that they are used to back in their own country!
When you are a visitor in another person's house, do you insist that the house owner do things your way? Or allow you to do things your way? No, right?! This is bullying, and reeks of the age-old colonial mentality that many Westerners have - that as long as people are non-White, they are inferior, stupid fools who need Whites to "teach" them how to behave, or the "right" way of doing things!
There is NO right way.
Rules are set by men. If the locals behave the way they do, it's because it suits their location and context. You are not always the know-it-all. You are not always superior. Your way is not necessarily the best way. And besides, who are you to tell them how to behave?! What gives you the right?
I think the above lesson alone was enough for me to give this book at least 2 stars.
November 16, 2014
This is a powerful little book that provides strategies to transform your life so that it is more fulfilling and joyous. I'm making a promise to live in the "positive cycle" by finding joy every day, doing what I love and making a difference. I want to consciously choose to be fueled by gratitude, faith, kindness, love and optimism. I'm not going to live in the "garbage cycle" which is fueled by negativity, complaints, pessimism and blame.
August 23, 2017
I enjoyed Pollay's earlier book, The Law of the Garbage Truck, and looked forward to reading The 3 Promises. I was not disappointed. Compact but loaded with powerful insights on how we can achieve a more fulfilling life by Finding Joy Everday, Doing What You Love, Making A Difference. For each of the promises, Pollay give simple yet actionable steps we can take every day.
February 12, 2022
Secara keseluruhan buku ini sangat bagus, didalamnya menjelaskan tentang tiga hal yang dapat kita lakukan sehari-hari untuk meningkatkan kehidupan kita: find joy every day, do what you love, dan make a difference Buku ini dipenuhi dengan kisah-kisah yang penulis alami atau yang penulis ketahui yang memberikan hikmah bagi kita di balik kisah itu.
April 28, 2025
The author covers three topics that are super important to me.
How can I find more joy every day?
How can make a difference?
How can I do what I love?
Not easy topics to cover but I’m glad he tackled them.
How can I find more joy every day?
How can make a difference?
How can I do what I love?
Not easy topics to cover but I’m glad he tackled them.
September 1, 2018
I forget what I was suppose to promise....so not that memorable.
December 17, 2020
I love this book. Brought me productivity.
January 3, 2021
Wonderful book.
January 15, 2020
Pollay demonstrates through stories and examples how the three promises can improve your life and the lives of those around you. First, find joy every day by promoting a positive attitude, laughter, and gratitude. Second, do what you love; employ your strengths (i.e., interests, hobbies, passions). Third, make a difference and express love, caring, and consideration. His simple suggestions are manageable, do not take much time, and are applicable to personal and professional lives. Good reminders from a fellow Wisconsin-ite!
December 12, 2015
David Pollay's second book. I know David well. I nice book with practical life lessons.
Displaying 1 - 10 of 10 reviews