It's All in Your Head

by Stephen M. Pollan, Mark Levine

Here are the simple truths that motivate people of any age to find and accept lasting happiness, illustrated with the stories of real people, and illuminated with the observations of spiritual leaders and great philosophers.

For more than three decades, attorney, financial consultant, and life coach Stephen M. Pollan has been advising clients and readers on the business of living--everything from home buying and employment contracts to marriage and parenting. He has taught his clients and readers to "Die Broke" (use assets rather than build up an estate), to stage "Second Acts" (reinvent their lives), and, most recently, to "Fire Your Boss" (take charge of their own work lives).

Throughout these books, Pollan stresses that attitudes as well as actions are essential to success. Indeed, over the years he realized that the happiest and most successful people he'd met were also those who were the most energetic and exuberant, regardless of their age. By noting these attributes and incorporating them in his own life, Pollan came to understand that our attitudes are not just one element of succeeding at the business of living, they are in fact the foundation of leading a happy life.

Attitude is everything.

Those attitudes most essential to our deepest satisfaction and happiness reflect what our spiritual leaders and philosophers from every major tradition have taught us. We don't have to look to external forces to validate us and give us self-worth. We already have within us all we need to find fulfillment and lead happy, satisfying lives--lives without regrets.

To finally be happy we need to accept responsibility for our own happiness. When we know the secrets are already inside us, all we have to do is start living them. With this book, we can begin now.

Genres: Self Help, Nonfiction, Psychology, Personal Growth

240 pages, Kindle Edition

First published January 1, 2005

Reviews

[Robin · Rating 3 out of 5]

Things most of us know but sometimes forget. Good reminders.

[Sherry · Rating 3 out of 5]

There are some really good common sense tips in this book to help you get out of your head and find happiness. If you read this book in the past and would like a reminder of the concepts learned or would like to review some of the exercises again the book is now available in audiobook format. https://www.acx.com/titleview/A3ODPOZ...

[Rhonda · Rating 1 out of 5]

I didn't care for the way this book was written.

[Hanan Altukhaifi]

Cliche..

[jillian (jill) · Rating 2 out of 5]

super obvious information and mostly filled with examples of other people choosing happiness, but still nice to read.

[Jayson · Rating 2 out of 5]

Repetitive writing style. The authors almost made it like an essay for a school requirement. Too many examples only to show the same principle at the very last paragraph with no additional information other than the life histories of the people mentioned.

The authors are readers that I can see. They even mentioned The Lord of the Rings which is my most favourite book series. But the author didn't have to tell me who played this character in a film and who produced it or when it was released. This is after all a how-to book and not a book and movie guide.

Luckily the book has key points for every chapter and exercises at the appendix (which I appreciate a lot). This is a good book if you're just starting to read this genre but if you've read the likes of Gladwell, Carnegie, Covey, and Maxwell you will find this rather boring.

Pollan seems like a good guy though.

[Caitlin Delaney · Rating 3 out of 5]

Easy read with examples and stories that remind you that tomorrow is too late. It’s more of an overview with important reminders or quotes that prod you into remembering that we have one life. We have this moment. Also, I’ve found the situations to be helpful for putting yourself in others lives. The author brings up the harm of comparison, which is a thriving issue in our society. Overall, it was worth the read. Sometimes we all need a good reminder that life is special.

[Lucy]

Has some good reminders here and there, but poorly written. Had I not bought this back in 2014 wouldn’t have finished it.

[Nadia · Rating 3 out of 5]

That is an easy read to remind basic things in life

[Alison · Rating 5 out of 5]

I'm re-reading this one. I need a reminder of some of the great ideas in it!

So many "self help" books are filled with psychobabble and are hard to relate to real life. This book is the exact opposite. Each chapter explains, in very clear terms, one thing that keeps many of us from feeling truly happy (for example, envying what others have) and then provides easy, reasonable solutions and rational for overcoming this. It's so easy to relate to what the authors are saying - they even provide tons of examples from popular books & movies to emphasize what they're trying to explain.
Sure, there's no one secret that will guarantee happiness to everyone, but after reading this book I can honestly say that I have several new outlooks on life, and yes, am a bit happier!

[Sandra · Rating 4 out of 5]

1/3 of the book, and I just feel that I found myself reading each word from it without taking a brake.
This book brought out the real "I" that I was looking for the past 12 years.
Now, no wonder why I have been feeling unhappy.
This book had showed me the truth I'm afraid to face.
"Tomorrow is too late", so I shouldn't look for the right moment but take action in the moment.
I have been living in my past, and thinking about future, but this reading is showing me I should live "in the now".
Now [just this second] I'm a new person trying to live and do what I like the most, being thankful with my loved ones, and forget about seeking happiness 'cause it only will make me feel miserable.

[Jessi · Rating 5 out of 5]

Constructive and entertaining, a great quick read. When you're unhappy, it's always technically your choice whether or not to turn that frown upside down or stay in the dumps, no matter how tragic/disgusting/irritating the situation may be. Knowing that, it's still easier said than done sometimes. This book really does put things in perspective -- it addresses the main reasons most people feel unhappy, and provides real concrete examples of ways to change the underlying attitudes that effect happiness. Treats the cause, not the symptoms.

[Laura Nelson · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was an easy-to-read book reiterating what most of us already know are the secrets to being happy. Points that really stuck with me include the idea that there is never a perfect time to do anything, so you may as well do it now AND it's okay to remember the past and hope for the future, but it's important to live in the present or you are not a human BEing.

I picked this up at a thrift store so not sure I would recommend someone pay full price for it as the ideas are fairly typical of self-help pursuit of happiness books.

[Denise Sharpe]

I enjoy the "self-help" books. Anything that is easy reading and that I feel I can apply to my life in one form or another. I am what you called overly happy but I found great tools and exercises that I can use with family, friends and clients when just being that great listener and needing to share insight with others on there life and current or previous situation. A must for anyone needing validation that they already have the answers within.

[Juli]

I picked this up at my local used bookstore on a day when I felt I needed support in reorienting positively and productively to my life. I'm just 26 pages in. The authors have spent decades advising and coaching middle to upper class clients on finances, careers, big life decisions, etc. While some of the examples they use so far spark judgement around the authors' privileged target audience, I have to admit that they still apply to me.

[Mckinley · Rating 4 out of 5]

Although typically thought of as a financial guy, here he's (co)written a book about how money isn't the answer. In fact this book covers the bases of how we let ourselves feel badly. Easy to read, full of anecdotes,

[Cheryl Lawyer · Rating 5 out of 5]

Helps to open up your thinking. Shows how comparing ourselves to others causes us misery. We may admire certain people but have we really thought about all they deal with in their lives? Do we want their problems?

[Steph A]

Really liked this book which is an easy read and full of persuasive and entertaining examples to illustrate the theories. It all made perfect sense and had a big impact on my personal development. Recommended

[J. Schmidt · Rating 3 out of 5]

There are some good ideas in this book and you can nicely speed read it if you only read the summaries at the end of the chapters. 3 stars because there are many other much better books on happiness out there.

[Ahmad Nazeri · Rating 3 out of 5]

Overall, some good insights and reflections on happiness. However, most of the points that the book makes are common sense and a lot of the book is reflections on happiness, referencing movies and anecdotal examples, instead of established scientific research.

[Bill Martin · Rating 5 out of 5]

!!!!

[Julia · Rating 5 out of 5]

If you're ever struggling trying to find meaning and happiness in life, this is the book for you. It gave me some life altering perspectives and a whole new outlook on life!

[Melissa · Rating 5 out of 5]

this book is not as cheesy as it cover may suggest.

[Cory · Rating 4 out of 5]

You bet it's all in your head! A nice, not-too preachy way of telling people happiness is within, not external. No one outside of you makes you happy or unhappy.

[Marianne · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another happy book, clear concise and a quick read - so you can get on with the busy of being happy. :-)

[Lori Grant · Rating 5 out of 5]

A must-read book on happiness in self development for knowledge workers, managers, executives, and entrepreneurs.

[Valeria · Rating 1 out of 5]

Boring. Good ideas, by Didnt like how Its written.