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What You Think of Me Is None of My Business

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You have a God-given right to happiness, wealth, and success. In this dynamic book by Reverend Terry Cole-Whittaker, you’ll learn how to cast off the shackles of fear and false beliefs to discover your own inner path—the route to your inborn talents and limitless potential!

Explore your deepest feelings with self-awareness strategies and consciousness-raising exercises. Learn how to cope with physical, mental, and spiritual problems, involving love, money, risk-taking, relationships, guilt, self-reliance, self-image, sexuality, and more. It’s all here in one astonishing the motivation, tools, and tactics to resolve personal conflicts—and change your life forever!

*This audiobook includes a downloadable PDF that contains the Self-Awareness Strategies and Exercises and Marriage Vows from the book.

Audible Audio

First published January 1, 1979

179 people are currently reading
1998 people want to read

About the author

Terry Cole‐Whittaker

19 books19 followers
Terry Cole-Whittaker was born in Los Angeles. Rev. Terry aka Dr. Terry, was a New Thought author and United Church of Religious Science minister, and the founder of Terry Cole-Whittaker Ministries and Adventures in Enlightenment.

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5 stars
207 (39%)
4 stars
147 (28%)
3 stars
113 (21%)
2 stars
36 (6%)
1 star
21 (4%)
Displaying 1 - 30 of 54 reviews
27 reviews2 followers
February 12, 2010
I came across a quote: "Never explain yourself, your friends dont need it & your enemies will never believe it!"

It's really remarkable how much we tend to allow the opinions of others to control us! So my personal philosophy is, and I teach my kids this every day, BE THE BEST YOU CAN BE!! and remember --What You Think of Me is NONE of My Business!!!!

This book helped encourage me to keep my personal philosophy in the forefront of my mind every day, not only for me but for my kids too-so I could lead by example with confidence.

Read it! You won't regret it!
Profile Image for Karen.
179 reviews
January 3, 2010
I was disappointed in this book. It was not what I was expecting to read. The author seems to contradict herself in some of her belifs. I did not agree with a lot of what this author wrote about and she had me questioning what her idea of who God really is. There were a handful of things that were helpful but all in all I would not recommend this book.
Profile Image for Cassie Bentley-Bradshaw.
270 reviews18 followers
April 22, 2025
What a wild ride. This is this kookiest book I’ve ever read. At times I literally could not determine if it was satire or not. And yet there were still some good points and interesting takes. But also insane.
1 review
September 7, 2013
I hope this book is translated into every language possible, so it can help as many people in the world as it helped to English speakers. It is my constant reference and positive reminder for many basics. I read it over and over again. I was bullied at work when I was fresh out of a nursing school. THIS BOOK made a difference in my life. First thing I will do when my kids are older, I will introduce them to many of the concepts form this wonderful book. I also taught my mom to take it easy and how to cut off all those losers and manipulators from her life for good. Awesome book for anyone from 16 to 99 years of age!!!
16 reviews2 followers
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February 8, 2011
Let go of outside expectations. Give it up because Terry Cole Whitaker transforms your thoughts with the mantra - what you think of me is none of my business.

Learn to pay attention to who you are and not be a composite of the expectations of others. Live authentically without pretense. Get rid of the programmed conditioning that binds your life with unwarranted expectations.

I recommend this book in every one of my seminars, it's that good.
16 reviews
January 10, 2021
Book about everything - I don`t like such types of books. Strange that Larry Winget recomended it. Very new age-ish. And some strange notions, like "everyone dreams about sex with parent" (wtf???), and something like "everyone who died in some way wanted to die". Book about fat, divorces, sex, work, children and so on. "I am expert on everything" type of book.
Profile Image for Trist247.
1 review
July 21, 2008
Amazing read! I learned that I was in charge of my life and that I didn't have to worry about what anyone else thought of me. After reading it I told everyone I knew about it and then I gave it to a friend.
Profile Image for Elaine Copeland.
19 reviews4 followers
June 14, 2010
My friend in sales told me this book would change everything regarding the way I relate to others in business -she was right!! I have an entirely new outlook on self worth and ethics regarding the direction of my personal development. Terri Cole Whittaker is a great motivator and spritual guide.
Profile Image for Priscilla Baldwin.
Author 2 books
August 9, 2025
This book was such a help for me in the beginning of me coming into the knowledge of my people- pleasing era. It helped me to detach and readjust myself, values and learn to set boundaries with others and myself.
Profile Image for Diane.
120 reviews
June 2, 2016
This book transformed my life. I have given this book to many people. This book should be required reading for life.
Profile Image for Jackie.
8 reviews
February 4, 2012
I really did like this book. A great read; especially in a world when we are so concerned with what others think of us.
Profile Image for Amy.
17 reviews
July 19, 2012
A great inspirational read.
25 reviews4 followers
March 20, 2013
Amazing book! Such a positive and uplifting read. It cleared up some unasked questions I'd had and she was really to the point. Held no prisoners! :)
Profile Image for Muzammil.
110 reviews4 followers
July 10, 2021
End of Week 67: Book📘 66 Completed😊: What You Think of Me is None of My Business – Terry Cole-Whittaker #myread4change #read2lead #read4life #books

Even if the title sounds bold or bit of arrogant, Terry shares liberating Idea of taking other’s opinion as what it is, “An Opinion”. This book is a reminder of the Power within ourselves and how we give it away by giving way too more importance to other’s opinion of us.

Once realized, it can empower us to be comfortable in our own skin, take other’s opinion as opinion and not let our life run by it. We give away our power to others by depending on their approval.

As individuals, we are the final authorities on everything in our lives. After all, who else can be the expert on our life? Who else can say what we feel and want? There is no other person, no place, no system, no philosophy, no organization that knows more about us than we do.

Few 🔑Points –

• Terry explains most of the choices we make are unconscious and it is also the purpose of book to heighten consciousness, self-awareness, so that we can choose consciously. She teaches to become beneficiary of Change rather than victim of it.

• if you argue for your limitations long enough, sure enough, they are yours. Start arguing in favor of what you want and recognize that persistence is the key.

• Loved this small yet powerful sentence – “Pray to God, but row to shore.” Meaning have faith that you received what you want, while continuously working for it.

Few📌 Quotes –

1. The hard-to-accept fact is that health is a by-product of your mental and spiritual attitude. It can be a well by-product or an ill by-product

2. Lying is such an accepted way of life on this planet that telling the truth requires great courage.

3. Before we can have a complete relationship with another, we must first have a complete relationship with ourselves.

4. When you give up blame, you create a context in which change can happen.

5. Decisions become easy when you give up the need for approval and the fear of making mistakes.

For Book Summary visit My Blog - https://myreadforchange.com/what-you-...
Profile Image for Kristen.
58 reviews
May 28, 2020
The overall message of this book is a good one. I felt conflicted between the oversimplified, exaggerated examples and the real gems of wisdom here. I’ll start with what I liked.

Overall Terry takes a guilt free, blame free, approach to managing life with your 100% responsibility at the center of it. This is a good life philosophy. I really appreciated objective quotes and povs such as: “Neither money nor happiness crates the other: happiness is a non moneyed experience and is a function of what is going on your life. Money isn’t good or bad. It just is.”

There were little nuggets like that all throughout the book. Point where you stop and go: “huh, well I guess that is true.”

I also really enjoyed the short chapter length - no more than 4 pages, as well as the summary, exercises, and affirmations at the end. Thought was a really useful way to put her tips into practice without having to reach through each topic.

As for the things I didn’t love - they were mainly the chapters on Health and Work. Quotes like: “No one can threaten you unless you buy into that threat” were far too overarching for me. I suppose I understand the sentiment but there are times when you need to call a threat what it is and call the other person our first attacking you. Not acknowledging when you’ve been threatened either physically or emotionally can do some real damage.

She also says that diseases and accidents (such as stubbing your toe) are born out of guilt and and unwillingness to deal with our true feelings. I don’t believe that at all. People who are very in touch with their feelings get sick and/or slam the car door on their fingers accidentally all the time.

All that being said, I still think this book is a read and I do think most people will get something out of it!
Profile Image for Dave Emerald.
31 reviews3 followers
March 12, 2021
‘What you think of me is none of my business’ is a classic self help book. I first read it 7 years ago, back when I was in early recovery and desperate for change.

What I absolutely love, is that Terry covers many topics- such as worthiness, acceptance, creating good habits, love/relationships and financial prosperity. Even though It was written in the late 70s- it has aged very well.

The only criticism I have for this book is that it has not been released with updated format- I can only find poor quality ‘mass market’ paperback copies- or ancient hardcover printings.

‘What You Think Of Me Is None of My Business’ is timeless- and would benefit anyone who takes the time to read and apply it’s message.
Profile Image for Cat Rayne .
601 reviews4 followers
August 10, 2020
A re-read as I was paring my book selection. Still appropriate strategies for self awareness. The title is really the culmination of several “life issues” we as humans encounter. Guilt, purpose, relationships and more. It’s not so much a self-focus as a self appreciation. And author Cole-Whittaker expresses how to move forward in life, without being a self absorbed jerk...

Some reviews state it too religious but thoughts author lays claim to a foundation of God and borrows from scripture it is a subtle, near matter if fact approach. Not heavy handed, so even if you are not a believer there is plenty of good points to increase your personal abilities to handle...life.
52 reviews3 followers
March 9, 2022
This book is inspiring yet at the same time a reminder to believe in yourself, so your best and stay positive. The author used simple language to convey an impeccable message: what you think of me is none of my business, what important is what you think of yourself. "As long as that which you do is ethical, as long as you do not want to hurt, steal, or take from another person, then the lifestyle you choose had to be good". Live your life to the best of your abilities. I encourage everyone to read this inspirational book.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
Profile Image for Paige Rechtman.
15 reviews
May 24, 2017
This is one of the best, most insightful books I've ever read. I will carry the lessons I learned while reading it with me for the rest of my life. She does talk a lot about God and Christ but I took it with a grain of salt and was easily able to interpret the concepts of spirituality and godly power in a way that work for me. I got this book at the library but am going to purchase a copy for myself - it was just wonderful.
Profile Image for Agnesa Asani.
4 reviews
December 28, 2022
I was really disappointed, cause some of the things she mentioned on some of the early pages she relied on her belief and in mine we know that some certain things in that part is different and it was making me confused ( in my belief we know how that part works ). I did like the end content it was really uplifting.
Profile Image for Birgit Itse.
Author 6 books3 followers
June 26, 2024
I had high expectations for this book.
What I loved most about this book was the interpretation what is God.
As a non-religious person, I've always struggled to make religious-origin content in books relatable, but the explanation in this book gave a perspective I can use.

I also liked the explanation for illnesses, and there were some really great stories from real life.

8 reviews
February 21, 2025
This book does an amazing job of keeping us all accountable for our own thoughts and actions. Regardless of where you are in life, this book reminds you that you can do better, be better, and all you need is your own mindset and willingness to grow, to accomplish anything you have ever wanted. I highly recommend this book.
Profile Image for Laladurochka.
5 reviews
January 27, 2018
If you are suffering from feelings of lack of self esteem or bad relationships , it might be helpful. For me the title alone was the most insightful thing of the book. Could have started and stopped there
Profile Image for MBJ.
19 reviews2 followers
May 2, 2019
It was a good read...helps to put things into perspective.
Profile Image for Jon Robnett.
69 reviews1 follower
December 27, 2019
Had to stop reading every early on. Loved the title, but everything is about God and Jesus. Didn't realize I picked up a Christian book
Profile Image for Meghan Castro.
13 reviews
December 29, 2019
This is such an important book for those who find themselves preoccupied with others.
Profile Image for Benjamin Gadbaw.
28 reviews2 followers
August 7, 2021
Great title but pretty superficial coverage of a lot of topics — codependency, food, spirituality.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 54 reviews

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