I found this to be a mildly amusing take on using positive psychology and mindset to combat problems. Although most of the insights were not new, the book offered a good reminder that it is important to sometimes take a step back, breathe, and reframe before diving back in, as how we approach a problem often matters just as much as the problem itself.
The insights here won't feel particularly new to anyone who has spent time in the self-help space. Bashan recycles several stories already popular in modern personal development books, and while there are a handful of fresh examples sprinkled throughout, they aren't quite enough to distinguish from the crowd. However, I did appreciate the insight that the English language is populated with far more negative words than positive ones. Pairing this with the invitation to perform a daily audit on our own communications (emails, texts, DMs) has the opportunity to create powerful personal insights.
Where I think this book could have really thrived is as a podcast. Each chapter offers bite-sized positivity that would land perfectly as a weekly episode—digestible, encouraging, easy to absorb on a morning commute. As a full-length book, however, the material feels stretched thin, making the advice feel broad rather than deep.
If you're new to positive psychology or creative problem-solving, this is a perfectly pleasant starting point. If you've already read widely in this space, you'll find a friendly reminder here but not much new territory.
ALC provided by Netgalley. Courtesy of RBmedia | Ascent Audio.