Toxic Success: How to Stop Striving and Start Thriving

by Paul Pearsall

A clinical psychoneuroimmunologist and specialist in mental healing presents a proven plan for "detoxifying" a busy, distracted life to achieve a mental environment that is marked by clarity. Reprint. 25,000 first printing.

Genres: Nonfiction

354 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 2002

About the author

Dr. Paul Pearsall was a licensed clinical neuropsychologist, clinical professor at the University of Hawai`i, and on the Board of Directors of the Hawai`i State Consortium for Integrative Health Care. He was a member of the heart transplant study team at the University of Arizona School of Medicine and Senior Research Advisor for the Human Energy Systems Laboratory at the University of Arizona.

Reviews

[Tami · Rating 5 out of 5]

We all want to be successful and we are sure that we know how to achieve success. It's all about hard work and sacrifice. If we just work a little harder, a little faster, a little longer, or if we become better at multitasking we'll get that promotional, earn more money, and our lives will be perfect.

The problem is that the more we focus our efforts on becoming successful, the less we remember the reason we wanted to be successful in the first place. Success, at any cost, becomes our focus and we forget all about our health, our friends, our family, and actually enjoying life. For those that actually achieve this pinnacle, their focus becomes staying on top so winning the game isn't really possible.

Toxic Success states that the real success doesn't come from how much money is in your bank account, how many cars you have, or how impressive your job description. True success comes from feeling content and spending your time how and with whom you want. The key to this type of thriving is neither easy nor a quick fix. In fact, you have to completely change your attitude. You probably won't earn as much money or have as much stuff to impress other people with but really connecting to those around you and feeling like a success is well worth the difficult journey

[Rae · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a great book. It was all I hoped it would be and more. It is not just written for people climbing for a CEO position, it is for all of us living in this new age of fast paced environment. It discusses the impact that this hustle can have on our loved ones, our health, our overall joy in life. I thought it was thorough and well written. More people should be reading this book.

[Helen King · Rating 4 out of 5]

Surprisingly insightful - I say surprising, as there are so many books out there, and many do not say very much. This, in essence, boils down to why people can be seen as 'successful' but not feel it - because they are pursuing outcomes that, even if achieved, can feel empty. It suggests a better way of considering 'success' and approaches to refocusing towards these. But to do so will mean very much going against the grain of a consumer based society - I think it could be a lifelong challenge, but one worth considering.

[Lloyd · Rating 5 out of 5]

great book on learning what is important and how to slow down in life.. a little verbose writing but still worth the read for those who feel stressed by life..