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From bestselling author John Izzo comes this practical and inspirational guide. He shows that happiness is our natural state and explores five of the thieves that rob us of that innate sense of contentment that should define our lives.
208 pages, Mass Market Paperback
First published January 2, 2017
153 people are currently reading
906 people want to read
About the author
John B. Izzo
14 books17 followersJohn Izzo is the bestselling author of six books and has advised over 500 companies across the globe on creating high engagement, purpose-driven workplaces. He has personally spoken to over one million people and his work has been featured by the likes of Fast Company, Investor’s Business Daily, CNN, Inc. Magazine, and the Wall Street Journal.
He has been a pioneer in understanding the future of workplace trends and what companies must do to succeed in the rapidly shifting world of new expectations. Twice in his career he was a pioneer both in employee engagement and corporate social responsibility (Awakening Corporate Soul, 1994) and changing employee values (Values Shift, 2002/2005). His latest books, the Five Thieves of Happiness and Purpose Revolution will be released in 2017.
He has been a pioneer in understanding the future of workplace trends and what companies must do to succeed in the rapidly shifting world of new expectations. Twice in his career he was a pioneer both in employee engagement and corporate social responsibility (Awakening Corporate Soul, 1994) and changing employee values (Values Shift, 2002/2005). His latest books, the Five Thieves of Happiness and Purpose Revolution will be released in 2017.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 70 reviews
June 22, 2018
Ever since I finished a certification course to become a Happiness Coach, I have been fascinated with trying to understand the science of happiness.
These days, happiness has become a billion-dollar industry. It's a far cry from that bubble spring of happiness that we all know resides in us, but which place is the hardest to reach. John Izzo's book, 'The Five Thieves of Happiness' means well, but lacks any insight. He says that our happiness can be undermined by these five thieves : control, conceit, coveting, consumption, and comfort. If you know the meaning of these words, you have read the book. There are not many practical exercises to guide you through in this understanding, just a so-called mantra. Just the author's explanations of what these five thieves are. The result is that while I could flip through the book easily, I really could not gather more meaning from it. It's good to perhaps be aware of these five 'thieves,' especially 'comfort' as a pattern that we fall back on. But the book failed to move me.
These days, happiness has become a billion-dollar industry. It's a far cry from that bubble spring of happiness that we all know resides in us, but which place is the hardest to reach. John Izzo's book, 'The Five Thieves of Happiness' means well, but lacks any insight. He says that our happiness can be undermined by these five thieves : control, conceit, coveting, consumption, and comfort. If you know the meaning of these words, you have read the book. There are not many practical exercises to guide you through in this understanding, just a so-called mantra. Just the author's explanations of what these five thieves are. The result is that while I could flip through the book easily, I really could not gather more meaning from it. It's good to perhaps be aware of these five 'thieves,' especially 'comfort' as a pattern that we fall back on. But the book failed to move me.
December 9, 2019
You don’t have to acquire happiness — just dust it off and put into effect
Most people assume that events in their lives determine their happiness
To achieve true happiness, disconnect your sense of “happiness from happening”
Being out in nature calms you because you don’t need to take particular action to connect with its serenity
Meditation helps you unite with the spiritual calm that is already within you
5 thieves of happiness
Control
Acceptance is the secret to peace of mind
People’s desire to control uncontrollable things destroy their happiness
Suffering isn’t the result of life events but of humankind’s reluctance to embrace the inevitability of events
You can control your actions but you are powerless over the outcomes of your actions
The troubles occurs when you anticipate an outcome that doesn’t materialize
Regretting the past and worrying about the future prevent from living in the present
Being in the moment means accepting things as they are
Control is often a critical factor in relationships
You have no control over another person’s reaction
All you can control is the sincerity of your action
Meditation can help you brush aside negative thoughts
Conceit
Conceit wants you to forget your fellow beings and focus only on your desires
Combat conceit with giving and being
Act of kindness are better source of happiness than self-centered behaviors
Conceit tries to convince you that your happiness is all that matters
You are on a journey to discover your connections to this world
Celebrate this journey
Coveting
Coveting means you are envious of other people and harbor resentment
Envy fosters discontent and inner turmoil
Our worth is not about how we compare ourselves with others but about truly living to our best potential
Gratitude is the opposite of coveting
Participating in life alongside other people creates happiness
Challenge every habit that no more serves you
Consumption
This thief constantly tells you that you’ll be happy when you have X
Contentment means accepting your circumstances
Consumers believe they can buy happiness
The consumption thief insists you’ll be happy when others love you
You have the innate ability to love yourself
Treating others with love doesn’t require outside assistance
Instead of acquiring things, some people like to travel
Comfort
Comfort wants you to be at ease
Change stimulates and challenge the brain
Comfort tries to convince you that change is unsafe
Battle this thief by doing things differently
Remember that change is good
--
Notice the thieves, catch them red-handed!
Stop and show them the door!
Replace them with something positive
The key to happiness is going with the flow — Ancient Stoics and Buddha
Externals: matters not under my control, choices: I actually control — Epictetus
Devise a Plan B if Plan A doesn’t work
Accept your past mistakes
There are about a million people doing the same at the very same moment
Interesting thing: each and every one of you thinks that they are the only ones affected
Happiness never comes from focusing on your own desires and needs; it comes from helping others — Stoicism
What the others own is not something you can control
So, what’s the point in envying them?
You’ll be happy with your Nissan if nobody is driving a Ferrari or a Rolls Royce
Primitive societies were probably just as happy as the wealthiest individuals of today
You want to be happy? Just choose to be happy
Happiness is a choice
If you’re like 90% of the people, you are living your life in your “comfort zone”
You’re familiar with the environment, and you have just enough access to everything which will grant your survival
But beware: Comfort is the thief of your happiness!
The problem with the comfort zone is that it dulls our emotions and our rational capabilities
To our bodies and our minds, routines are basically the same as idleness is to us
They feel relaxed since they know that it’s autopilot time
People settle in their comfort zones, contended with the fact that even if they are not too happy, at least they are not sad
Comfort becomes toxic to your happiness and spiritual health
Counter it by accepting that change is usually good and that the world is moved forward through a process of creative destructions
Disrupt yourself
Most people assume that events in their lives determine their happiness
To achieve true happiness, disconnect your sense of “happiness from happening”
Being out in nature calms you because you don’t need to take particular action to connect with its serenity
Meditation helps you unite with the spiritual calm that is already within you
5 thieves of happiness
Control
Acceptance is the secret to peace of mind
People’s desire to control uncontrollable things destroy their happiness
Suffering isn’t the result of life events but of humankind’s reluctance to embrace the inevitability of events
You can control your actions but you are powerless over the outcomes of your actions
The troubles occurs when you anticipate an outcome that doesn’t materialize
Regretting the past and worrying about the future prevent from living in the present
Being in the moment means accepting things as they are
Control is often a critical factor in relationships
You have no control over another person’s reaction
All you can control is the sincerity of your action
Meditation can help you brush aside negative thoughts
Conceit
Conceit wants you to forget your fellow beings and focus only on your desires
Combat conceit with giving and being
Act of kindness are better source of happiness than self-centered behaviors
Conceit tries to convince you that your happiness is all that matters
You are on a journey to discover your connections to this world
Celebrate this journey
Coveting
Coveting means you are envious of other people and harbor resentment
Envy fosters discontent and inner turmoil
Our worth is not about how we compare ourselves with others but about truly living to our best potential
Gratitude is the opposite of coveting
Participating in life alongside other people creates happiness
Challenge every habit that no more serves you
Consumption
This thief constantly tells you that you’ll be happy when you have X
Contentment means accepting your circumstances
Consumers believe they can buy happiness
The consumption thief insists you’ll be happy when others love you
You have the innate ability to love yourself
Treating others with love doesn’t require outside assistance
Instead of acquiring things, some people like to travel
Comfort
Comfort wants you to be at ease
Change stimulates and challenge the brain
Comfort tries to convince you that change is unsafe
Battle this thief by doing things differently
Remember that change is good
--
Notice the thieves, catch them red-handed!
Stop and show them the door!
Replace them with something positive
The key to happiness is going with the flow — Ancient Stoics and Buddha
Externals: matters not under my control, choices: I actually control — Epictetus
Devise a Plan B if Plan A doesn’t work
Accept your past mistakes
There are about a million people doing the same at the very same moment
Interesting thing: each and every one of you thinks that they are the only ones affected
Happiness never comes from focusing on your own desires and needs; it comes from helping others — Stoicism
What the others own is not something you can control
So, what’s the point in envying them?
You’ll be happy with your Nissan if nobody is driving a Ferrari or a Rolls Royce
Primitive societies were probably just as happy as the wealthiest individuals of today
You want to be happy? Just choose to be happy
Happiness is a choice
If you’re like 90% of the people, you are living your life in your “comfort zone”
You’re familiar with the environment, and you have just enough access to everything which will grant your survival
But beware: Comfort is the thief of your happiness!
The problem with the comfort zone is that it dulls our emotions and our rational capabilities
To our bodies and our minds, routines are basically the same as idleness is to us
They feel relaxed since they know that it’s autopilot time
People settle in their comfort zones, contended with the fact that even if they are not too happy, at least they are not sad
Comfort becomes toxic to your happiness and spiritual health
Counter it by accepting that change is usually good and that the world is moved forward through a process of creative destructions
Disrupt yourself
May 25, 2017
I really read this to help my son understand where happiness comes from but it reinforced what I have been working on for years. Good book for anyone struggling with finding happiness.
October 26, 2022
I picked this up on a whim at the library and enjoyed it on many levels.
I was wary at first, after learning that Izzo is a Christian minister and there were some allusions to a religious take on happiness. But I was pleased to see that he embraces scientific concepts (Big Bang theory, evolution, etc) and gives a balanced view of ethics, morality and spirituality. It is not a book of religion.
The 5 thieves are distilled from the 7 Buddhist virtues, the 7 deadly sins, the 10 commandments, the 7 essential Sikh values and other familiar virtues. The thieves and their oppostional forces are:
Control - trying to control your past (regret) or your future (worry), trying to control others or having an expected outcome.
The oppositional force is surrender. We need to stay in the present and focus on our own actions in order to find happiness.
Conceit - being focussed on ourselves and surrounding ourselves only with like-minded thinkers, which causes us to think we are above other people or distanced in some way.
The oppositional force is service. By giving and helping others, we develop connection to those we might not otherwise encounter. Listening to divergent opinions allows for a more open mind and a feeling of being part of a larger entity.
Covet - being envious or jealous and wanting something outside of ourselves.
The oppositional force is gratitude Reflect on what you have, your gifts, talents, relationships and find happiness within things/people/ideas that you already have.
Consumption - looking outside yourself for 'things' that will make you happy, like a fancier house, a better job, a nicer car (usually things that can be bought)
The oppositional force is contentment. You have a choice to be happy with what you have. Look within yourself for contentment and satisfaction and realise that some new doo-dad is not going to create happiness. Choose to be happy now.
Comfort - being lulled into complacency because change is unsettling and habits hold us in place. We stick to patterns that we have established which may not be healthy or enriching.
The oppositional force is novelty. The times when we feel most alive are times when we have stepped out of comfort, tried something new (a new sport, a new relationship, a new environment) and taken a risk. Happiness is found in excitement and change.
The book expands on each thief with examples in society, in the world and from the author's experiences. He suggests ways to remove the thieves - notice each of them in your daily life, stop tolerating them and replace these habits with the opposite virtue.
I was wary at first, after learning that Izzo is a Christian minister and there were some allusions to a religious take on happiness. But I was pleased to see that he embraces scientific concepts (Big Bang theory, evolution, etc) and gives a balanced view of ethics, morality and spirituality. It is not a book of religion.
The 5 thieves are distilled from the 7 Buddhist virtues, the 7 deadly sins, the 10 commandments, the 7 essential Sikh values and other familiar virtues. The thieves and their oppostional forces are:
Control - trying to control your past (regret) or your future (worry), trying to control others or having an expected outcome.
The oppositional force is surrender. We need to stay in the present and focus on our own actions in order to find happiness.
Conceit - being focussed on ourselves and surrounding ourselves only with like-minded thinkers, which causes us to think we are above other people or distanced in some way.
The oppositional force is service. By giving and helping others, we develop connection to those we might not otherwise encounter. Listening to divergent opinions allows for a more open mind and a feeling of being part of a larger entity.
Covet - being envious or jealous and wanting something outside of ourselves.
The oppositional force is gratitude Reflect on what you have, your gifts, talents, relationships and find happiness within things/people/ideas that you already have.
Consumption - looking outside yourself for 'things' that will make you happy, like a fancier house, a better job, a nicer car (usually things that can be bought)
The oppositional force is contentment. You have a choice to be happy with what you have. Look within yourself for contentment and satisfaction and realise that some new doo-dad is not going to create happiness. Choose to be happy now.
Comfort - being lulled into complacency because change is unsettling and habits hold us in place. We stick to patterns that we have established which may not be healthy or enriching.
The oppositional force is novelty. The times when we feel most alive are times when we have stepped out of comfort, tried something new (a new sport, a new relationship, a new environment) and taken a risk. Happiness is found in excitement and change.
The book expands on each thief with examples in society, in the world and from the author's experiences. He suggests ways to remove the thieves - notice each of them in your daily life, stop tolerating them and replace these habits with the opposite virtue.
March 3, 2018
Excellent book. Listened to it in one sitting.
October 29, 2019
هذا الكتاب مشهور و فعلا مو كل شي مشهور يعني حلو ويستاهل القراءة! الكتاب فيه كلام وايد واسلوب الكاتب كان ممل جدا بالنسبة لي لدرجة ان الكتاب اخذ مني فترة عشر شهور يمكن عشان اخلصه! من كثر ماهو ممل كنت اقراه و افره و ارجع اقرا منه ٥ صفحات وعلى هالموال لين قلت اخلصه بيوم واحد عشان احلل الفلوس الي شريت فيها الكتاب بس 😅
لكن كان فيه قصص شدتني بس بشكل عام اغلب الكتاب ممل و ماشدني ابدا
لكن كان فيه قصص شدتني بس بشكل عام اغلب الكتاب ممل و ماشدني ابدا
December 29, 2020
Achieve true happiness by disconnecting it to happenings.
Unite with the spiritual calm within you.
5 THIEVES:
1. CONTROL - Being in the moment and accept things as they are. Don't allow errant thoughts of anticipation to achievement bring you unhappiness. Meditate.
2. CONCEIT - Avoid pumping your ego. Connect to everything else. Giving and serving others helps to connect.
3. COVETING - Don't be envious of others. Avoid comparison to others. Jealousy is unhappiness. Be grateful for what you have and are.
4. CONSUMPTION - Happyness doesn't depend on X. External acquisitions won't bring happiness.
5. COMFORT - Deep-seated patterns will rut you. Do things differently and adopt change as a rule.
Avoid the thieves by:
-Notice and be aware of the thieve.
-Stop. Stop doing/thinking through the thieve.
-Replace and substitute thoughts and actions for positive ones.
Unite with the spiritual calm within you.
5 THIEVES:
1. CONTROL - Being in the moment and accept things as they are. Don't allow errant thoughts of anticipation to achievement bring you unhappiness. Meditate.
2. CONCEIT - Avoid pumping your ego. Connect to everything else. Giving and serving others helps to connect.
3. COVETING - Don't be envious of others. Avoid comparison to others. Jealousy is unhappiness. Be grateful for what you have and are.
4. CONSUMPTION - Happyness doesn't depend on X. External acquisitions won't bring happiness.
5. COMFORT - Deep-seated patterns will rut you. Do things differently and adopt change as a rule.
Avoid the thieves by:
-Notice and be aware of the thieve.
-Stop. Stop doing/thinking through the thieve.
-Replace and substitute thoughts and actions for positive ones.
July 18, 2020
كتاب اللصوص الخمسة للسعادة
الكاتب/ د.جون ازو
عدد الصفحات/ ١٥٤
نبذة:
يزعم إزو ان السعادة هي حالتنا الطبيعية.
ولكن السعادة تسرق بواسطة انماط ذهنية ماكره والتي يتصورها في صورة لصوص
مراجعة:
الكتاب جميل، طرح الكاتب قضية مهمه تشغل جميع البشريه (كيف أحصل على السعادة)، فيدعونا الى التساؤلات
🔴هل السعادة حالتنا الطبيعية؟
🔴من اين تأتي السعادة؟
وغيرها من الاسئلة.
كان طريقة سرد المعلومات وترتيب المعلومات جيد 👍🏻
القصص الواقعيه دعمت الطرح و أوضحت لنا قوة اللصوص الخمسة (السيطرة، الخيلاء، الجشع، الاستهلاك والتراخي).
قراءة بعض الامور بصوره مختلفة كـ قصة الشريرة في قصة سنوايت!
والجميل جدًا بأن الكاتب لم يكتفي بعرض المشكله لنا بل أعطانا خطة القبض على اللصوص 👮🏻
🔴 [لاحظ، أوقف، أستبدل] 🔴
وعرض بعض القصص عن كيفية التخلص منهم
🔴ملاحظة/ لا تعتقد أيها القارئ بأن مجرد الانتهاء من هذا الكتاب ستكون سعيدًا،
بل هي نقطة البداية وعليك هنا التطبيق
لتجد السعادة طريقها إليك.
أقتباس:
" ما هو الخوف من الموت مالم يكن خوفًا من فقدان خيلائنا، وخوفًا من عدم أهميتنا خارج سياق الكيان الكلي؟ "
"جزء منا يتطلع الى ما يمتلكه الآخرون، أو الو شي لا نتملكه، فيتولد لدينا شعور بالحسد، والحسد هو الشعور بعدم الرضا"
التقيم/
🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟👌🏼
الكاتب/ د.جون ازو
عدد الصفحات/ ١٥٤
نبذة:
يزعم إزو ان السعادة هي حالتنا الطبيعية.
ولكن السعادة تسرق بواسطة انماط ذهنية ماكره والتي يتصورها في صورة لصوص
مراجعة:
الكتاب جميل، طرح الكاتب قضية مهمه تشغل جميع البشريه (كيف أحصل على السعادة)، فيدعونا الى التساؤلات
🔴هل السعادة حالتنا الطبيعية؟
🔴من اين تأتي السعادة؟
وغيرها من الاسئلة.
كان طريقة سرد المعلومات وترتيب المعلومات جيد 👍🏻
القصص الواقعيه دعمت الطرح و أوضحت لنا قوة اللصوص الخمسة (السيطرة، الخيلاء، الجشع، الاستهلاك والتراخي).
قراءة بعض الامور بصوره مختلفة كـ قصة الشريرة في قصة سنوايت!
والجميل جدًا بأن الكاتب لم يكتفي بعرض المشكله لنا بل أعطانا خطة القبض على اللصوص 👮🏻
🔴 [لاحظ، أوقف، أستبدل] 🔴
وعرض بعض القصص عن كيفية التخلص منهم
🔴ملاحظة/ لا تعتقد أيها القارئ بأن مجرد الانتهاء من هذا الكتاب ستكون سعيدًا،
بل هي نقطة البداية وعليك هنا التطبيق
لتجد السعادة طريقها إليك.
أقتباس:
" ما هو الخوف من الموت مالم يكن خوفًا من فقدان خيلائنا، وخوفًا من عدم أهميتنا خارج سياق الكيان الكلي؟ "
"جزء منا يتطلع الى ما يمتلكه الآخرون، أو الو شي لا نتملكه، فيتولد لدينا شعور بالحسد، والحسد هو الشعور بعدم الرضا"
التقيم/
🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟👌🏼
September 9, 2020
I’ve read a lot of self help so nothing new or interesting perspective but it could be good for you if you’re new to self-help. Summary below:
Thieves:
1) Control - Intention without tension. Release needing an outcome, accept what is.
2) Conceit - ego, focused on self. We’re most happy when helping/serving others. Ego makes us feel separated but see self as connected to all/larger whole.
3) Coveting - jealously. Don’t want what others have, be grateful for what you have
4) Consumption - you don’t need stuff to be happy. If you say I’ll be happy when/if than this thief is around. Mantra - I choose to be happy now
5) Comfort - playing it safe. We’re hardwired for habits-autopilot but we’re excited/happy with change - paradox of life. All have patterns, bad things don’t happen when you change instead it can make you happier
Analogy - Inner mind is Your House - who do you allow in?
Thieves:
1) Control - Intention without tension. Release needing an outcome, accept what is.
2) Conceit - ego, focused on self. We’re most happy when helping/serving others. Ego makes us feel separated but see self as connected to all/larger whole.
3) Coveting - jealously. Don’t want what others have, be grateful for what you have
4) Consumption - you don’t need stuff to be happy. If you say I’ll be happy when/if than this thief is around. Mantra - I choose to be happy now
5) Comfort - playing it safe. We’re hardwired for habits-autopilot but we’re excited/happy with change - paradox of life. All have patterns, bad things don’t happen when you change instead it can make you happier
Analogy - Inner mind is Your House - who do you allow in?
April 18, 2023
I read this book after a friend said it was the best book he’s ever read. Knowing it wasn’t going to be biblically based, I still read it. There are some statements that I don’t believe, like “Happiness is our natural state.” Yet there are many great take-aways like, starting a gratitude journal, always trying to be in the present, being aware of the thieves that rob you of your happiness…but I find it hard to believe we can just choose to be happy. He does say we need to remove those thoughts that rob us of our happiness but I believe unless we replace them with God’s truth we will never find lasting joy. Much of the book is based on biblical truths even though God’s Word is not given credit for it! I think any book that is going to help you grow to become a better person mentally, physically or spiritually is worth reading!
January 7, 2017
I never imagined that I had thieves in my house. These aren’t just any common robbers. They are sneaky, they hide like covert spies, and they are tough to eradicate if you find them. Unwittingly, these thieves are in every house in the world and lurking in society. Moreover, they are in your head and you may not even realize it. Who are they? The band of 5 robbers - Control, Conceit, Coveting, Consumption, and Comfort. What is their favorite prize to steal? It’s your happiness and if you can learn to notice them, stop them, and replace them then you just may lock them away for good.
Do you ever struggle with being happy or know people who find it elusive? Our society is so fast paced, we compare ourselves to everyone to see how we rate, and we think that finding what we lack will make us happy once we “get’ it. We couldn’t be more wrong. The Five Thieves of Happiness by John Izzo PhD introduces us to the 5 thieves that rob us of our happiness. The book shows us how we can catch a thief and steal our happiness back. You see, happiness is really our natural state and it’s not correlated with what is happening in our lives at the moment. It’s more about our “deep sense of rightness about one’s life and sense of inner contentment about oneself in the world”.
Who are these thieves? They strive to interrupt our thought patterns and internal filters that twist how we see the world around us. They seek to cloud our true view of what is real. They disguise themselves so well that we don’t know the extent to which our thoughts are controlled or jaded. The only way to shut the thieves down is to notice them, stop them, and replace them with new thoughts. This isn’t an easy process and may take some time. Moreover, they are powerless against mantras that you can use to keep them at bay.
The Five Thieves of Happiness
Control – The control thief wants us to believe that we can control everything in our lives. He makes us crave control which inhibits our inner peace. We can only fight this thief by accepting that we can’t control everything around us and can only control our actions and responses. You need to focus on the present and accept what is happening here and now. Choose difference thought patterns and accept hard truths.
Conceit – The conceit thief is the most powerful robber of all. If you look around, I bet you will quickly see how successful he is. This robber is the biggest barrier to contentment and social well being. She loves to see you over emphasize your own self importance and the bigger your ego, the better. This robber causes you to obsess over yourself importance and social standing. What can you do? Remember that what is good for you should be good for everyone. Focus on what you can give the world and serve others first to bring happiness. You are not alone and a “part of a larger story” so act like it.
Coveting - I look around and see this thief everywhere lurking in most all of us. This fellow urges us to desire and have envy for what others have and we don’t. Many of us try to keep up with the Jones’s because the thief whispers that our sense of self comes not from the inside, but outside. We tend to compare ourselves too much to others and become ungrateful. Start journaling about what you are grateful for and remember that people who have “everything” may very well be struggling or unhappy. Call out this thief quickly, practice gratitude, and accept that life will never be fair or equal.
Consumption – Let’s face it, buying stuff and having more clearly is not the path to happiness. This guy wants us to believe that we “need” more outside of us in order to be happy. He shares that if we have “X then we will feel Y”. It just isn’t true and chasing stuff will may you miserable. Things aren’t what inner happiness is all about. Try to challenge consumption in your life and that of the community in which you live/work in. Stop telling yourself that buying a new car will make everything perfect. Meditate daily on what you have internally.
Comfort – I learned that comfort is my key thief that I need to kick out. This sneaky thief tells us he’s protecting us but really, he wants us to stay on the same course, avoid risk, and not doing anything out of our comfort zone. He loves it when you are on autopilot, routine, and habits. He’s subtle and we may not thinking of him as a thief but as a protector. Wrong. I am kicking him out. I’m trying new things every week and jumping more and more out of my comfort zone. I’m challenging my habits and dumping past behaviors. I’m standing up to this thief by letting my hair down and forging more into the unknown (OK, slowly but still).
It’s probably pretty obvious by now that The Five Thieves of Happiness really struck a core in me. Now that I know who the thieves are, I can call them out and work on kicking them to the side. Dr. Izzo’s book was mesmerizing to read and I found myself shaking my head in agreement with frequency. Two months ago I began meditating and practicing gratitude while repeating mantras to myself so this book strengthened my new habits. I enjoyed the stories and quotes that are peppered throughout the book and they cemented who the thieves are and how they try to manage us. Dr Izzo charts out how to banish each thief and offers a powerful mantra to add to the fight.
I implore you to read The Five Thrives of Happiness to kick start the New Year and really find internal happiness. Don’t rely on the outside world to feed you, feed yourself. In order to do so you really need to find out which thieves are most detrimental to your happiness. Discover your band of thieves at http://drjohnizzo.com/five-thieves-ha... then get busy doing some thief busting by reading the book.
Do you ever struggle with being happy or know people who find it elusive? Our society is so fast paced, we compare ourselves to everyone to see how we rate, and we think that finding what we lack will make us happy once we “get’ it. We couldn’t be more wrong. The Five Thieves of Happiness by John Izzo PhD introduces us to the 5 thieves that rob us of our happiness. The book shows us how we can catch a thief and steal our happiness back. You see, happiness is really our natural state and it’s not correlated with what is happening in our lives at the moment. It’s more about our “deep sense of rightness about one’s life and sense of inner contentment about oneself in the world”.
Who are these thieves? They strive to interrupt our thought patterns and internal filters that twist how we see the world around us. They seek to cloud our true view of what is real. They disguise themselves so well that we don’t know the extent to which our thoughts are controlled or jaded. The only way to shut the thieves down is to notice them, stop them, and replace them with new thoughts. This isn’t an easy process and may take some time. Moreover, they are powerless against mantras that you can use to keep them at bay.
The Five Thieves of Happiness
Control – The control thief wants us to believe that we can control everything in our lives. He makes us crave control which inhibits our inner peace. We can only fight this thief by accepting that we can’t control everything around us and can only control our actions and responses. You need to focus on the present and accept what is happening here and now. Choose difference thought patterns and accept hard truths.
Conceit – The conceit thief is the most powerful robber of all. If you look around, I bet you will quickly see how successful he is. This robber is the biggest barrier to contentment and social well being. She loves to see you over emphasize your own self importance and the bigger your ego, the better. This robber causes you to obsess over yourself importance and social standing. What can you do? Remember that what is good for you should be good for everyone. Focus on what you can give the world and serve others first to bring happiness. You are not alone and a “part of a larger story” so act like it.
Coveting - I look around and see this thief everywhere lurking in most all of us. This fellow urges us to desire and have envy for what others have and we don’t. Many of us try to keep up with the Jones’s because the thief whispers that our sense of self comes not from the inside, but outside. We tend to compare ourselves too much to others and become ungrateful. Start journaling about what you are grateful for and remember that people who have “everything” may very well be struggling or unhappy. Call out this thief quickly, practice gratitude, and accept that life will never be fair or equal.
Consumption – Let’s face it, buying stuff and having more clearly is not the path to happiness. This guy wants us to believe that we “need” more outside of us in order to be happy. He shares that if we have “X then we will feel Y”. It just isn’t true and chasing stuff will may you miserable. Things aren’t what inner happiness is all about. Try to challenge consumption in your life and that of the community in which you live/work in. Stop telling yourself that buying a new car will make everything perfect. Meditate daily on what you have internally.
Comfort – I learned that comfort is my key thief that I need to kick out. This sneaky thief tells us he’s protecting us but really, he wants us to stay on the same course, avoid risk, and not doing anything out of our comfort zone. He loves it when you are on autopilot, routine, and habits. He’s subtle and we may not thinking of him as a thief but as a protector. Wrong. I am kicking him out. I’m trying new things every week and jumping more and more out of my comfort zone. I’m challenging my habits and dumping past behaviors. I’m standing up to this thief by letting my hair down and forging more into the unknown (OK, slowly but still).
It’s probably pretty obvious by now that The Five Thieves of Happiness really struck a core in me. Now that I know who the thieves are, I can call them out and work on kicking them to the side. Dr. Izzo’s book was mesmerizing to read and I found myself shaking my head in agreement with frequency. Two months ago I began meditating and practicing gratitude while repeating mantras to myself so this book strengthened my new habits. I enjoyed the stories and quotes that are peppered throughout the book and they cemented who the thieves are and how they try to manage us. Dr Izzo charts out how to banish each thief and offers a powerful mantra to add to the fight.
I implore you to read The Five Thrives of Happiness to kick start the New Year and really find internal happiness. Don’t rely on the outside world to feed you, feed yourself. In order to do so you really need to find out which thieves are most detrimental to your happiness. Discover your band of thieves at http://drjohnizzo.com/five-thieves-ha... then get busy doing some thief busting by reading the book.
July 29, 2017
The book has a simple goal - to uncover the five thieves of happiness and how they are detrimental to achieving a state of contentment. I like the way the book is structured; each chapter outlines one of the 'thieves'. The author gives details, provides examples and analogies, and describes how this thief is harmful from an individual as well as societal perspective. He touches on many of the wider issues of our time; environmental concerns, conflicts rooted in religious and political differences, and the effects of technology. In a modern world where people are loaded with numerous responsibilities and busy lives, this is a book that helps us get in touch with and take care of our inner self.
October 5, 2025
Εξαιρετικό βιβλίο.
Σε βοηθάει να κατανοήσεις ότι ευτυχία είναι η φυσική κατάσταση του ανθρώπου, αλλά μερικές φορές επεμβαίνουν άλλοι παράγοντες οι οποίοι μας την στερούν.
Αυτοί οι παράγοντες, οι πέντε κλέφτες, όπως αναφέρει και το βιβλίο είναι ο έλεγχος, η έπαρση, ο φθόνος, η κατανάλωση και η ευκολία.
Όταν εντοπίζουμε αυτούς τους πέντε κλέφτες στο εσωτερικό του μυαλού και της ψυχής μας καλό είναι να τους απομακρύνουμε διαφορετικά αυτή θα απομακρύνουν την ευτυχία μας.
«Δεν χρειάζεται να αναζητάμε την ευτυχία, χρειάζεται απλώς να μην την εμποδίζουμε.»
Σε βοηθάει να κατανοήσεις ότι ευτυχία είναι η φυσική κατάσταση του ανθρώπου, αλλά μερικές φορές επεμβαίνουν άλλοι παράγοντες οι οποίοι μας την στερούν.
Αυτοί οι παράγοντες, οι πέντε κλέφτες, όπως αναφέρει και το βιβλίο είναι ο έλεγχος, η έπαρση, ο φθόνος, η κατανάλωση και η ευκολία.
Όταν εντοπίζουμε αυτούς τους πέντε κλέφτες στο εσωτερικό του μυαλού και της ψυχής μας καλό είναι να τους απομακρύνουμε διαφορετικά αυτή θα απομακρύνουν την ευτυχία μας.
«Δεν χρειάζεται να αναζητάμε την ευτυχία, χρειάζεται απλώς να μην την εμποδίζουμε.»
October 29, 2017
Good advice about becoming and staying happy. One of the things Mr. Izzy says is “Expressing gratitude by itself is not enough to tame the thief, however. To banish the thief, we must learn to live by our own compass rather than someone else’s.”
A great daily mantra Izzo suggest is: Life is not a contest. Be grateful for what you have and who you are. Celebrate the success of others; for when I celebrate for others, I am happy.
A great daily mantra Izzo suggest is: Life is not a contest. Be grateful for what you have and who you are. Celebrate the success of others; for when I celebrate for others, I am happy.
March 6, 2018
Placed on my desk at work (probably by someone who knew my New Year’a resolution was to be more positive), the well researched and experienced author looks in the 5 ways we allow others to take our happiness. By suggesting that we control what we can, and replace negativity, he encourages readers to understand what’s theirs to influence. I thought this would have been another book that could have been a pamphlet, but at 100 pages it was a worthwhile read.
March 20, 2023
An easy read that does not belabor any one point but provides in a five point list things to let go in order to achieve, if not happiness, contentment: control, conceit, coveting, consumption and comfort. The author provides personal as well as societal examples in order to make his points. He also suggests a 30 day plan at the end of the book to assist the reader in becoming aware of these 5 areas for growth. Every reader would benefit from these reminders about what is important in life.
February 11, 2018
An intersting perspective to see the aspects steeling us happiness as thieves. It fits good together with the responsibility process, which I use as frame for my personal development.
The book gave surprisingly concrete perspectives on how you can work on it.
I will try to integrate key aspects of it into my daily routine.
The book gave surprisingly concrete perspectives on how you can work on it.
I will try to integrate key aspects of it into my daily routine.
August 23, 2018
السعادة هي الحالة الطبيعية للإنسان، إلا أن هناك خمس لصوص تسلب منا السعادة ، يستعرضها المؤلف مع قصة معبرة في بداية كل فصل، الفصل الأول الأكثر عمقاً وجمالاً بالنسبة لي، يتحدث فيه عن رغبتنا في السيطرة وماتؤدي إليه من رفض للواقع ، لذلك يدعونا المؤلف لتقبل ما لا نستطيع التحكم فيه والاستسلام للحكمة الإلهية، حيث أن المعاناة و��لألم جزء من الحياة تماماً كالسعادة والسرور.
October 13, 2019
When I read that all thieves start with the letter C, I rolled my eyes so hard that they hurt. It felt like they were chosen to be easily remembered and not as a result of a through study. There are hardly any exercises or useful tips. The ideas in this book are good but they feel as if taken from inspirational social media feeds.
January 25, 2020
The content of the books currently not in sync with what i want, as i have too much ambition that i would like to achieve in life, where the books told me to accept present as it’s which could defeat my ambition.
Maybe in next 20 years, i would read this book again and like it, after i got old and past my prime.
Maybe in next 20 years, i would read this book again and like it, after i got old and past my prime.
December 21, 2022
A lot of what I read in this book was not knew, but that just reinforces for me that these are universal truths. Izzo does a wonderful job of drawing from many worldviews to show what we all have in common. Ultimately, this book can serve as a guide on how to live a good life - for yourself and for the world.
January 9, 2024
Love it!
"The 5 Thieves of Happiness" offers profound insights into the barriers that hinder our pursuit of joy. The author skillfully dissects common pitfalls, providing practical strategies for reclaiming happiness. It’s a thought-provoking guide that encourages self-reflection and empowers readers to navigate life's challenges with resilience.
"The 5 Thieves of Happiness" offers profound insights into the barriers that hinder our pursuit of joy. The author skillfully dissects common pitfalls, providing practical strategies for reclaiming happiness. It’s a thought-provoking guide that encourages self-reflection and empowers readers to navigate life's challenges with resilience.
January 19, 2018
I was not surprised by which were among the five thieves, and a quick glance at the table of contents will give you a good idea of what the book is about. Each thief is explained in detail, followed by practical ways you can banish each one.
October 15, 2018
This book is about more than happiness. It is a guide to healthy living. It is also a short read but packed with useful information. It was well worth my time and money and I will keep it as a reference book. Good job Mr. Izzo.
October 18, 2018
Recomendadísimo!!! Es un libro corto y simple y con muy buen mensaje. Sin duda es un libro para tenerlo cerca y regresar a él cuando te sientas un poco triste o sientas que hay algo que te esta robando la felicidad.
July 30, 2019
Excellent Leadership and Personal Development book. Just like many books of its kind, it could be shorter.
Notice, stop and replace the five thieves of happiness to lead happier, fuller lives
Highly recommended speed reading it!
Notice, stop and replace the five thieves of happiness to lead happier, fuller lives
Highly recommended speed reading it!
July 10, 2020
A quick and easy read. Very practical information. Good advice. Although I did not agree with the use of affirmations. I have read that there is evidence that they are not always effective for people and I have to agree with this. That being said, it is worth reading I think.
March 23, 2023
A great book on what causes our unhappiness, and then provides the antidote to that behaviour. He draws from the Bible and Buddhism, but the fundamental truths are still present. A great reminder to live a life of contentment.
January 16, 2025
A beautiful non dualistic book that is simple to read. I liked how John elaborated on the 5 thieves' effect on society as a whole and what we can do to fix that which comes to fixing your own inner house first.
June 4, 2025
This book was, fine just not for me. Though, Izzo did reveal the key to the human struggle for happiness so simply that it will never leave me...the idea that the brain is wired for routine because it keeps us safe, but is excited by the unexpected is why we will always struggle to be truly happy.
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