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Life 101 : Everything We Wish We Had Learned About Life in School, But Didn't
Packed with suggestions for living a more fulfilled and effective life, this book covers all those important subjects we never learnt in school including the meaning of life, how to value ourselves, dealing with guilt, pain, resentment and fear, the power of thought, the value of mistakes, and the power of forgiveness. By the authors of "You Can't Afford the Luxury of a Negative Thought" and "Do It".
535 pages, Hardcover
First published April 1, 1990
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 55 reviews
July 19, 2008
I found this book literally in the garbage. My grandma cleaned out a bunch of old books from my aunt's house and was going to throw them away so she brought them by to see if there was anything I'd like. The only one that stuck out was this book. It was very obviously a self-help book and I was depressed at the time (sophomore year of high school so who isn't depressed and religion didn't help, which is when my atheism also came about). I figured I'd give it a shot and a lot of it make sense.
Early on the author says that the book is like a buffet... it's all out there and you will like some of it and not all of it and he doesn't ask you to believe in or practice everything, just what works for you. There were a lot of great passages about dealing with mourning, depression, etc. I remember the part that talks about whether you'd rather be happy or right. It also talks about understanding and differentiating between things that are important and urgent, not important but urgent, urgent but not important, and neither important nor urgent and how this can simplify matters and help you make decisions.
I really made me much more introspective and inquisitive. It was a very easy read too.
Early on the author says that the book is like a buffet... it's all out there and you will like some of it and not all of it and he doesn't ask you to believe in or practice everything, just what works for you. There were a lot of great passages about dealing with mourning, depression, etc. I remember the part that talks about whether you'd rather be happy or right. It also talks about understanding and differentiating between things that are important and urgent, not important but urgent, urgent but not important, and neither important nor urgent and how this can simplify matters and help you make decisions.
I really made me much more introspective and inquisitive. It was a very easy read too.
February 16, 2016
Out of all the books about life my professor could have picked - she chose this.
There are many issues with this book, some are:
It's more quotes than original thought - The book is packed full of full page quotations by famous people. The even in the written parts of the book, the author again quotes more famous people. Quote after quote.
Cliché - there's a big mix of cliché nonsense and common sense.
Incorrect info - This was my biggest issue. There are things the author states as fact, that are not fact. Like the nature vs nurture debate. Scientists have been studying this for ages and have no proof that nature/genetics determine our personality. Yet the author states that "you can't help it, it's all genetics." He also says at one point that if you are born from a troublesome family, you will also be troublesome. What bull! There have been in depth studies on "personality genes" and the like, and none have been found. You can't say something is true when it obviously isn't.
This book was a waste of time.
There are many issues with this book, some are:
It's more quotes than original thought - The book is packed full of full page quotations by famous people. The even in the written parts of the book, the author again quotes more famous people. Quote after quote.
Cliché - there's a big mix of cliché nonsense and common sense.
Incorrect info - This was my biggest issue. There are things the author states as fact, that are not fact. Like the nature vs nurture debate. Scientists have been studying this for ages and have no proof that nature/genetics determine our personality. Yet the author states that "you can't help it, it's all genetics." He also says at one point that if you are born from a troublesome family, you will also be troublesome. What bull! There have been in depth studies on "personality genes" and the like, and none have been found. You can't say something is true when it obviously isn't.
This book was a waste of time.
March 22, 2011
I was surprised that there actually WAS a book with this title out there. And it's chock full of humorous, serious and altogether too true tips to live a better life and avoid the most common mistakes. Everyone should be handed a copy of it at age 18. Of course, most wouldn't begin to understand (or believe) a lot of the contents until at least 25 or 30. lol
July 26, 2013
I vacillated between rating this book three stars at around the beginning, five stars towards the middle, and then finally settled on four stars at the end.
At its core, Life 101 is a great primer for people who haven't done much reading in the self-improvement section. It gives you a taste of every topic, with loads of quotes sprinkled in throughout the very short chapters. For me, since I have done my fair share of reading in the self-help section, it was nice to have short little reminders about all of the things I know that I know about life, money, depression, acceptance, perseverance, and letting go... but had forgotten in the day-to-day that is Life.
For newer or younger readers, it gives a great jumping-off point for further inquiries into any of these multitude of various topics. It was disappointing but understandable that the topics were so lightly touched on, but when you're writing a book on life, you gotta draw the line somewhere or you'll be writing forever.
The author does his best to stay neutral when it comes to spirituality, but a little bit of his Christianity seeps through as he discusses some of the more difficult chapters, which is understandable. It's not too distracting and is on topic. Also, the author tries his best to be funny and entertaining, and the book does a good job at staying light-hearted, but the jokes he makes remind me of the kind of things that some imagined uncle you never talk to would say and thinks are just hilarious. His sense of humor feels dated and a bit too mass-appeal slash skewed for older (read: silver-haired) audiences. It feels closer to something you'd find in an old reader's digest.
But if you can get past the Christian undertones (which some may enjoy) and the at-times-geriatric sense of humor, you'll find some excellent wisdom in these pages. So much is covered here that I'm certain that if you go through the whole book, you will find some section or some chapter that really speaks to you. At the outset he does say that the book will be like a buffet, and it's true... while there were some things in it that I didn't care for (asking the white light to come into me and saying pseudo-prayers for the highest good of all, for instance) the overwhelmingly positive experience I had with the chapters that spoke to me made it all worthwhile.
At its core, Life 101 is a great primer for people who haven't done much reading in the self-improvement section. It gives you a taste of every topic, with loads of quotes sprinkled in throughout the very short chapters. For me, since I have done my fair share of reading in the self-help section, it was nice to have short little reminders about all of the things I know that I know about life, money, depression, acceptance, perseverance, and letting go... but had forgotten in the day-to-day that is Life.
For newer or younger readers, it gives a great jumping-off point for further inquiries into any of these multitude of various topics. It was disappointing but understandable that the topics were so lightly touched on, but when you're writing a book on life, you gotta draw the line somewhere or you'll be writing forever.
The author does his best to stay neutral when it comes to spirituality, but a little bit of his Christianity seeps through as he discusses some of the more difficult chapters, which is understandable. It's not too distracting and is on topic. Also, the author tries his best to be funny and entertaining, and the book does a good job at staying light-hearted, but the jokes he makes remind me of the kind of things that some imagined uncle you never talk to would say and thinks are just hilarious. His sense of humor feels dated and a bit too mass-appeal slash skewed for older (read: silver-haired) audiences. It feels closer to something you'd find in an old reader's digest.
But if you can get past the Christian undertones (which some may enjoy) and the at-times-geriatric sense of humor, you'll find some excellent wisdom in these pages. So much is covered here that I'm certain that if you go through the whole book, you will find some section or some chapter that really speaks to you. At the outset he does say that the book will be like a buffet, and it's true... while there were some things in it that I didn't care for (asking the white light to come into me and saying pseudo-prayers for the highest good of all, for instance) the overwhelmingly positive experience I had with the chapters that spoke to me made it all worthwhile.
July 28, 2019
Highlights:
1. If they are not definite steps on the way to your goals, they’re distractions.
2. Health is the amount of loving energy flowing through the being. The more loving, the greater the health.
3. Wealth is what you can do without. Wealth is contentment, joy, balance, equanimity, inner peace.Wealth is enjoying one’s own company. Wealth is being able to love oneself fully.
4. When we learn to give ourselves so fully that our cup overflows, then we may be called to be of service. Service is not a chore. Service is a privilege…when the server is ready, the service appears.
80/20 Theory
5. I spend 20% of my time with 80% of my friends. I spend 80% of my time with 20% of my friends.
6. Focus efforts on most effective.
7. Most of the people, most of the time choose comfort. In the end, people either have excuses or experiences; reasons or results; buts or brilliance, they either have what they wanted or they have a detailed list of all the rational reasons why not.
1. If they are not definite steps on the way to your goals, they’re distractions.
2. Health is the amount of loving energy flowing through the being. The more loving, the greater the health.
3. Wealth is what you can do without. Wealth is contentment, joy, balance, equanimity, inner peace.Wealth is enjoying one’s own company. Wealth is being able to love oneself fully.
4. When we learn to give ourselves so fully that our cup overflows, then we may be called to be of service. Service is not a chore. Service is a privilege…when the server is ready, the service appears.
80/20 Theory
5. I spend 20% of my time with 80% of my friends. I spend 80% of my time with 20% of my friends.
6. Focus efforts on most effective.
7. Most of the people, most of the time choose comfort. In the end, people either have excuses or experiences; reasons or results; buts or brilliance, they either have what they wanted or they have a detailed list of all the rational reasons why not.
October 23, 2007
One of my Top Three favorite books.
July 2, 2018
Some cool ideas.
July 9, 2020
It has been a very long time since I read this book but I have fond memories of the lighthearted approach this book takes toward self help.
August 18, 2009
Very interesting and insightful book. It shares some of the insights and tools about life that are very worthwhile. Have you ever pondered WHY LIFE? Insights such as, we are here to learn and do. OK, not earth-shattering, but read it for yourself. It is a great gift for a high school or college graduate.
Read
September 29, 2012I just skimmed this book. It has lots of good quotes from famous people/philosophers and so on. It could be a good book for someone who's not already an expert on life, the universe, and everything, like me.
July 12, 2007
Picked this up from the used paperback store because it looked interesting. It was, but just barely. If I were to write such a book, maybe I could do a better job?
August 4, 2008
I have learned so much about myself from this book. It has helped me accept myself for who I am, and to stop trying to please everyone else.
July 11, 2012
changed my life
February 13, 2015
Malarkey
July 12, 2022
These kind of books always have a story or two that you will think of long after you have finished the book.
August 30, 2019
I really love this book. It's like a breakdown of different Pilar's in life that anybody may go through and gives you a different more humbling way of thinking about things. It helps you with thinking of things you should work on while keeping the balance of not worrying about things you don't feel like you have to work on and knowing that's okay. It has a lot of different motivational quotes in it and overall it's more like a guide that's easily refer able whenever you need some motivation or reassurance. Overall a pretty amazing book.
December 27, 2020
How-to-book about anything possible, in categories, fun to read and surprisingly SO helpful.
Although somewhat outdates this book has secret gems. Some of them will seriously transform your life, this is a great collection, and i haven't found such tips anywhere else, this is not s0-common-knowledge. 5 stars straight.
Although somewhat outdates this book has secret gems. Some of them will seriously transform your life, this is a great collection, and i haven't found such tips anywhere else, this is not s0-common-knowledge. 5 stars straight.
November 26, 2017
This is the type of book that you keep on your shelf and reread when you're having a bad day or feel stuck.
I loved the short chapters. The author(s) managed to cover so many different aspects of life!
I loved the short chapters. The author(s) managed to cover so many different aspects of life!
August 8, 2020
I have purchased many copies of this book and given it to friends. It’s an easy book to pick up and read just one chapter or the entire thing. Chock full of wisdom in a non preachy, self accountable style.
July 13, 2023
"It's not a book to (just) be read, but a book to be used." This was my third time reading it (not in a row or consecutive years even), but I always find new meaning, learn something or at least have a good laugh.
June 13, 2018
One of the best self help books I have read. Recommended.
Read
April 14, 2020Common sense book that is a stress-free enjoyable read. Filled with thought provoking quotes to lighthearted humor.
September 23, 2021
Really enjoyed this. Common sense. Wish I'd read it when I was much younger.
May 11, 2022
This was a surprisingly helpful self help book.
July 2, 2023
Extremely life changing for me in 2022, however, would not advise going into the cult shenanigans the author went into.
October 12, 2023
great book, super funny
March 31, 2025
This was the second time to read this book, but this time I read the whole book, not just portions of it. I truly enjoyed all the quotes contained in the book.
December 30, 2012
I want to assign this to my kids when they're in 5th or 6th grade. The book is that easy to read, and common-sensical........... which I say with ambivalence because I know PLENTY of people who DON'T live by its precepts. Really lays things out for people who otherwise would make excuses, blame everyone in the world before blaming the (wo)man in the mirror, and otherwise fail to accomplish what they deserve to attempt. A really great read, and desperately important for the underachiever, too.
January 17, 2023
I owned Life 101: and Do It! by Peter McWilliams and John Rogers many years ago. I read them, referred back to them, and/or read them again many times. I do not remember when I donated them to a public library.
I noticed my swivel chair seat is developing butt imprints. That made me think: Get off your butt and do something, reminding me of the Do It! book. So here I am at Goodreads to see if I added them. Yes, I did. But I did not add Read dates, shelf or review. No specific review, I did like both books witty, fun and motivational.
I noticed my swivel chair seat is developing butt imprints. That made me think: Get off your butt and do something, reminding me of the Do It! book. So here I am at Goodreads to see if I added them. Yes, I did. But I did not add Read dates, shelf or review. No specific review, I did like both books witty, fun and motivational.
September 4, 2014
This was an amazing book. In a funny and non-invasive way, this book challenged me in a lot of helpful ways. I plan to read it again.
Loved the concept of fear (and other perceived negative emotions or things) as teachers. Favorite quote: "We must persistently and convincingly tell ourselves that the fear is here - with its gift of energy and heightened awareness - so we can do our best and learn the most in the new situation" p 209.
Loved the concept of fear (and other perceived negative emotions or things) as teachers. Favorite quote: "We must persistently and convincingly tell ourselves that the fear is here - with its gift of energy and heightened awareness - so we can do our best and learn the most in the new situation" p 209.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 55 reviews