How to be Your Own Best Friend

by Paul Hauck

People can feel guilty about self-interest, but this book shows that self-neglect can hold you back in many ways and prevent you from getting the most out of life. The book offers practical advice about how to assess your goals and abilities positively, and handle opposition and frustration calmly.

Genres: Self Help, Psychology, Nonfiction

128 pages, Paperback

First published July 1, 1988

About the author

Dr. Paul A. Hauck was a renowned American psychologist and author, known for his long career in clinical practice and public education on mental health. After serving in World War II, he earned his Ph.D. in Clinical Psychology and held key positions in several mental health centers before establishing the first private psychological practice in the Quad Cities. He wrote 16 popular psychology books, translated into 23 languages, and his long-running column The Human Scene educated readers for decades. Hauck was also an avid lifelong learner, enjoying music, languages, and sports. He was honored with the Illinois Most Distinguished Psychologist Award and retired in 2007.

Reviews

[Akash Kittur · Rating 5 out of 5]

Most underrated book. It will help you help yourself. Will scare away your apprehensions about your shortcomings. Please apply action items the author talks about. Dr. Hauck definitely knows his craft. His writing is silky smooth and in tender pieces easy to swallow as well digest.
The author is psychologist himself, So he has enough case studies he has drawn conclusions from.
I would personally thank author for lending his precious time to write this book.

[Sumit Dhamija · Rating 3 out of 5]

Finished reading "How to Be Your Own Best Friend" by Dr. Paul Hauck (practicing clinical psychologist in Illinois, USA. He's a fellow of the American Psychological Association).

Find the book's title intriguing; isn't it? The curiosity got the best of me too when I spotted this book at a book sellers shop whilst waiting for my train at the railway station. I ended up buying it and read a good portion of it during my journey itself.

Don't mistake the title to mean that the book will convert you into a narcissist. In fact it's intent is exactly the opposite. It teaches you why it is pivotal to stop neglecting yourself. It tells you that you're not much good to others if you are not good to yourself. Many people feel inadequate or guilty to put themselves first. But if you show love, caring and attention to persons close to you, why not to yourself? An important step in taking a healthy interest in yourself, in overcoming self-neglect, is to learn to become smart about life. Being smart is not about being gullible or naive; it's about being practical.

Being your own best friend is the most sensible thing you can do! Life isn't necessarily fair, therefore it becomes all the more important to learn how to be firm and assertive when life so demands. Put yourself first.

[Lakpa Tashi Bhutia · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is good sensible book about people's self neglect. How often we tends to care our loved ones or chase money but down the line, some how we forget to live life. We are not aware of the power of our own body. So this book will give a kind of wake up call to all of us.

Language is simple and lucent to read. Author kept lesson simple and effective to all. Good book to get hands on if you want some change on yourself.

[Thom J. · Rating 1 out of 5]

Clearly written by someone with a very simple mind. The entire book of antidotes could be summarized as, "be your own best friend by choosing to be kind to yourself with positive thinking". At one point the author actually says individuals can change their born sexuality (which they call preferences) with therapy, page 20.

To the recycle bin....

[Kostis · Rating 4 out of 5]

At first, I found this boring, but it actually has some good points and examples.
Mostly, it is about speaking your mind, having an opinion and not putting others before yourself. Which actually is what all psychology books are about.

[Joy · Rating 5 out of 5]

Le meilleur livre de développement personnel que j’aie lu jusqu’à maintenant. C’est très simple, mais pertinent, et c’est l’un des rares livres de cette catégorie qui ne passe pas 250 pages à vous vendre deux idées qu’on aurait pu résumer en 5 phrases. Rappelez-moi de le relire souvent.

[David · Rating 1 out of 5]

Probably better in print rather than audible so you can refer to parts. Some good info but condesending at times.

[Emma · Rating 3 out of 5]

Some parts of the book did resonate with me and others didn't. However, I found myself more determined and motivated by the end of the book and am able to take a few things away with me.

[ArisXr07 · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5

[Lucia Asturias · Rating 5 out of 5]

Good REBT advice on how to replace your irrational thinking about yourself, how not to empower others to make you feel bad or hate yourslef, how to learn to love yourself healthily, and be assertive without feeling angry, blaming yourself or feeling guilty. I read it around 1999/2000 and still recommend all the books by Paul Hauck - easy, practical and straight forward, yet abstract books. 10 stars! :)

[Sachin Srinivasan · Rating 1 out of 5]

Though the advice is kept short and sweet in this book, it veers very closely towards being almost condescending towards the reader. Although it states facts as they are, it is a little dismissive to alternate methods. An average book in comparison to other books in the genre.

[Elham · Rating 3 out of 5]

In fact, this book How to be your best own friend has planted inside my personality a flower that has many colors and beautiful smell in which help me to recognize that I am the only friend of myself...

[Vijayeta Yadav]

A motivational Book

[Santosh · Rating 4 out of 5]

Short, sweet and a very true self help book.

[Irem · Rating 5 out of 5]

You may not get the whole picture at first, it's one of those books which should be read more than once.

[Nadi Ghaffari · Rating 4 out of 5]

ترجمش جلدش این نبود من عاشق کاورش شدم!

[Rhyman Yaseen]

Good!