Book Review, The Big Book of Small Stuff

8/2/2019 Book Review, The Big Book of Small Stuff

1/12

In the name of the Most High, Who is sufficient for me!

INSTITUTE OF COMMUNICATION STUDIES

UNIVERSITY OF THE PUNJAB, NEW CAMPUS

BOOK REVIEW

COURSE: ENGLISH LANGUAGE

SUBMITTED TO: MAM SAJIDA NISAR

SUBMITTED BY: Fakiha Hassan Rizvi

B.Sc (Hons) Communication Studies3rd semesterRoll number 26


2/12

THE BIG BOOK OF SMALL STUFF- BOOK

REVIEW2

Treasure yourself and the gift of life - Richard Carlson

Richard Carlson, Ph.D. (5-16-61 to 12-13-06) was considered to be one of the

foremost experts on happiness and stress reduction in the United States and

around the world. As the author of thirty popular books including the runaway

bestseller,Dont Sweat the Small Stuffand its all Small Stuff, he showed

millions of people how not to let the small things in life get the best of them.


3/12


REVIEW3

The Big Book of Small S tuffBook Review

CONTENTS

Introduction of the book 4Summary 5Critical Analysis 8Impact of the Book 9Recommendation 11


4/12


REVIEW4

INTRODUCTION

TITLE: The Big Book of Small Stuff

AUTHOR: Richard Carlson

PLACE OF PUBLICATION:New York

PUBLISHER: Hyperion Books

DATE OF PUBLICATION:November 30, 2006

NUMBER OF PAGES: 263 pages

ISBN: 1401302998

GENRE: Motivational Self Help and Inspirational Self Help

This book review will provide a concise yet comprehensive overview of the book.

The Big Book of Small Stuff contains 100 of the best inspirations from Richard

Carlsons another book titled, Dont sweat the small stuff. The book revolves

around the point that one should stop worrying about or getting frustrated over

things which dont mean a lot rather they are just an extra addition to our stressful

life. Truly, some things in life never change! We have the same capacity for joy

that we always had and the same for laughter. Unfortunately, we have an equal


5/12


REVIEW5

capacity for hosting stress. However, the author tries to persuade the readers that

theres all that everyday stuff to contend with small stuff- that is around us 24

hours a day. We are lucky because there is something we can do about it: We can

learn to NOT sweat the small stuff.

SUMMARY

The big book of small stuff has been divided into six different parts. The book

starts off with an advice for the readers that they shouldnt worry about the trivial

things which upon closer examination dont even deserve much attention. Whether

we have to wait in a line, listen to unfair criticism or do the lions share of work, it

pays enormous dividends if we stop worrying about little things. The author is of

the view that thinking or stressing out due to the small stuff allows the beauty of

life to fade away. He suggests the readers to commit themselves to the goal of

NOT sweating the small stuff as that will make them kinder and gentler. The moststriking and unique suggestions put forth by the writer include: make peace with

imperfection, allow yourself to be bored, praise and blame are all the

same, live this day as if it were your last it might be and think of what

you have instead of what you want. Richard communicates with the readers in a

persuasive manner by using everyday examples, he shares what his friend once

said which he believed after 10 years; Life is too important to take it seriously.

The second section of the book deals with; dont sweat the small stuff at work.

The author laments that many people deprive themselves of the luxury to remain

light-hearted, enthusiastic, inspired, relaxed or simply happy while working.

Richard considers such people to be unfortunate as he thinks that our productivity


6/12


REVIEW6

levels enhance if we remain relaxed and comfortable during work. He teaches

through this part of the book that relaxation doesnt mean that a person is a work

shirker as he mentions that: its nonsense to believe that a relaxed, happy person

necessarily lacks motivation. On the contrary, happy people are almost always the

ones who love what they do. In order to do your best professionally and

personally the author presents some golden words by convincing the readers to

become less controlling, dont sweat the demanding boss, give up your

fear of speaking to groups, put your mind in neutral and dont live for

retirement.

Entering into the personal dimension, the third part of the books deals with how to

go along with your family. The author compels the readers to think that everything

requires an optimum condition for its growth same is the case with relationships.

We have to create certain conditions, shun certain attitudes instill in ourselves

certain qualities in order to sustain relationships. To lead a happy family life

Richard asks the readers to: listen to your spouse, give yourself an extra ten

minutes, allow white space in your calendar, have family meetings, when

someone asks how you are- dont emphasize on how busy you are , remind

yourself frequently what your children want and remember its the little

things that will be remembered the most.

The fourth part of the book is in fact penned down by the wife of the author

(Kristine Carlson) in which she tries to explain that what it means to be a woman.

Kristine presents a role model for the female readers which she calls Wonder

Woman, who according to her can do almost everything. However, the image


7/12


REVIEW7

should be reevaluated whether you are a stay-at-home, full time mom or corporate

executive; single or married the aim should be to meet deadlines without

compromising your family life. Kristine suggests that social life is quite significant

for women on the condition that they remain 99 percent gossip-free but still that

remaining 1 percent is also important.

The fifth part of the book is related to a very integral part of our life, an emotion

that is very intricate and beautiful love. Richard shares the experience of his

tim with his wife (Kristine Carlson) and recommends some tips for a successful

relationship with your loved one. He asks the lovers not to fight over stupid

things, forget their ego, dont sweat the occasional criticism and say the

word-I am Sorry.

The sixth and the last section of the book serves as a guideline for men if they ever

fall in love. The author suggests that having an affair is also a valid part of life.

However, the kind of affair that Richard talks about is a love affair with life. He

thinks that many men lack passion for life. People are preoccupied with their

ambitions, jobs, dreams and responsibilities that they have forgotten to live their

life. Having an affair with life is essential in order to reignite the passion and

fervor for living. The author convinces the readers with a very rational point i.e

Were here for a moment in time- and then were gone. Why waste one second on

self-pity, frustration, irritation and all the rest? Our lives are so much more

important than that. Success, perfection, achievement, money, recognition- you

can have them all, but they are NOT everything. Richard emphasizes on many


8/12


REVIEW8

things for a better life like; anticipate the best, let others be right about the

little things and stop broadcasting your thoughts.

CRITICAL ANALYSIS

Writing style: The author has written the book in a simple and easy to understand

language. The book is well-organized and none of its parts can be called

monotonous. The selection of words is also apt. One really enjoys even while

going through the contents as they grab the attention of the reader and propel

him/her to read the book.

Persuasiveness: As it is a motivational self- help book for personal development

its persuasiveness or the ability to convince the readers holds primary significance.

In my opinion, some of the examples are quite extreme like the suggestion to

remain 99 percent gossip free as I dont think that most of the women would

consider doing this. However, the best exploration while reading is that we dont

even know that we are sweating the small stuff during our daily routine until

Richard points them out. Somehow he gets through and rationally persuades the

readers that why is it important to let the small things go.


9/12


REVIEW9

IS it motivational or not? My answer would be plain and straight- YES it is!

The reason for that is that this book brought into limelight the weaknesses of

human nature. Once, youll be able to admit that they reside in you as well then

the subsequent chapters will prove as a perfect prescription for all the ailments

(weaknesses). The remedies are so convincing that one wants to adopt them once

and for all.

IMPACT OF THE BOOK

Even while discussing all that is negative this book has a positive impact because

it provides a way to the readers for them to get rid of the darker side of life. This

book is related to humanistic psychology (also referred to as positive

psychology) which revolves around the innate ability of man to do what he wants

to do and the idea that he can do it.

Richard thinks that for a better and successful life certain changes at an individual

level are necessary. He aids the readers to initiate those changes within themselves

and all the transformations are related to one and the same thing dont sweat the

small stuff. As he himself mentions in the introduction that- Whether its being

stuck in a huge traffic jam, waiting patiently for a return phone all, watchingsomeone talk with their mouth full, talking to someone who isnt listening, trying

to find that lost set of keys, communicating with an officious bureaucrat, enduring

unwarranted criticism or the endless list of other possibilities, we can learn to

transcend and not be stressed by it. All it takes is a little practice, and as


10/12


REVIEW10

importantly, knowing what to practice. We can learn quite easily that life isnt an

emergency we assume sometimes it to be.

Some of the lines (from the book) which had a deep-impact on my personality and

touched my heart are as follows:

*Regardless of who you are or what you do, however, remember that

nothing is more important than your own sense of happiness and inner

peace and that of your loved ones.

* I find that if I remind myself (frequently) that the purpose of life

isnt to get it all done but to enjoy each step along the way and to live a

life filled with love. Dont waste any more precious moments of your

life regretting the inevitable.

*You always feel good when you give to others. Rather than diluting

the positive feelings by telling others about your kindness, by keeping

it to yourself you get to retain all the positive feelings. Your rewards

are the warm feelings that come from the act of giving.


11/12


REVIEW11

*Criticism, like swearing, is actually nothing more than a bad habit. Its

something we get used to doing; were familiar with how it feels. It

keeps us busy and something to talk about-nothing else.

*Happiness cant be found when we are yearning for new desires.

*Were here for a moment in time- and then were gone. Why waste

one second on self-pity, frustration, irritation and all the rest? Our

lives are so much more important than that.

RECOMMENDATION

Designating this book as a perfect guide for dealing with stress I strongly

recommend it to everyone, especially those who always consider life as a burden

or a duty. This book will reveal that how important and magically beautiful life is.

The best aspect of the book teaches all those pessimists to have an affair with your

life (revitalize your passion for living). Our efforts when devoid of stress and

worries pay great dividends as we start enjoying what we do.

This is an outstanding book for self-help, inspiring and motivating the readers to

take life easily but not to take it for-granted. Above all, it convinced me that


12/12


REVIEW12

expenditure of energy while worrying about the small stuff snatches away our

right to cherish living our lives.

Book Review, The Big Book of Small Stuff

Documents

Transcript of Book Review, The Big Book of Small Stuff