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Get a Life That Doesn't Suck: 10 Surefire Ways to Live Life and Love the Ride
In Get a Life That Doesn't Suck, esteemed consultant and executive coach Michelle DeAngelis explains how you can reduce your stress, improve your outlook and get rid of anything that's holding you back.
Whether you are a student, a parent, an executive leading a big team or someone in between, Michelle provides the mechanics of joy that kick misery, worry and doubt to the curb and immediately improve your quality of life. Daily joy becomes real, accessible and repeatable.
She offers a fast-acting four-step process that works for problems of all sizes and ten actions to dramatically reduce the number of problems in your life.
A combination of street-smart wisdom and witty irreverence, this book provides science-based insights and practical tools so you
Get a Life that Doesn't Suck is an invitation to step into your best self and design an entirely new—and radically rewarding—way to live every day better.
Whether you are a student, a parent, an executive leading a big team or someone in between, Michelle provides the mechanics of joy that kick misery, worry and doubt to the curb and immediately improve your quality of life. Daily joy becomes real, accessible and repeatable.
She offers a fast-acting four-step process that works for problems of all sizes and ten actions to dramatically reduce the number of problems in your life.
A combination of street-smart wisdom and witty irreverence, this book provides science-based insights and practical tools so you
Get a Life that Doesn't Suck is an invitation to step into your best self and design an entirely new—and radically rewarding—way to live every day better.
- GenresNonfiction
288 pages, Hardcover
First published September 2, 2008
11 people are currently reading
65 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 13 of 13 reviews
July 30, 2009
This was fun - I liked the author's sassiness. The material isn't earth-shatteringly new, but it's presented in a fun and readable way. A nice pick-me-up for anyone just down-in-the-dumps. I'm one of those people who has to continually work on feeling positive, so I read things like this every now and then to keep me going.
February 17, 2014
One of the best books I've ever read in terms of non-fiction. She's a nonsense, cut the bullshit kind of person, which is refreshing. Just the kick in the pants I was looking for. Need some perspective or an action plan? She's your girl.
August 20, 2014
I really liked the humorous writing style of Michelle DeAngelis! In the introduction she relates that when people first asked her what the book she was writing was about, she'd say, "It's about raising the level of joy on the planet by showing people how to create joy in their lives every day, no matter what." And the response she got was polite disinterest. But when she told a guy it was about how to get a life that doesn't suck, he immediately responded that he knew 20 people who needed that book!
Her sense of humor continues throughout the entire book, which keeps you entertained while you're learning some really worthwhile tools for getting a life that doesn't suck.
For instance, the core of the book contains the 10 "ahas" which are life-changing principles to help you create a life you'll love. Aha #1 is that you always have a choice. She could have just explained what she meant by that, but she instead starts off with a story about a jester who insults a king and is sentenced to death. The king, feeling some compassion for the jester, says he can choose the way he wants to die. He responds, "I choose death by old age!" What a way to make her point! In this same fashion, she explains the other 9 ahas.
She makes it particularly easy to apply the principles by doing a few things at the end of each "aha" chapter. First, she includes a "Get Back on Track!" section, in which she presents a scenario which pertains to the principle being discussed. She then walks you through what she calls the BACK technique to handle that problem scenario:
***B = Breathe - don't react
***A = Acknowledge what you feel
***C = Choose to feel differently
***K = Kick into gear
Second, she includes "Shortcuts," which are bullet points with tips relative to the aha being discussed.
Third, she includes "Test Drives," which are action steps to help you incorporate the aha into your own life.
This is a very informative and entertaining book which provides a great blueprint for getting a life that doesn't suck!
Her sense of humor continues throughout the entire book, which keeps you entertained while you're learning some really worthwhile tools for getting a life that doesn't suck.
For instance, the core of the book contains the 10 "ahas" which are life-changing principles to help you create a life you'll love. Aha #1 is that you always have a choice. She could have just explained what she meant by that, but she instead starts off with a story about a jester who insults a king and is sentenced to death. The king, feeling some compassion for the jester, says he can choose the way he wants to die. He responds, "I choose death by old age!" What a way to make her point! In this same fashion, she explains the other 9 ahas.
She makes it particularly easy to apply the principles by doing a few things at the end of each "aha" chapter. First, she includes a "Get Back on Track!" section, in which she presents a scenario which pertains to the principle being discussed. She then walks you through what she calls the BACK technique to handle that problem scenario:
***B = Breathe - don't react
***A = Acknowledge what you feel
***C = Choose to feel differently
***K = Kick into gear
Second, she includes "Shortcuts," which are bullet points with tips relative to the aha being discussed.
Third, she includes "Test Drives," which are action steps to help you incorporate the aha into your own life.
This is a very informative and entertaining book which provides a great blueprint for getting a life that doesn't suck!
November 15, 2009
A refreshing take on a self help book that, while it doesn't necessarily teach anything new and noteworthy, it teaches all the things we should know in a way that's refreshingly digestible and immediately applicable.
The summary from the book cover, which explains it pretty well (although the claims *may* be a little over generous for what it delivers...):
Life can really suck. But it doesn't have to. This book offers a better way to live every day.
Engaging and encouraging, Get a Life That Doesn't Suck: 10 Surefire Ways to Live Life and Love the Ride explains how ill-equipped most people are to deal with the challenges in life and then introduces foundational tools and effective techniques to take you from crappy to happy. By providing the specific "mechanics" to joy, Michelle shows that joy is a repeatable by-product of living your life in integrity and of making conscious choices every day that kick misery, worry and guilt to the curb.
For anyone who is bored, disenchanted, or in despair, this book serves up a combination of street-smart wisdom and cheerful irreverence and shows you how to enjoy the "ride of your life," regardless of the roadblocks along the way.
With this book you can:
•Close the gap between your dreams and your real life
•Learn very specific techniques to make the best of every situation
•Get the importance of saying what you mean and doing what you say
•Learn how to thoughtfully respond instead of react to tricky situations
•Master the 10 Life-Changing Ahas - daily actions that improve your life
•Get the tools you need to manage yourself and make life easier
•Um, get a life that doesn't suck!
Check out another synopsis of the content here:
http://www.michelleinc.com/the_10_lif...
The summary from the book cover, which explains it pretty well (although the claims *may* be a little over generous for what it delivers...):
Life can really suck. But it doesn't have to. This book offers a better way to live every day.
Engaging and encouraging, Get a Life That Doesn't Suck: 10 Surefire Ways to Live Life and Love the Ride explains how ill-equipped most people are to deal with the challenges in life and then introduces foundational tools and effective techniques to take you from crappy to happy. By providing the specific "mechanics" to joy, Michelle shows that joy is a repeatable by-product of living your life in integrity and of making conscious choices every day that kick misery, worry and guilt to the curb.
For anyone who is bored, disenchanted, or in despair, this book serves up a combination of street-smart wisdom and cheerful irreverence and shows you how to enjoy the "ride of your life," regardless of the roadblocks along the way.
With this book you can:
•Close the gap between your dreams and your real life
•Learn very specific techniques to make the best of every situation
•Get the importance of saying what you mean and doing what you say
•Learn how to thoughtfully respond instead of react to tricky situations
•Master the 10 Life-Changing Ahas - daily actions that improve your life
•Get the tools you need to manage yourself and make life easier
•Um, get a life that doesn't suck!
Check out another synopsis of the content here:
http://www.michelleinc.com/the_10_lif...
July 29, 2015
I picked this up in the library because who can pass up such an engaging title? It was a quick and easy read. The author's focus is to increase you joy by changing your attitude and doing things that reduce stress and feed your joy. I didn't particularly like the writing style as it sometimes felt like I was listening to a college kid, but it didn't distract from the basic message. DeAngelis has a BACK plan to refocus negative thoughts and 10 Ahas to help you increase your joy. Overall I thought there were a lot of good suggestions for ways you can consciously improve your outlook on life and move away from situations and things that sap your happiness. I have read better books on these themes, but this is an easier read than some of the others.
I'd give it 3.5 stars if I could.
I'd give it 3.5 stars if I could.
April 8, 2016
I bought this book about a year ago when my life really did suck. Unemployed, couldn't find a roommate, broke, chubby, etc. But, I never read the book. Got through chapter one then got distracted by something else. A self help book can't help you if you don't read it.
It was a pretty good book. A little slow at first, but if you keep at it, it's quite helpful. I really liked how the author put in real life situation stories in there so that it was easier to better understand what she was trying to say. It really made me rethink my choices and the actions I make.
If you are unhappy with your life, check this book out. Take those sucky lemons and make some yummy lemonade.
It was a pretty good book. A little slow at first, but if you keep at it, it's quite helpful. I really liked how the author put in real life situation stories in there so that it was easier to better understand what she was trying to say. It really made me rethink my choices and the actions I make.
If you are unhappy with your life, check this book out. Take those sucky lemons and make some yummy lemonade.
October 28, 2008
This is very much just another self-help book, but Michelle DeAngelis's methods clicked with me more than any other "here's how to be happy" book I've read. (Not many, but I've skimmed tons. Keep thinking the answer is somewhere out there..)
I can't say "highly recommended" because what works for one person may not work for others, but I feel happier already. This is not sarcasm. I even have found myself repeating some dorky positive affirmations, out loud, because this book told me to.
Isn't that sick?
I can't say "highly recommended" because what works for one person may not work for others, but I feel happier already. This is not sarcasm. I even have found myself repeating some dorky positive affirmations, out loud, because this book told me to.
Isn't that sick?
Want to read
June 10, 2010Enjoyed her frank introduction - that this book is really about how to get joy into your life but that people associate joy with pixie dust and unicorns (unbelievable). "And yes, pixies and fairy dust aside, it is about finding and creting joy in your life, every day, using very specific tools and techniques." I don't however, enjoy her taking the Lord's name in vain (and not even capitalizing it, when she does capitalize "Gap" - speaking of the measurable difference between your thoughts and your actions).
www.getalifethatdoesntsuck.com promo code: joyride to get you JQ
www.getalifethatdoesntsuck.com promo code: joyride to get you JQ
Want to read
September 10, 2008the title is funny, but this was another one that i browsed through during a bookstore trip. it really did seem to have some practical advice for dealing with upsets and setbacks.
i don't normally read self-help books like this, but the author's tone was encouraging without being too peppy and ridiculous. (just judging from a quick skim through, it may have gotten worse later in the book.
i'd definitely pick it up again if i saw it in the library.
i don't normally read self-help books like this, but the author's tone was encouraging without being too peppy and ridiculous. (just judging from a quick skim through, it may have gotten worse later in the book.
i'd definitely pick it up again if i saw it in the library.
February 13, 2009
A self-help book, ultimately, that didn't make my toes curl with sappy advice, platitudes or goopy bits.
It didn't contain anything startling or new to me, but I appreciated the style and the reminder of a few things I needed to take care of (and how to do that, exactly).
All told, a nice way to get yourself out of a rut.
It didn't contain anything startling or new to me, but I appreciated the style and the reminder of a few things I needed to take care of (and how to do that, exactly).
All told, a nice way to get yourself out of a rut.
April 25, 2013
Not bad for a self held book - not terribly cheesy or anything - had some good solid advice - but she should smack whoever told her to break every page with inspirational quotes - it made it hard to get through some passages when they were bisected by these giant quite boxes - good and helpful but not outstanding.
January 14, 2010
If you ever need a good swift kick in the you know what to do something about whatever situation you find that your life is in, this is a good & practical read that works.
October 4, 2015
The idea that I can decide how I feel rather than just being a product of circumstance is worth consideration
Displaying 1 - 13 of 13 reviews