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Ten Steps to Positive Living: New Edition
Written in a typically practical and straightforward style, this popular book shows how to develop a truly positive outlook. These ten steps outline skills to help people to take control, be flexible, accept reality, develop self-acceptance, accept change and improve relationships. Steps may be followed in order, or taken individually as required. The book has been updated in line with current therapeutic thinking, with particular emphasis on the concepts of resilience and mindfulness.
120 pages, Paperback
First published September 18, 2014
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Displaying 1 - 4 of 4 reviews
January 21, 2026
Суперишка преглед филозофије рационално емотивно бихејвиоралне терапије. Винди на доступан начин објашњава концепте РЕБТа у форми водича кроз позитиван живот како он каше. Волео би да је било још примера преко којих би се повезала теорија са практичним примерима.
March 28, 2021
A straight-forward read based on the principles of rational emotive behaviour therapy (the first form of cognitive behavioural therapy). Nothing ground-breaking, but a book I expect I’ll dip into every now and again. This lost an extra star due to my irritation at the frequent promotion of his other books!
February 14, 2021
Page references in this review are from 1994 Sheldon press edition with cover by John Erasmus.
Firstly the book is called 10 steps to positive living yet the cover shows only 8 steps unless you count the ground and landing.
I really liked the concept of this book but upon reading it wasn't quite what I expected. It started off well and there are alot of good concepts, I liked the takes about anxiety, constructive approaches to productivity and mindset, self-esteem and acceptance and hobbies.
However; the author addresses specific gender pronouns (she/her/he/him) and frames these around ideas which seemed to link negative notions to females. This annoyed me throughout the book, may be a nod to mysoginistic past notions as author was born in the 50s.
Page 33 - "Such a person is likely to have a very poor opinion of herself, may tend to be exceptionally needy and will do anything to please you."
Page 74 - "... Since the other person is basically a human being with problems, weaknesses and failings, these may well lead her to act in a way which may be at times hurtful to you. "
Pages 76 and 77 also make references specifically to men (he/him),
Page 77 - "show him respect by listening to him without interruption".
All references throughout should be neutral so they can be relatable to the reader and this is done well for the majority of the book but should be consistent.
Author gets on the defence really quickly to explain away the age old generalisation 'all men are only after one thing'.
On hobbies and interests - God forbid you are a trainspotter as you may be offended but sure doesn't the author explain this away and you should be proud of it and your hobbies ... 🙄
Except for the cautionary tale of the jealous man who neglects his baby and wife for his trainspotting perhaps Dryden had the hots for her and was a bit jealous himself. Maybe a few rocky relationships himself to explain the way women are sometimes mentioned in this as causing men hurt etc?
Step 7 had some really good content about scientific, critical and creative thinking which I appreciated although the way author speaks about some of his own studies seem like he himself is not following his own advice on not becoming "overly invested in proving to yourself that your hypothesis are true."
Also contradictory statements on being true to yourself and doing what you enjoy, light nod to hedonism, using your deathbed 'what-ifs' to only do what you enjoy but then saying to persist with hobbies you might not enjoy and give them 3 chances before throwing the towel in.
All in all, don't get me wrong I did enjoy parts of this book, the voice was annoying in places a bit smarmy, egotistical. I have no doubt that the author is well educated in the subject matter but I think that the multiple nods to other books especially his own books show more of a desire to push many books out the door for money or reputation. I am also surprised no one else has picked up on some of the things here or got mildly irked about them, or that nothing like this was pulled out in editing phase before publication such as the reference to consistent addressing of the reader or subject in the same way.
I would still invite people to read this book and form their own opinions and to take the steps as a guide or see if there are any philosophies they can relate to/live by in their own lives. I might consider reading other books in the series and not write them all off based on this as I did enjoy bits and pieces which seemed helpful.
I hate to leave such a cynical review but the book didn't resonate as I thought and it's a bit counterproductive coming away from a book on positive living feeling a little more disturbed based upon the content...
Firstly the book is called 10 steps to positive living yet the cover shows only 8 steps unless you count the ground and landing.
I really liked the concept of this book but upon reading it wasn't quite what I expected. It started off well and there are alot of good concepts, I liked the takes about anxiety, constructive approaches to productivity and mindset, self-esteem and acceptance and hobbies.
However; the author addresses specific gender pronouns (she/her/he/him) and frames these around ideas which seemed to link negative notions to females. This annoyed me throughout the book, may be a nod to mysoginistic past notions as author was born in the 50s.
Page 33 - "Such a person is likely to have a very poor opinion of herself, may tend to be exceptionally needy and will do anything to please you."
Page 74 - "... Since the other person is basically a human being with problems, weaknesses and failings, these may well lead her to act in a way which may be at times hurtful to you. "
Pages 76 and 77 also make references specifically to men (he/him),
Page 77 - "show him respect by listening to him without interruption".
All references throughout should be neutral so they can be relatable to the reader and this is done well for the majority of the book but should be consistent.
Author gets on the defence really quickly to explain away the age old generalisation 'all men are only after one thing'.
On hobbies and interests - God forbid you are a trainspotter as you may be offended but sure doesn't the author explain this away and you should be proud of it and your hobbies ... 🙄
Except for the cautionary tale of the jealous man who neglects his baby and wife for his trainspotting perhaps Dryden had the hots for her and was a bit jealous himself. Maybe a few rocky relationships himself to explain the way women are sometimes mentioned in this as causing men hurt etc?
Step 7 had some really good content about scientific, critical and creative thinking which I appreciated although the way author speaks about some of his own studies seem like he himself is not following his own advice on not becoming "overly invested in proving to yourself that your hypothesis are true."
Also contradictory statements on being true to yourself and doing what you enjoy, light nod to hedonism, using your deathbed 'what-ifs' to only do what you enjoy but then saying to persist with hobbies you might not enjoy and give them 3 chances before throwing the towel in.
All in all, don't get me wrong I did enjoy parts of this book, the voice was annoying in places a bit smarmy, egotistical. I have no doubt that the author is well educated in the subject matter but I think that the multiple nods to other books especially his own books show more of a desire to push many books out the door for money or reputation. I am also surprised no one else has picked up on some of the things here or got mildly irked about them, or that nothing like this was pulled out in editing phase before publication such as the reference to consistent addressing of the reader or subject in the same way.
I would still invite people to read this book and form their own opinions and to take the steps as a guide or see if there are any philosophies they can relate to/live by in their own lives. I might consider reading other books in the series and not write them all off based on this as I did enjoy bits and pieces which seemed helpful.
I hate to leave such a cynical review but the book didn't resonate as I thought and it's a bit counterproductive coming away from a book on positive living feeling a little more disturbed based upon the content...
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
October 4, 2017
Concise statements with clear explanations. A handy book to refer to.
Displaying 1 - 4 of 4 reviews