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Happy: Simple Steps to Get the Most Out of Life
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240 pages, Hardcover
First published January 1, 2010
23 people are currently reading
292 people want to read
About the author
Ian K. Smith
48 books370 followersIan K. Smith, M.D.,Ian K. Smith, M.D. is the #1 New York Times bestselling author of SUPER SHRED, SHRED, THE 4 DAY DIET, THE FAT SMASH DIET and EXTREME FAT SMASH DIET among 7 other books including, SHRED Diet Cookbook , EAT, Happy , and The Blackbird Papers. His newest book, THE SHRED POWER CLEANSE, is available 12/29/15.
He is a former co-host of Emmy-winning “The Doctors” TV show, and a medical contributor to “The Rachael Ray Show."
He is the former medical correspondent for NBC News network and for NewsChannel 4 where he filed reports for NBC’s “Nightly News” and the “Today” show as well as WNBC’s various news broadcasts. He has appeared extensively on various broadcasts including “The Oprah Show,” “Good Morning America” “CBS This Morning” “The View,” “The Talk,” “Dr. Oz,” ‘Dr. Phil,” “Anderson Cooper 360″ and “Showbiz Tonight.”
He has written for various publications including Time, Newsweek, Men’s Health, and the New York Daily News, and has been featured in several other publications including, Publisher’s Weekly, Red Book, USA Today, Wall Street Journal, People, Essence, Ebony, University of Chicago Medicine on the Midway, Cosmopolitan, Women’s World, and Black Enterprise.
Dr. Smith is the founder of two major national health initiatives—the 50 Million Pound Challenge and the Makeover Mile—that have helped millions of people lose weight and improve their health.
A graduate of Harvard, Columbia, and the University of Chicago Pritzker School of Medicine, Dr. Smith was appointed to the President’s Council on Fitness, Sports, and Nutrition in 2010 and is serving a second term.
http://shredlife.com/about-shred/abou...
http://us.macmillan.com/author/ianksmith
He is a former co-host of Emmy-winning “The Doctors” TV show, and a medical contributor to “The Rachael Ray Show."
He is the former medical correspondent for NBC News network and for NewsChannel 4 where he filed reports for NBC’s “Nightly News” and the “Today” show as well as WNBC’s various news broadcasts. He has appeared extensively on various broadcasts including “The Oprah Show,” “Good Morning America” “CBS This Morning” “The View,” “The Talk,” “Dr. Oz,” ‘Dr. Phil,” “Anderson Cooper 360″ and “Showbiz Tonight.”
He has written for various publications including Time, Newsweek, Men’s Health, and the New York Daily News, and has been featured in several other publications including, Publisher’s Weekly, Red Book, USA Today, Wall Street Journal, People, Essence, Ebony, University of Chicago Medicine on the Midway, Cosmopolitan, Women’s World, and Black Enterprise.
Dr. Smith is the founder of two major national health initiatives—the 50 Million Pound Challenge and the Makeover Mile—that have helped millions of people lose weight and improve their health.
A graduate of Harvard, Columbia, and the University of Chicago Pritzker School of Medicine, Dr. Smith was appointed to the President’s Council on Fitness, Sports, and Nutrition in 2010 and is serving a second term.
http://shredlife.com/about-shred/abou...
http://us.macmillan.com/author/ianksmith
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 55 reviews
August 2, 2010
I admit, I've become skeptical of most self-help books whose message can be summed up in "think good thoughts and good things will happen" mantra so popular (and profitable) lately.
Please make no mistake, I believe that one should maintain a positive outlook whenever possible, but the truth is, for many of us, life can be extremely challenging when you are dealing with difficult situations and/or people.
So, when I saw this book simply entitled "Happy," I couldn't help but roll my eyes. Still I pick it up and read the front and back sleeve. Intrigued, I decided to give it the benefit of the doubt.
I'm so glad I did. Dr. Smith writes with a simplicity and straight-forwardness that is refreshing.
However, what really spoke to me in this book was the author's emphasis on readers realizing what is truly important in life. Yes it sounds cliché, but it true regardless.
Now more than ever, we live in a world that edifies "the one who has the most stuff wins" mode of thinking. Yet even though most of us hustle to work and get all of the "stuff" we think we need to have, our level of happiness not only does not change, but in many cases, decreases.
We listen to marketers tell us we need the latest high-tech gadget, designer clothes, expensive car, etc. to be validated as a successful human being.
We are also obsessed with being "busy" and "productive" with activities that add very little real meaning to our lives.
Instead, Dr. Smith, mainly through personal stories, urges us to remember to focus on what's really important in our lives: friends, family and dreams we are truly passionate about.
He also advocates using kindness to not only restore our faith in people, but also as a means to make us (pun intended) happy as well.
Furthermore, Dr. Smith provides practical strategies and tips for putting his tenants to use in our daily 9 to 5 lives.
It may sound obvious, but in today's "me first" world, practicing kindness to others, spending quality time with family and friends, and slowing down to appreciate life's simple pleasures sounds like just what the doctor ordered.
Definitely check this book out.
Please make no mistake, I believe that one should maintain a positive outlook whenever possible, but the truth is, for many of us, life can be extremely challenging when you are dealing with difficult situations and/or people.
So, when I saw this book simply entitled "Happy," I couldn't help but roll my eyes. Still I pick it up and read the front and back sleeve. Intrigued, I decided to give it the benefit of the doubt.
I'm so glad I did. Dr. Smith writes with a simplicity and straight-forwardness that is refreshing.
However, what really spoke to me in this book was the author's emphasis on readers realizing what is truly important in life. Yes it sounds cliché, but it true regardless.
Now more than ever, we live in a world that edifies "the one who has the most stuff wins" mode of thinking. Yet even though most of us hustle to work and get all of the "stuff" we think we need to have, our level of happiness not only does not change, but in many cases, decreases.
We listen to marketers tell us we need the latest high-tech gadget, designer clothes, expensive car, etc. to be validated as a successful human being.
We are also obsessed with being "busy" and "productive" with activities that add very little real meaning to our lives.
Instead, Dr. Smith, mainly through personal stories, urges us to remember to focus on what's really important in our lives: friends, family and dreams we are truly passionate about.
He also advocates using kindness to not only restore our faith in people, but also as a means to make us (pun intended) happy as well.
Furthermore, Dr. Smith provides practical strategies and tips for putting his tenants to use in our daily 9 to 5 lives.
It may sound obvious, but in today's "me first" world, practicing kindness to others, spending quality time with family and friends, and slowing down to appreciate life's simple pleasures sounds like just what the doctor ordered.
Definitely check this book out.
November 15, 2010
I read sections, but honestly mostly skimmed thru the book. I would not have read this if it wasn't a book club read. I didn't find any new information, and was put off every time the author talked about his learning that not everyone is as pompous as he is,
That being said, there is basic starting point information if you need a place to start or a refresher.
That being said, there is basic starting point information if you need a place to start or a refresher.
September 26, 2024
i mean i don’t think it made me happier
December 7, 2011
I have trouble resisting this audiobook because, well, who doesn't want to discover the secret to happiness? I was hoping for some solid research into happiness similar to what I've found in Daniel Amen's books. And while this book did contain some psychology and research findings, they were so bogged down by the author's tangential personal stories and empty platitudes ("live every day like it's your last") that it was hardly worth wading through the junk to get to them. Although this book is short, it felt much longer than it needed to be, since it's incredibly repetitive and reads like a cheesy email forward. It doesn't have a whole lot to say to people who aren't workaholics obsessed with status, and many of its suggestions seem contradictory. (I.e.: he advises "simplifying" your life while also encouraging you to take on special projects at work, to volunteer more often, etc. -- all things that didn't appeal to me because I don't have a ton of time to add to my work or off-work life.) There's a bit of good information in here, but nothing that I hadn't already come across in other sources -- and in a much more engaging matter. This book didn't make me happy -- just annoyed.
October 21, 2010
I wish there was two and half stars. I liked the first few chapters, I thought them very useful, the rest was scanned quickly. It said nothing I had read before, and quoted the same books, I have read in other quoted self help books. I learned something though, the reason my husband is happy is because he has a great imagination. He doesn't need to actually act upon the dream, he just has fun imagining. (Now I'll get in trouble for that.) I hate to say this, but I think the real problem is this is a lightweight book, its not written by a psychologist or some other similar profession, his previous book was about dieting. It was by far not the best positive psychology I've read, not meaty enough.
August 2, 2011
A basic book about different ways to find happiness and steps for getting there. This is not new information, but it was well presented. The author broke happiness down into components (work, family&friends, dreams, spirit, exercise, etc). Each section included questions and action plans for potentially improving happiness related to each component. This book got placed into my very small collection of books to be read again.
May 1, 2012
This book was an easy quick read. All the information in it was stuff I already knew. It was also very annoying that there were random blurbs and lists scattered in a disorganized fashion throughout the entire book, which cut into the middle of whole sections! It's hard to follow a book in which there are totally unrelated lists and side notes taking up whole pages throughout chapters and even the same paragraphs.
December 16, 2018
When he started off with a story about his buddy who left his 7 figure salary job to pursue a job serving others I probably should have guessed that I was not going to be able to relate to this book. It kind of reminded me of a 4 hour long commencement speech,except i didn't find it motivating.I found it overly simplistic,to the point where its hard to imagine people changing their actions or thinking or happiness level. It was a lot a lot of "research has shown that people who do A are happier than people who do B, therefore you need to start doing B. Here are 3 ways to get started. "
I never figured out if to be happier people were supposed to incorporate all of these suggestions (I lost count if felt like 100 suggestions)or if one was enough. A lot of the platitudes and advice weren't bad per se,but completely unrealistic for a lot of people like. Schedule 1 hour daily to not do things for other people, not your job, your spouse your kids, just you time. And i don't know how that works for people with small kids. Make sure you schedule in 3 or 4 ,fifteen breaks at work to look at art or go outside and enjoy nature...Change the numbers of meetings you accept so you always have at least 10 minutes in between meetings.
The thing he promoted most was doing random acts of kindness ie leaving toys on neighbors doorsteps,organizing a food drive, donating coats..I think he mentioned it about every chapter. But then at the end he said it really only increases your happiness a notable amount if you do lots of random acts in a one day period. Spread out they kind of get lost and don't impact happiness a measurable amount....
Overall i really disliked this book.
I never figured out if to be happier people were supposed to incorporate all of these suggestions (I lost count if felt like 100 suggestions)or if one was enough. A lot of the platitudes and advice weren't bad per se,but completely unrealistic for a lot of people like. Schedule 1 hour daily to not do things for other people, not your job, your spouse your kids, just you time. And i don't know how that works for people with small kids. Make sure you schedule in 3 or 4 ,fifteen breaks at work to look at art or go outside and enjoy nature...Change the numbers of meetings you accept so you always have at least 10 minutes in between meetings.
The thing he promoted most was doing random acts of kindness ie leaving toys on neighbors doorsteps,organizing a food drive, donating coats..I think he mentioned it about every chapter. But then at the end he said it really only increases your happiness a notable amount if you do lots of random acts in a one day period. Spread out they kind of get lost and don't impact happiness a measurable amount....
Overall i really disliked this book.
January 17, 2022
I didn't initially plan to read this when I did, but it was a quick read, and I'm glad I finally took it off my TBR pile.
What I did like about the book:
1. The flow was easy to get into. The tone was that of a motivational speaker, but not necessarilly the annoyingly/aggressively happy or optimistic kind.
2. The author broke things down into points that could easily be followed.
3. There were some activities where he invited you to jot down things about yourself so that you could figure out how to be happy.
What I didn't care much about the book:
1. It focussed on the American culture, which is somewhat relatable to mine, but of course not a hundred percent.
2. He dismissed the needs of introverts (probably without meaning to), for example when he suggested that employees should spend even more time together to have fun, when introverts would need to be on their own to recharge.
3. A lot of the points made were nothing new to learn.
Still, not too bad a book, I did like some of the things in it, but it did not really change my outlook on things.
What I did like about the book:
1. The flow was easy to get into. The tone was that of a motivational speaker, but not necessarilly the annoyingly/aggressively happy or optimistic kind.
2. The author broke things down into points that could easily be followed.
3. There were some activities where he invited you to jot down things about yourself so that you could figure out how to be happy.
What I didn't care much about the book:
1. It focussed on the American culture, which is somewhat relatable to mine, but of course not a hundred percent.
2. He dismissed the needs of introverts (probably without meaning to), for example when he suggested that employees should spend even more time together to have fun, when introverts would need to be on their own to recharge.
3. A lot of the points made were nothing new to learn.
Still, not too bad a book, I did like some of the things in it, but it did not really change my outlook on things.
January 17, 2025
I finally got around to reading Happy by Ian Smith, a book that has probably been sitting on my TBR for years. It definitely feels like a throwback, with mentions of Blackberries and advice that’s reflective of its time. The focus is on finding balance, reducing stress, and aligning your actions with your values—solid advice, but nothing groundbreaking.
While some insights are helpful, the book doesn’t quite stand out in today’s crowded self-help space. Overall, it’s a pretty average read. If you’re looking for a quick and easy book to knock off your list, this fits the bill, but don’t expect it to leave a lasting impression.
November 7, 2018
This is another book that doesn't translate well to an audio book. The chapters are great, but to get the full impact you need to have access to the PDFs that come with the kindle book and/or the exercises in the appendix of the printed book. It's not a book to just listen to...you need to listen to the chapter, do the exercises, incorporate the ideas into your life and move on to the next chapter.
I love the idea though.
I love the idea though.
May 24, 2020
This book was okay it had some good points but I do most of them already so for someone who really Is unhappy it might be helpful. I felt the parts where you could write in the book were good reflections but somewhat repetitive and the box portions were places in weird areas throughout a chapter they should have been at the beginning to set up what the author was talking about rather than truly in the middle of a paragraph.
November 5, 2018
A good audiobook to listen to when you don't want to do household chores and don't want to be deeply engaged in the content of the book. Doesn't hurt to reinforce the age-old wisdom that happiness lies within and that one should focus on what really matters in life. There wasn't much new information, but then, not a lot of us follow them anyway.
August 12, 2023
I read sections, but honestly mostly skimmed thru the book. I would not have read this if it wasn't a book club read. I didn't find any new information, and was put off every time the author talked about his learning that not everyone is as pompous as he is,
That being said, there is basic starting point information if you need a place to start or a refresher.
That being said, there is basic starting point information if you need a place to start or a refresher.
May 22, 2018
Listened to this book: a bit too polly-anna; however, it can't help but make one feel a bit better about oneself.
June 21, 2018
Common sense kind of stuff that almost everyone knows, regarding how to be happy. Worth reading, but nothing really new or earth shattering in this book.
November 12, 2018
I rolled my etes so hard while listening to this...
November 14, 2018
Great book to brighten up the dark days of fall and winter. Easy and doable activities to help spur happiness.
January 29, 2019
A light read, some interesting studies quoted, but if you've done a lot of reading on happiness and positive psychology, this book does not offer much in the way of new material.
June 5, 2020
great book, really enjoyed the exercised at the end of each chapter to help take what you read and put it into context for your own situation.
September 16, 2020
Decent book containing good tips and insights from positive psychology pantheon.
August 7, 2021
Yuzlerce kisisel gelisim kitaplarindan biri. Cok okunanlar listesinde oldugu icin okudum. Hayatin ve basarinin sirlarini vermese de bir-iki iyi ve akilda kalan tavsiyesi var.
August 2, 2022
I listened to this book and enjoyed all his thoughts to make life happier. The rocking chair analogy was awesome.
August 9, 2025
Whatever fills your happiness bucket.
November 22, 2023
This was a quick read with some steps for happiness.
September 7, 2017
It was just ok. It took me a while to get through and I really didn't learn much of anything different
September 11, 2010
p.41 "the happines that is genuinely satisfying is accompanied by the fullest exercise of our faculties and the fullest realization of the world in which we live. " Bertrand Russell
p.130 living vs. surviving "...get the most out of your efforts rather than your efforts taking the most out of you."
p.137 "Our passions are often in conflict with practicality, and it is the resolution of this conflict that presents the greatest challenge."
p.207 "...truly believe that a new day represents a new opportunity to improve on the negative and emphasize the positive[...]your approach tot he possibility of a solution can make a tremendous difference in how you handle the problem and the potential outcome. Those who are most successful in dealing with their problems improve their chances of success first by their attitude and then by their actions. you must first have the hope and optimistic belief that something will change for the better either through your own directed actions or through circumstances that you can't control."
p218. "..they must believe in their capacity for greatness, but in doing so they must avoid making comparisons...While society has unfortunately fabricated a tier system of worthiness when it comes to things such as employment etc, it is your responsibility to completely ignore this meaningless hierarchy. Instead, stay focused on challenging and pushing yourself to new heights and accomplishments.
p.130 living vs. surviving "...get the most out of your efforts rather than your efforts taking the most out of you."
p.137 "Our passions are often in conflict with practicality, and it is the resolution of this conflict that presents the greatest challenge."
p.207 "...truly believe that a new day represents a new opportunity to improve on the negative and emphasize the positive[...]your approach tot he possibility of a solution can make a tremendous difference in how you handle the problem and the potential outcome. Those who are most successful in dealing with their problems improve their chances of success first by their attitude and then by their actions. you must first have the hope and optimistic belief that something will change for the better either through your own directed actions or through circumstances that you can't control."
p218. "..they must believe in their capacity for greatness, but in doing so they must avoid making comparisons...While society has unfortunately fabricated a tier system of worthiness when it comes to things such as employment etc, it is your responsibility to completely ignore this meaningless hierarchy. Instead, stay focused on challenging and pushing yourself to new heights and accomplishments.
May 7, 2010
All of us go through a time in our lives when being happy just doesn't seem realistic. When I was going through my divorce, I wasn't even able to remember what that five letter word meant. I wish that I would have had a copy of this book back then.
Ian breaks the emotions down for you in an easy to understand manner that has such a positive feel to it that you can't help but feel better. Here is what you will learn from reading this book:
--How to be optimistic
--Why optimism and realism are not opposites
--How to get outside yourself
--The importance of family and community
--Why involvement leads to contentment
--Shedding the treadmill mentality of getting and spending
--Tapping the power of simple pleasures
--Mastering modern life to live in the moment
--What we can learn from the Danish people
--How to be, not just to do
Ian is a natural writer who motivates and reassures readers that they are capable of happiness by setting their mentality and not giving up. This book would make a great graduation gift. I really enjoyed this book and all the lessons it taught me.
March 28, 2011
I tend to be skeptical of those "here's how to get happy" books, but for some reason I sometimes end up reading them anyway. Not because I necessarily don't feel happy, but I guess I feel like you can never be too happy, you know? This one has several good points, but I'd heard a lot of the material before. On the other hand, I liked that the author cites the research to support his claims and provides practical suggestions for putting the ideas to use. For instance, I already knew that exercise and doing nice things for others makes people feel happy, but he lists some specific ways to do each of those things and uses research to demonstrate how much these things help and why they make us feel good. "Happy" is less cheesy than most similar books are, though it does have a few parts that made groan. Overall, I think this book was worth reading for the few things I got out of it, but it's not going to change my life or anything.
July 30, 2016
I have read a ton of books on how to be happy, what it takes to be happy and everything in between. This book was no exception and it didn't stand out amongst the crowd. That being said, it still proved a valuable asset amongst many others. Smith included quizzes, challenges and suggestions with almost every chapter and his personal stories helped bring the reader along on a ride that seems common to most. It was an easy, quick read and an enjoyable one.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 55 reviews