59 Seconds

59 Seconds – Change Your Life in Under a Minute
by Richard Wiseman

This anti-self help book presents amusing stories and little tidbits that you can put into practice easily. Happiness is elusive for so many people, but it is unclear how to work towards it. The author of this book is a psychologist who feels his profession has let people down. He even believes that talking about your problems often make them worse – a cornerstone of modern psychology. He tears apart the idea of imagining yourself in a happy place. Instead make solid goals and make an objective checklist of how life would be better if you reached them. Talk about what you are doing to reach your goals. There are also some excellent short writing exercises designed to improve your state of mind, like writing about good memories.

The most important tip is advice for what to do if you find yourself in an emergency situation surrounded by a group of people. Focus on one friendly face and explain what is wrong and ask that person to help you. You are more likely to get help then to solicit the entire group with a “help me!”