Christine Carter (1)

I found the first half pretty helpful, with good tips for how to evaluate and set up your time so that you spend less time on things you're less interested in doing and more time on the things that really matter. I was inspired to buy a small treadmill for under my desk so that I can walk while I work, a totally doable thing that solves a major problem for me (no perceived time to exercise).

I started chafing at the section about cultivating relationships. The author tries to connect this and other sections that are essentially about happiness to the theme of productivity by arguing that happier people are more efficient people, but it seemed like a stretch for this book as it is titled. The section on relationships gives you LOTS more to do: loving-kindness meditations, giving away money, and if you have no money to give, no problem – you can just raise some money to give. Do five-minute favors AND fifteen-minute favors. Write a gratitude letter. I was totally exhausted just reading about it. But that’s probably why I’m not very good at relationships.… (meer)

There's some good info in this book and helpful reminders on how to focus on what's important, especially as a parent. If you like more background on the why behind recommended strategies, you'll like what is provided in this book. If you're a "less is more" reader, you might find yourself skipping through some of the research and rationales. I did but it could be no fault of the book and my impatience only. I've also been reading lots of business books for my work right now, and wanted to read this book quickly for motivation and specific family needs. So it was my impatience for a short list and a few stories to motivate me that keeps this from a higher rating. But it's a solid book that will give you valuable ideas to use with your family and yourself.… (meer)