How to Stop Worrying and Start Living
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| Author | Dale Carnegie |
|---|---|
| Language | English |
| Subject | Self-help |
| Genre | Non-fiction |
| Publisher | Simon and Schuster (1948) |
Publication date | 1948 |
| Media type | Print (Paperback) |
| Pages | 306 pp |
| ISBN | 0671035975 |
| OCLC | 203759 |
How to Stop Worrying and Start Living is a self-help book by Dale Carnegie and first printed in 1948.
Carnegie says in the preface that he wrote it because he "was one of the unhappiest lads in New York". He said that he made himself sick with worry because he hated his position in life, which he credits for wanting to figure out how to stop worrying.
The book's goal is to lead the reader to a more enjoyable and fulfilling life, helping them to become more aware of, not only themselves, but others around them. Carnegie tries to address the everyday nuances of living, in order to get the reader to focus on the more important aspects of life.
Overview
Part One: Fundamental Facts You Should Know About Worry
Chapter 1: Live in "Day-tight Compartments"
Focus on living each day fully without worrying about the past or future. Emphasizes the importance of living in the present to reduce anxiety.
Chapter 2: A Magic Formula for Solving Worry Situations
Introduces a three-step formula for tackling worry: Analyze the situation fearlessly and honestly. Determine the worst possible outcome. Accept the worst outcome and try to improve on it.
Chapter 3: What Worry May Do to You
Discusses the harmful physical and mental effects of worry, including health problems and decreased productivity.
Part Two: Basic Techniques in Analyzing Worry
Chapter 4: How to Analyze and Solve Worry Problems
Describes how to approach problems methodically: Get the facts. Analyze the facts. Arrive at a decision. Act on that decision.
Chapter 5: How to Eliminate Fifty Percent of Your Business Worries
Suggests ways to improve efficiency and reduce business worries by organizing and prioritizing tasks, and not worrying about minor issues.
Part Three: How to Break the Worry Habit Before It Breaks You
Chapter 6: How to Crowd Worry Out of Your Mind
Advocates keeping busy with constructive tasks to prevent worrying.
Chapter 7: Don't Let the Beetles Get You Down
Advises not to let small, insignificant things bother you.
Chapter 8: A Law That Will Outlaw Many of Your Worries
Encourages acceptance of inevitable events, recognizing that worry won't change outcomes.
Chapter 9: Co-operate with the Inevitable
Suggests adapting to circumstances beyond control instead of resisting them.
Chapter 10: Put a "Stop-Loss" Order on Your Worries
Recommends setting a time limit on how long to worry about something before moving on.
Chapter 11: Don't Try to Saw Sawdust
Emphasizes the futility of worrying about things that have already happened and cannot be changed.
Part Four: Seven Ways to Cultivate a Mental Attitude That Will Bring You Peace and Happiness
Chapter 12: Eight Words That Can Transform Your Life
Encourages adopting a positive outlook by reminding oneself that “it is what it is.”
Chapter 13: The High, Cost of Getting Even
Discusses the emotional toll of holding grudges and seeking revenge, promoting forgiveness instead.
Chapter 14: If You Do This, You Will Never Worry About Ingratitude
Suggests doing good deeds without expecting gratitude in return.
Chapter 15: Would You Take a Million Dollars for What You Have?
Promotes gratitude by considering the value of one's current blessings.
Chapter 16: Find Yourself and Be Yourself: Remember There Is No One Else on Earth Like You
Encourages embracing one's unique qualities and avoiding the trap of trying to be someone else.
Chapter 17: If You Have a Lemon, Make a Lemonade
Advocates turning negative situations into positive opportunities.
Chapter 18: How to Cure Melancholy in Fourteen Days
Offers practical advice on overcoming depression by engaging in activities that bring joy and satisfaction.
Part Five: The Golden Rule for Conquering Worry
Chapter 19: How My Mother and Father Conquered Worry
Shares personal stories to illustrate the power of positive thinking and practical action in overcoming worry.
Part Six: How to Keep from Worrying About Criticism
Chapter 20: Remember That No One Ever Kicks a Dead Dog
Points out that criticism often comes from envy and is a sign of success.
Chapter 21: Do This—and Criticism Can't Hurt You
Suggests listening to criticism objectively and using it as constructive feedback.
Chapter 22: Fool Things I Have Done
Encourages acknowledging one's mistakes and learning from them rather than dwelling on them. Part Seven: Six Ways to Prevent Fatigue and Worry and Keep Your Energy and Spirits High
Chapter 23: How to Add One Hour a Day to Your Waking Life
Recommends techniques for managing time more effectively to reduce stress and increase productivity. Chapter 24: What Makes You Tired—and What You Can Do About It
Explores causes of fatigue and practical ways to avoid it.
Chapter 25: How to Avoid Fatigue—and Keep Looking Young
Suggests maintaining physical health through proper rest, exercise, and nutrition to avoid worry-induced fatigue.
Chapter 26: Four Good Working Habits That Will Help Prevent Fatigue and Worry
Provides tips for developing good working habits to reduce stress and increase efficiency. Chapter 27: How to Banish the Boredom That Produces Fatigue, Worry, and Resentment
Recommends keeping life interesting and engaging to avoid feelings of fatigue and worry.
Chapter 28: How to Keep from Worrying About Insomnia
Offers advice on dealing with insomnia, emphasizing the importance of not worrying about lack of sleep. Part Eight: "How I Conquered Worry"
Chapter 29: How to Conquer Worry
Provides real-life examples of people who overcame worry using the principles discussed in the book.
