Slowing Down to the Speed of Life: How To Create A More Peaceful, Simpler Life From the Inside Out

by Richard Carlson, Joseph Bailey

Feel like you're always rushing but never catching up?Are you doing more, but enjoying it less? The frantic pace and pressure of modern life can take a serious toll on your happiness and your health'but there is one way to step off the treadmill without giving up your career or your activities. The answer lies not in sacrificing your work productivity or your lifestyle but rather in changing your attitudes. By using simple exercises to slow down your mind and focus on the present moment, you can actually achieve greater productivity and creativity-all while maintaining a calmer, healthier state of mind. Slowing Down to the Speed of Life helps

Genres: Self Help, Nonfiction, Psychology, Spirituality, Health, Personal Development, Philosophy

240 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 1997

About the author

Richard Carlson was an American author, psychotherapist, and motivational speaker. His book, Don't Sweat the Small Stuff... and it's all Small Stuff (1997), was USA Today's bestselling book for two consecutive years and spent over 101 weeks on the New York Times Best Seller list. It was published in 135 countries and translated into Latvian, Polish, Icelandic, Serbian and 26 other languages. Carlson went on to write 20 books.

Reviews

[C. Janelle · Rating 3 out of 5]

Ironically, perhaps, I read through this book very quickly.

I really like the basic idea---that through mindfulness and in-the-moment living, we can bring back the balance between our analytical and non-analytical thought processes, thereby derailing the circuitous train of thought that often leads us in a circle of stress, confusion, and overwhelm. The chapter on parenting was an especially good reminder for me, particularly the section about having compassion for our children's moods, even when they're really crappy moods. It's much easier for me to recognize when other people aren't doing this than it is when I'm not doing it. It's also much easier for me to have compassion with my children's sour moods when they're not acting out in the grocery store. I didn't see any specific suggestions here for cultivating compassion when you have an audience of disgruntled onlookers.

While there was some very good advice in here, I found the book rather repetitive and unpleasantly peppered with self-help language, like the heading "Unleashing Innate Human Potential." I'm suspicious of any author who uses the term "unleash" non-ironically. And for me, at least, there wasn't much in the way of new ideas here, which I could see as a sign that I've got all of the tools I need already at my disposal and it's just a matter of putting them into play (or putting them into play more consistently).

So, good reminders, hokey language, quick read.

[Liaken · Rating 2 out of 5]

Okay, I've finished and updated my review. If you are wondering about reading this book, read my review to get the concepts, and you can probably skip the book.

From the book: "Given that thoughts and feelings are one and the same ..."

Something kept bugging me about the approach in this book, and I think this is it. I don't think thoughts and feelings are one and the same. That's not a given for me. So, their premise keeps tilting back and forth as it wobbles on this problem. Just prior to this statement, the authors had just finished discussing high moods and low moods, that we need to be grateful for the high moods and graceful in the low moods while waiting for them to pass. And what, I ask, creates the low moods? And are low moods composed solely of thoughts and feelings, which are, after all, one and the same?

I guess what I'm trying to get at here is that here I am about fifty pages into the book, and every time the book starts to be useful, it tips back over onto this idea of thoughts and feelings being the same thing. While I do think that we can exacerbate our feelings with our thoughts, and that there is a definite relationship between them, I do not think they are the same thing. Not at all.

At one point as I was reading, I stopped and thought, "So what about a woman in Rwanda who was raped and saw her family slaughtered. I suppose her feelings are just thoughts, and she needs to let go of her analytical feeling and move into free flowing thought, and presto, it will all be solved?" Nope. The premise of this book doesn't work. So, I'm having a hard time finding the value in what they're presenting. I do think they have something good to say, but, man, they just keep beating the same drum over and over, and it makes it hard to hear the reed flute in the distance.

On this note, it would help if they had an editor who could tighten things up and remove the redundancy. They repeat themselves a lot. I find myself thinking, "Okay, now get to the point." And then they assure me, "We'll talk about this more later." Why not now? Why not just tell me the point of what you're saying?

Well, I'll keep reading ... see if I can distinguish that reed flute ...

UPDATE

Okay, I sort of finished the book. What this means is that as I figured out the concepts, I pretty much started to skim for development of those concepts rather than wade through endless examples of the benefits of living "at the speed of life" (admittedly, I really like that phrase) and more talk about thoughts and feelings being the same thing. So, what are the concepts? What is the melody of that distant reed flute?

There are two basic types of thought: Analytic and Free-flowing.

Analytic thought is defined as conscious, deliberate thinking where the mind is running through the information in an attempt to find "the answer." This is best for planning, scheduling, calculating, memorizing, recalling data ... pretty much, anything where you have ALL in the information on hand and can analyze it to make a decision.

Free-flowing thought is defined as the sort of wandering mode of thought that occurs unconsciously or effortlessly. It's what the mind does when relaxed and in neutral (Beware: Do not think that because you are constantly analyzing in your mind that this means you are engaged in free-flowing thought). This is best for when we don't have all the information to make an analytic decision ... which means that it is the best mode of thought MOST of the time.

They create a term: "Thought attack." This is what happens when your mind runs through all in the information over and over trying to figure things out and getting faster and more involved as it spins on and on ... because there isn't an answer to be had in this way or at this time. I could relate to this idea. I've had "thought attacks." Even frequently. And they definitely don't help me understand the situation any better, though they definitely help me get stressed out about it.

So, because of how our society and culture are set up, most of us use our analytic thinking as our primary mode of thought, which means that we're living a sped up life where we're rarely in the present moment, just being, but are instead whizzing along, trying to figure everything (living faster than the speed of life). When we are able to really switch over to free-flowing thought, we slow down, relax, live in the moment, and find the answers we're looking for, because our mind spontaneously offers them to us. For instance, have you ever had a brilliant idea while showering or brushing your teeth? I have. According to the authors, it's because your mind is relaxed and in free-flowing mode, and, therefore, able to offer you answers that all your analysis could not bring.

A few pieces from the book:

When something bad happens and we address it in analytic mode, we tend to blow it out of proportion, and while "bad things still happen when we slow down, ... they never look as bad as when we're speeded up" (pg. 53).

"The fact is, when you feel overwhelmed by your thinking, you aren't at your best--ever. Among other things, you lose your ability to see the big picture. You imagine your problems and concerns to be bigger than they actually are, and you see no viable solutions. You rush around, yet you accomplish very little." (pg. 48)

"Feelings are a mechanism to let us know when our minds are operating too quickly and when it's time to slow down." (pg. 54) (Ahem, are you sure they're not the same as thoughts?)

"If we do not know the answer to a specific problem, recycling the same information over and over usually will not produce a solution. It will, however, keep our minds busy and speeded up." (pg. 60)

"The best way to solve a problem that is not immediately apparent is to tap into our creative thought process, a flow of thoughts that emerges naturally as we empty the mind of our analytical thinking. This deeper intelligence or free-flowing thinking takes us to a higher level of understanding and usually provides us with the answers we need. Being willing to not know, having the humility to admit that our analytical thinking isn't providing us with the answers we need, is the entry point into the free-flowing mode of thinking. Over time, you will begin to trust that this reflective mode of thinking has most of the answers you need." (pg. 60)

"The next time you have a concern, problem, or challenge that has you stumped, try putting it on the back burner. Tell your back burner the nature of the problem, when you need the solution, and any other specifications you wish. Now, let go! Don't be checking the pot every five minutes. Remember, a watched pot never boils. When your answer comes, remind yourself of the type of thinking that created your answer--free-flowing, back-burner thinking. The more you reinforce the genius of this free-flowing thinking, the more often you will trust yourself to use it." (pg. 65)

"The ultimate solution for stress is to lower our tolerance for is, to recognize it before it becomes a big problem. Once we recognize thought, our thinking slips into a more reflective mode, thus allowing us to see more clearly. This is just the opposite of what many of us have been taught. We've been led to believe that building our tolerance for stress so that we can handle more and more of it is a sign of strength. Unfortunately, the equation is such that our current level of internal stress is always equal to our current level of tolerance. So if you can handle lots of stress, guess what? You'll always feel lots of stress. Stress is actually a signal that we have gotten into an unhealthy though process--analytical thinking when it was inappropriate, for example. Seeing stress as a signal can wake us up to the fact that we are thinking, and thus is can shift our mode of thinking. Stress is like the warning light going off in our car, telling us that the engine is too hot. Without it, we will damage the engine, our mental health." (pg. 87-88)

"Imagine your life as a time line: You are born---------right now----------the moment you die." (pg 139)

"A helpful analogy for trying to understand the essence of a quiet mind is to think of horses grazing in a field. Horses wander around looking for food. They don't focus on any one area for very long; they drift from place to place. so too with a quiet mind. It doesn't focus on any one thought--or series of thoughts--for too long. Thoughts come, then flow out. Not much attention is given to any single thought. All thoughts are treated equally. A quiet mind is a mind at rest, like an animal grazing in a field. In these quiet moments, you will be pleasantly surprised with frequent inspirations and insights that will delight you--thoughts like 'That's what I need to do' or 'That's so obvious.' You will find new solutions to important questions that you may have been struggling with. Life will seem easier, more manageable." (pg. 206)

FINAL NOTE: Is this book worth reading? Hm. Well, I tried to put the "worth reading" parts in my review. I guess if you feel totally on fire by the quoted bits, you might enjoy the book. But if, instead, you feel like "yeah, good thoughts," then don't bother. In my opinion, these were the best bits where they were actually saying something. Basically the point of the book is to live in the moment. That's the reed flute. This is not a new concept and this book certainly isn't the best work on it. I think the authors thought it was a new concept, which might be why they dealt with it so clumsily. But they are obviously excited about it and experienced great life changes by changing over to living more of their lives "in the moment."

Well, that's it. Hope you enjoyed my long review of a book that might not have merited a long review ...

[Diane Fordham · Rating 2 out of 5]

I’ve had this book for many years, and have read it at least twice before. The first self help book that I read and one that I have recommended to many people. So I’m not sure what happened this time, as I did not enjoy it at all. I found it to be very dated, very simplistic, patronising and incredibly repetitive. The idea of trying to stay present in the moment is now common place and known to be helpful on many levels, but here it is delivered as the panacea for literally every issue facing mankind. No middle ground, quite simple be present or live in misery and chaos. Brilliant book if you can draw out the basic message but ignore all the unnecessary repetitiveness.

[Megan McKeown · Rating 2 out of 5]

As someone who strives to live a mentally healthy life, I do believe in the philosophy preached in this book. However, the philosophy of “slowing down to the speed of life” was really over beaten throughout each chapter. I felt more like I was being talked at than taught by the authors. I would’ve appreciated if it was written at a higher comprehension level. I would’ve also appreciated if they used the phrase “slowing down to the speed of life” significantly less.

[Shayne · Rating 4 out of 5]

Insightful book on "mind hackery", worth a read, and helps me to make explicit a way I've felt for some time: your feelings are within your control, because they're deeply integrated with your thoughts, which are within your control. Often, letting go of unwanted feelings (stress, anxiety, anger) is as easy as realizing that your thoughts are causing them.

[Ian Laird · Rating 4 out of 5]

In the self-help world the straightforward, practical books of Richard Carlson stand out for their common sense. In his wonderful ‘Don’t Sweat…’ series he provides guidance and techniques to make life less stressful; easier to navigate. By not trying to make us perfect he helps us make better use of our time and feel better about it.

This refreshing book, co-authored on this occasion with Joseph Bailey, legitimises slowing down, metaphorically and even physically. By not moving as fast as you can, but by staying in tune with your surroundings and circumstances, it’s easier to enjoy whatever you are doing. This is being in the moment, which is of course, well known as mindfulness.

The authors identify divergent modes of thought: detailed and analytical thinking or ‘process thinking’ and instinctively letting things happen or ‘free flowing thinking’. These concepts of process thinking and free thinking are well illustrated. Setting up a lecture in a foreign city can benefit from process thinking when working out the requirements and logistics but causes angst worrying about all the things which may go awry. Free flowing thought may not cut it working out details but can provide comfort and perspective about the big picture, imagining a successful outcome for example.

Again, these concepts are not unique. They are similar to Timothy Gallwey’s ‘self-one’ and ‘self-two’ which he sets out in The Inner Game of Tennis: The Classic Guide to the Mental Side of Peak Performance and other sports books, and which he applies more broadly. Both ways of thinking are useful, so long as we recognise the difference and where each might be appropriate. Carlson and Bailey speak of ‘forks in the road’ representing different ways of seeing the same circumstances.

The strength of the book is not necessarily originality but rather the clarity with which the basic thesis is articulated - slow down. The test of such a book is does it help. Well it helps me: to ease off the pace, to be in the moment and use the two different forms of thinking to achieve the best result. My tennis game improved dramatically (there was a lot of scope) after adopting Timothy Gallwey’s approach (playing with the instinctive self-two mode). This review benefitted (I assure you) from drafting then letting the piece percolate in a free-flowing sort of way. Simply walking along the street, literally slowing down, and consciously enjoying the journey has been gratifying.

While the book is repetitious and has the feel of being unmixed, like oil and water – your turn, my turn - the precepts are valuable and the applications useful; for parenting, relationships and work and as I say, actually makes a difference.

[Sean Goh · Rating 3 out of 5]

Reread in March 2016.


No matter where you go, you always take your thinking with you.
Without thinking, there would be no experience.
Thoughts and feeling are inseparable.

Analytic thinking works best when we have close-to complete information.
Using it for matters of the heart will lead to negative emotions arising.
When trying to force answers instead of letting them unfold, we end up rushing around frantic, confused and frustrated.
Such negative feelings are an emotional compass that something is up.

Admitting that we don't know is a key that opens the door to creativity.

Grateful in good moods, graceful in bad moods.

Interpreting events is like passing them through the filter of our past.

The cause of most arguments is disagreement over belief, values or preferences, which have their basis in conditioning.

Have faith in the power of rapport to present solutions agreeable to both that may not be readily apparent.

*Effective communication needs both parties to be engaged, hence ensure permission has been sought. The other party might not be ready?
*Have a heart to heart, not a heart to head, or worse, a head to head.

When one is irritated and has low tolerance, one will have near-perfect expectations, leading to easy disappointments.

See beyond the mood, to the person beyond the behaviour. Don't take moods personally.

Peak periods are more demanding. They are only more stressful if you think so.

The root explanation for dissatisfaction or boredom is lack of attention to the moment.

The problem with over-evaluating your relationship is twofold: It is usually self-serving and biased and therefore in accurate.
And it is based on your thoughts about the situation, which will be self-validating and self-fulfilling.

The experience of subjective time has very little to do with clock time and everything to do with your thoughts.

Take care that futuristic thinking does not intrude upon your enjoyment of the present moment.

[Lora Shouse · Rating 5 out of 5]

I noticed that some of the other reviews were down on this book because they said there were better books on the psychology of mind. That is possible, but I have not read any of them.

The authors talk about the difference between the analytical or processing mode of thought and the free-flowing, in-the-moment mode of thought they equate with mental health. The analytical mode, they maintain, is the best mode to use when trying to solve specific, defined problems where all the variables are known – situations that can be compared to math problems where you have enough information to compute the answer. The free-flowing mode, on the other hand, is the best method to use when you are dealing with a situation where you don’t know some of the important variables. They maintain that this mode is most conducive to allowing your creativity to come up with solutions that purely analytical thinking would never get to.

The reason they give for the misuse of the analytical mode of thinking causing people to feel too overwhelmed or speeded up in their lives is the tendency to try to repeat our analysis of the problem over and over when we are stumped by repeatedly coming across the things we don’t and can’t know. You can get so caught up in trying to get past this that you are unable to move on to the other things you need to do and find yourself continually short of time.

What I liked about this book was that it was short and an easy read. While there was not a lot of detailed information about stuff you need to do to make it work for you, their main points are simple and easy enough to remember that you can actually begin to put them into practice just by making small adjustments in your thinking. You don’t have to complete a forty-page workbook or go on a month-long retreat to implement them. You only have to focus less on your insoluble problems and more on what is happening in the moment.

[Michael · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is really helpful. I totally get that the stress I feel is dependent on my perceptions more than the events and people around me. I feel myself implementing the ideas in this book and my life is already changing. On the whole, the book can be repetitive...arguably just applying the same principle to a bunch of different areas of one's life. Still, at times it was helpful to have specifics. I recommend it to nearly anyone, but even more so to the busy, overworked, perfectionist types (like me).

[Phil · Rating 2 out of 5]

Scanned/read it as a reference from another author (Leo Babauta) that I admire on the same subject. Mostly useful for the tools that they give you, in dealing with stessors. Probably pretty standard "psycho-therapy" treatment in book form. I scanned probably 60% and read the rest (relationships, children). Good reference. There are better, more up-to-date works out there, now, on the same subjects.

[Stacy · Rating 3 out of 5]

I liked the content of this book. I definitely can get on board with the idea that most of our stress is a direct result of our thoughts. I am only giving the book three stars, however, because I thought is was poorly written and presented. But as long as you look beyond all the awkward sentences it was pretty insightful.

[Ken · Rating 5 out of 5]

In this book Richard Carlson and Joseph Bailey teach you how to create a more peaceful, simpler life from the inside out. It all starts by changing our thought patterns. A great read for anyone who wants to improve not only their life but the lives of those around them.

[Laura]

Eh. I got almost halfway through when I decided that "change your thoughts to change your feelings" just doesn't often work for me, and I lost interest.

[Colette · Rating 3 out of 5]

I found this book worthwhile.
I had similar problems with it that other reviewers have mentioned.
The book glosses over what can happen with genuinely traumatic events and relationships. The authors come from the viewpoint that the person you are dealing with is also a rational, thoughtful person. That’s not always the case. There is no advice in this book that will help you heal from a past event, or help you cope with and abusive relationship or person.
That’s a big miss if this book really wants to help you get more out of your life and your relationships.
However, their assertion that we have two modes of thinking - free flowing, or analytical - and the value of each was helpful.
It’s a different take on why there is so much value to living in the present moment, and I appreciated that perspective. It also reminded me to give myself permission to slow down, and points out that slowing down an not being reactive can lead to being even more effective and productive than letting your drive keep you constantly on the treadmill of going from one task to the next hour after hour, day after day.
And I enjoyed the concept of slowing down to the speed of life. It reminds me of a friend who is an actress. I once asked her for her social media contact information and asked if she texts. Her answer stuck with me. She said one of the greatest benefits to doing live theater is that her job forces her to live at the pace of real life and that she tries to keep that pace in her personal life too, so she chooses not to be so available and accessible 24/7.
If you live a fast paced life and are starting to wonder if there is a better, more authentic, and more enjoyable way to live, then this book might be a helpful tool for you.

[Samantha · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really wish there was a 'did not finish' shelf.

I've had this book sitting in limbo forever waiting for me to finish it, but I've decided I'm never actually going to. If I had read this book when I first stole it from my parents as a teenager, maybe I would have gotten a lot more out of it. With where I am in my life right now, though, it's not really a book I need anymore.

As such, it's hard to actually give it a rating, but... I'll be generous with it and give it 4 stars, as I did get a quarter through it even without needing its advice.

It's been awhile since I've actually read any of it, but it is well-organized and written in a way that makes it easy to read small chunks at a time. I think the writing was fairly easy to understand as well, rather than being super technical or the like. Just skimming through the book right now, it seems easy to read and with a conversational tone.

Overall, I can't give this a true rating, since I didn't finish, but I didn't finish because I'm not the target audience for this book. Past me was, but that past me was a long time ago. If you feel like the title of the book applies to you, go ahead and give it a shot.

[Debbie Hill · Rating 3 out of 5]

I first read this "self-help" book in February 2013 and decided to read it again, now that many of our regular activities have been cancelled or postponed and the Canadian government has encouraged everyone to social distance ourselves due to COVID-19 with the hopes of "flattening the curve".

Co-authored in 1997 by Richard Carlson, the best-selling author of the "Don't Sweat the Small Stuff" series and Joseph Bailey, a licensed psychologist, the book proposes an interesting but not original concept to live in the "now" versus living in the past and/or planning for the future. They suggest that the best solutions and/or decisions arise from 1) listening 2) seeing the wisdom in not knowing 3) having faith in the free-flowing mode and 4) putting your problems on the back burner.

A quick and easy read! I'd be curious to hear whether their theories would still hold true over twenty years later at a time when people are confused about this current health crisis and are sweating more than the "small stuff".

[Afnizar · Rating 4 out of 5]

The idea of slow living appeals to me, and I did read a lot of articles and scanned through other books on the topic, but nothing come close to how this book manages to deal with the issue. This book discusses how to actually start living mindfully beyond the usual superficial mantra of 'live the moment' etc. by arguing that it all rooted from how we manage our thoughts, that slow-living can be done if we use more of our free flowing thinking instead of analytical thinking. I like how the authors fully explained the effects of these two modes of thinking and gladly admit that by knowing this I have actually been able to move closer to being as calm as I want to be. The first two chapters are the important ones, and if you are already making some effective changes to yourself after reading these two the remainder can just be scanned through (ironic, I know) because they are essentially explaining how to apply the concepts discussed earlier.

[Kate · Rating 2 out of 5]

"Feeling rushed, harried, stressed or like you can never get enough done? Worried that slowing down your life will mean giving up work, activities, or relationships? Relax! You can achieve a calmer and saner state of mind by changing your attitude, not by downsizing your life. Slowing Down to the Speed of Life helps you learn:
*That slowing down doesn't involve major changes in your lifestyle.
*That your productivity will actually increase when you slow down.
*That even though people around you may be rushed and stressed, you can maintain calm in the midst of their storm.
*That other people's habits, attitudes, behaviors, and moods don't have to affect the quality of your day or the pace of your life.
*That you can get the satisfaction you've been striving for.
*That finally, you can b happy!"
~~back cover

I appreciated the message, but I found the book very repetitive, making the same points in different situations: work, relationships, parenting, etc.

[Felipe Bernardo · Rating 4 out of 5]

It´s a great book as an introduction to an understanding from the inside-out on how our minds work and therefore, how understanding it allows us to have a better quality of life, at its own speed, one step at a time.
The authors' way of writing really spoke to me for the majority of the chapters, being very relatable as they share their own stories of struggle and understanding.

I only don´t give 5 stars, because after the second half of the book the authors gave many "to do" tasks or attention activities, which in my opinion can be good as a way to point to a deeper truth, however I think they offered too many "steps" and lost a bit the point of it all.

All in all, a great read. Take away what doesn´t resonate and keep the truth in the message.

[Susie Derkins · Rating 4 out of 5]

This one took me longer to read. If you meditate and apply the principles explained by the author in your daily living, you will come to appreciate this gem of a book. My plan is to read this book next year, and see how well I adopted the "free-flowing mode" of thinking. My hope is to recognize when I am out of the moment because I'm too engaged in analytical thinking or being highly distracted by thoughts of the past or even the future. I like the way the author illustrates "being in the present" to rock climbing because it's almost impossible not to be present. "I must be right where I am and nowhere else." And to have this full attention on the step (along the wall) he was working on - and nothing else - brought him great joy. And I know exactly what he means - it's the exhilaration of an overly distracted mind being quieted.

[Emmanuel Vergara · Rating 2 out of 5]

It started off good the first 4 or 5 chapters and after that it just couldn’t capture my attention much longer. I’ve read many different self help books and I feel like this one kept dragging after a while. Could’ve been written in 3 or 4 chapters. The author used many different examples to reiterate the main topic of “slowing down” and just wasn’t exhilarating enough. Each chapter was the same with respect to the different examples he used and that’s where it really got boring. This book would be much better off under the “Young Adult” genre.

[Ravi Raman · Rating 4 out of 5]

A nice read about how to live and work better, not by working harder but instead by slowing down. The overall theme of the book points to a humans have to create innovate and find their way through life without struggle. Some of the chapters become a bit monotonous, and I wish there was a bit more data, science based stories or examples from the public sphere to back up the theses of the book. I found myself skimming or even skipping some of the chapters that didn’t seem particularly relevant to me. Overall however this is a good book.

[David · Rating 5 out of 5]

Everyone should read this book. Whether you think you need this book or not, you do. It should be mandatory reading in schools, and standard business practice in workplaces. The middle is a little bit repetitive, but with good reason, the concepts are worth exploring in multiple life contexts. Keep reading though. I found the best thoughts in this book were kept to the last few chapters, a rarity for books generally devoted to a single important principle.

[Vicky · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really enjoy books by Richard Carlson. I think I have most of his "Don't Sweat the Small Stuff"" books. I enjoyed reading this, though his other books are better, in my opinion. I did get a lot of good information from it. Both authors shared good ideas about how to stay in the moment and how much a person can benefit from doing that. I need to do that more as I am always planning what to do next and always writing To Do lists. Being in the moment is just what I need.

[Sana Vasli · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a great book for Type A personalities who feel the need to fill every moment of their life and spend a lot of time in deep thinking. The authors challenge this idea and recommend a more balanced free-flowing mindset that help you stay in the moment. You need to reflect on the concepts and they are pretty easy to put into action.

I found it very easy to read and relate to.

[Sarah Rigg · Rating 4 out of 5]

Easily one of the best books I've read about dealing with anxiety. I have re-read it multiple times now. The authors teach you about the two different mind states and how to live more of your life in "flow" for lower levels of anxiety. They then apply their ideas to family, work, and other situations.

[WendyGwen · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love this book and keep it on my bedside table. So many helpful reminders to simplify and be in the moment. It’s written in an accessible way that gets the points across effectively. If I feel myself slipping into frenetic mode thinking of this book or rereading passages helps me immensely.

[Kelli Reddy · Rating 3 out of 5]

Self help type book about slowing down and staying in the present moment. Written in the 90’s so interesting how relevant the book still is on how the internet and cell phones are speeding everything up.

[Sara · Rating 5 out of 5]

I've needed this book for a long time! It has made living in the present more reachable for me. Excellent ideas about living life just one thing at a time and appreciating all the beauty that is around us.

[Kristen · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book tied in nicely with the one I'm writing on living according to your values, though I found it didn't give enough specifics or How-Tos. The basic premise of slowing down, stepping back, and trusting intuition is worth delving into, though.