Creating Your Best Life: The Ultimate Life List Guide

by Michael B. Frisch, Caroline Adams Miller

Overview

“A fascinating book that connects the research on goal-setting with the new science of positive psychology”—redesigned and reissued with a new introduction (Publishers Weekly, starred review).

Comprehensive and evidence-based, Creating Your Best Life breaks new ground in revealing how happiness and success are interconnected. With dozens of interactive exercises and quizzes, it helps readers identify their most cherished needs, ambitions, and wishes so they can take control of their environment and maximize their chances of success. The authors’ unique “life list coaching” explains, step by step, how to set goals in 16 key areas—including love relationships, family, health, work, self-esteem, friendship, money, problem-solving, and creativity—that inspire people to live their lives more consciously, productively, and joyfully.

“Caroline Miller brings together positive psychology research and hands-on exercises into a unique mix, a manual for defining one’s life goals and making strides toward achieving them.” —Deepak Chopra

“A+ for the authors’ ability to integrate science with a practical application for the general public. One of the best of its kind.” —Library Journal

“This powerful book brings together the latest scientific research on goal setting and well-being and presents it in an engaging way anyone can follow to create a better life.” —James Pawelski, PhD, Director of Education and Senior Scholar, Positive Psychology Center, University of Pennsylvania

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9781454943020
Publisher:	Union Square & Co.
Publication date:	11/22/2022
Sold by:	Barnes & Noble
Format:	eBook
Pages:	290
Sales rank:	580,248
File size:	2 MB

About the Author

Caroline is one of the world's leading experts on the science behind successful goal setting and the use of 'good grit' to achieve hard things. A Harvard graduate with a Masters in Applied Positive Psychology from the University of Pennsylvania, she has authored six books including Creating Your Best Life and Getting Grit, and teaches at Wharton Business School's Executive Education program. Her work has been featured in The New York Times, The Washington Post, BBC, NPR, and CNN.

Table of Contents

Foreword Gary Latham vii

Introduction ix

Part 1 Why Life Lists Matter 1

1 The Royal Road to Happiness and Success 3

2 What's All the Fuss about Happiness, Anyway? 18

3 How Happy Are You? 35

Part 2 Creating Your Best Possible Life List 59

4 Life-Changing Goals 61

5 Creating the List That Works for You 76

6 Willpower: Why You Must Say No Sometimes 96

7 Risks That Pay Off 113

8 The Company You Keep 130

9 Tattoos, License Plates, and Citrusy Scents 149

10 You Gotta Have Grit 174

Part 3 Personalizing Your Goals in Sixteen Life Spheres 187

11 Mission Statements and Morals 189

12 The Holy Grail of Happiness 196

13 Your Body, Mind, and Soul Goals 206

14 Live, Laugh, Love! 215

15 Can Money Buy Happiness? 227

16 The Surroundings That Shape You 238

Part 4 Savoring the Wins 247

17 Celebrating the Wins 249

18 Hitting Speed Bumps 265

Part 5 Life List Exercises and Worksheets 281

Notes 313

Resources 329

Acknowledgments 332

Index 334

Editorial Reviews

Life coach Miller collaborates with Frisch, a researcher and clinical psychologist, to create a fascinating book that connects the research on goal-setting with the new science of positive psychology. Turns out these two have a symbiotic relationship, for as Miller says, "[H]appiness requires having clear-cut goals in life that give us a sense of purpose and direction.... when we make progress toward attaining goals in one area of life, we raise our overall life satisfaction in other areas because of the 'spillover' effect." Each chapter focuses on ways to increase happiness and self-efficacy, and directs readers to a particular "life list" at the back of the book. These range from "100 Things to Do Before I Die" to a list of mood-boosters that bring "Jolts of Joy" or a "Web of Influence Map," where readers can chart how the closest people in their lives reflect their values; research indicates that rates of obesity and smoking are determined by who we socialize with. The authors share ingenious tips on reminders (cellphone ring tones, screen savers) that will help readers achieve long-term goals by suggestion. An excellent resource list rounds out the book. (Jan.)

Copyright © Reed Business Information, a division of Reed Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

Publishers Weekly

Instead of making New Year's resolutions, it may be more beneficial to assemble a goal-setting list. So believe positive psychologist/life coach Miller and clinical psychologist Frisch (Baylor Univ.), who have put together dozens of interactive exercises and assessments to guide readers in self-discovery and life-list creation. Whether or not readers follow through with every assignment, they will undoubtedly be inspired to think about goals and live more consciously and productively. Recommended for all libraries.

—Deborah Bigelow

Library Journal

Praise for Creating Your Best Life
 
“A classic in goal setting.” —Mehmet C. Oz, MD
 
“Caroline Miller brings together positive psychology research and hands-on exercises into a unique mix, a manual for defining one’s life goals and making strides toward achieving them." —Deepak Chopra
 
“This powerful book brings together the latest scientific research on goal setting and well-being and presents it in an engaging way anyone can follow to create a better life.”—James Pawelski, PhD, Director of Education and Senior Scholar, Positive Psychology Center, University of Pennsylvania

From the Publisher