Focus on the Good Stuff: The Power of Appreciation

236 Pages·2007·5.51 MB·English

by  Mike Robbins, Richard Carlson

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focus
on the
good stuff
The Power
of Appreciation
Mike Robbins
Foreword by Richard Carlson
John Wiley & Sons
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MORE PRAISE FOR
Focus on the Good Stuff
“Mike Robbins brilliantly teaches us how to bring more ap-
preciation and gratitude into our lives, our relationships,
and our world. His new voice and fresh perspective are
powerful.I highly recommend this book.”
Marianne Williamson,author,A Return to Love
“Mike Robbins’ work calls forth the angels of our better
nature.I have worked with many in the last year of their
life, and it is precisely these remarkable qualities of ap-
preciation and gratitude that leave people and their loved
ones with a sense of kindness and clarity of heart. Mike
has offered us a great gift.”
Stephen Levine,author,A Year to Live:
How to Live This Year as If It Were Your Last
“Mike Robbins understands how the universe truly works.
Focus on the Good Stuff is a brilliant book that will inspire and
uplift you.You will discover how to bring more gratitude
into your life with ease and grace.”
Lynne Twist,author,The Soul of Moneyand cofounder
of the Pachamama Alliance
“Mike Robbins has an amazing ability to inspire people
through his passionate, authentic, and open-hearted ap-
proach to appreciation.This book will have a positive im-
pact on your life.”
Rich Fettke,author,Extreme Success
“Mike Robbins reminds us to focus on the very best as-
pects of ourselves and those around us.Written in his
compelling and compassionate voice,this book is much-
needed consciousness raising for people who want suc-
cessful relationships and fulfilling lives.”
Susan Page,author,Why Talking Is Not Enough
http://avaxhome.ws/blogs/ChrisRedfield
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“Mike Robbins is a role model of love and gratitude.His
message of appreciation comes from his heart,and there
is no one better to teach these important lessons!”
Rich Dutra-St.John,cofounder ofChallenge Day
and coauthor,Be the Hero You’ve Been Waiting For
“Focus on the Good Stuff is a remarkable book.Appreciation,
as Mike Robbins teaches,can transform your life and help
you attract what you truly want.”
Christopher Andersonn,author,Will You Still Love Me
If I Don’t Win?
“Mike Robbins’message of appreciation is powerful.He
writes and speaks directly from his heart in a way that
makes a real difference.This is a truly transformational
book that will change lives.”
Lee Glickstein,author,Be Heard Now!and
founder of Speaking Circles International
“Focus on the Good Stuff reveals the secret of bringing more
gratitude into your life without resorting to simpering
sentiment,sappy prose,or dithering diatribe.Mike Rob-
bins brings a fresh and uplifting approach to the age-old
task of learning to love life.”
Lisa Earle McLeod,syndicated columnist
and coauthor,Forget Perfect
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focus
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focus
on the
good stuff
The Power
of Appreciation
Mike Robbins
Foreword by Richard Carlson
John Wiley & Sons
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Copyright © 2007 by John Wiley & Sons,Inc.All rights reserved.
Published by Jossey-Bass
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Quote in Chapter Seven from A Return to Loveby Marianne Williamson.Copyright
© 1992 by Marianne Williamson.Reprinted by permission of HarperCollins
Publishers.Portions reprinted from A Course in Miracles.Copyright © 1975 by
Foundation for Inner Peace,Inc.All chapter openings are from A Course in Miracles.
Library of Congress Cataloging-in-Publication Data
Robbins,Mike,date.
Focus on the good stuff :the power of appreciation / Mike Robbins ;foreword
by Richard Carlson.
p. cm.
Includes bibliographical references.
ISBN 978-0-7879-8879-1 (cloth)
1.Gratitude I.Title.
BF575.G68R63 2007
158—dc22 2007007874
Printed in the United States of America
FIRST EDITION
HB Printing 10 9 8 7 6 5 4 3 2 1
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contents
Foreword by Richard Carlson vii
Acknowledgments xiii
Introduction 1
Part One
Our Obsession with Bad Stuff 19
1 What’s Wrong out There? 21
2 What’s Wrong with Me? 49
Part Two
The Five Principles of Appreciation 73
3 PRINCIPLE 1: Be Grateful 75
4 PRINCIPLE 2: Choose Positive Thoughts
and Feelings 95
5 PRINCIPLE 3: Use Positive Words 117
6 PRINCIPLE 4:Acknowledge Others 139
7 PRINCIPLE 5:Appreciate Yourself 169
v
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vi
CONTENTS
Part Three
Appreciation in Action 193
8 It’s Not What We Know,but What We Do
That Matters 195
Resources 207
About the Author 211