Live the Life You Love: In Ten Easy Step-by-Step Lessons

#157
Title: Live the Life You Love: In Ten Easy Step-by-Step Lessons
Author: Barbara Sher
Publisher: Dell
Year: 1996
251 pages

Self-help books are often tricky to evaluate. They may make sweeping assertions and untenable promises. They are a good match for some people and not for others. Live the Life You Love: In Ten Easy Step-by-Step Lessons was not a book I chose, but one that colleagues picked for a course I sometimes teach. As a textbook for an undergraduate life transitions course, it's not bad. At times Sher overstates and overgeneralizes; at times her activity instructions are convoluted and make unwarranted assumptions about the reader. However, the book is an excellent fit for many of my students, given their developmental choice to take this class at this time.

Sher is easy to read but sometimes confusing. A better editor would have helped. As activities go, these strike a good balance between self-exploration and external connections and resources.

Were you to read this (or any self-help book), I'd tell you what I tell my students: Treat your disagreements with Sher as an activity and write her a letter with your notes for improvement. Your commitment is that if you suggest an improvement or alternative, you then have to do try it.