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Focusing on self-responsibility, this book examines a variety of topics, including anger management, self-talk, breathing, assertiveness training, bullying, feeling sorry for oneself, volunteering/contributing, nutrition, exercise, and addiction. The book consists of twenty-six chapters and examines how one becomes a victim, children's growth and development, and how we often look to other people and situations to blame while refusing to take responsibility for ourselves.
The text focuses on two categories of taking control: Category 1 includes problems that can be controlled, and Category 2 includes problems outside of an individual's control, which are handled differently. Category 1 issues involve thinking like a stop sign to stop negative thinking, problem-solving, letting go of perfectionism, and practicing positive self-talk, as well as healthy decision-making. Category 2 problems are acts outside a person's control and involve using muscle relaxation and breathing techniques, refuting irrational thoughts, assertiveness training, and volunteering.
The text is thorough, well-written, and full of valuable information. Besides the above techniques, the author, who has been a licensed psychologist for forty years, notes the value of nutrition, exercise, getting enough sleep, and being organized, along with thinking before communicating. The book could have been organized more effectively, though the information is still clear and concise. The appendix is a self-analysis questionnaire, the DASS-21, which is a twenty-one-question test on depression, anxiety, and stress. This is a helpful addition to the book that many will likely find useful. Readers may find that the text has an interesting take on victimhood vs. self-responsibility.