Life by Design: 52 Lists, Questions, and Inspirations for Finding Your Happiness Paperback – September 19, 2017

This is the only book you need to plot your future. This workbook is a clear, concise way to hone in on what makes you happy. Since reading this, I've brought balance, peace, and most of all, happiness to my life. I woke up one day and realized that my life had become an endless progression of stitched-together days of drudgery. I woke up, worked, took care of household responsibilities, and fell asleep exhausted only to wake up and begin again.Life by Design walks you through, in a very non-cheesy manner (I'm sensitive to fromage in self help books), how to make small but noticeable changes that lead you to being efficient, effective, and to realize that time is finite. This has helped me put down my the devices, get off of Facebook (because this may not come as a newsflash, but you don't really NEED to see what your friends have prepared for dinner).Its been a several months since I read this, and I carry it around with me. My life changes have been small but profound. I'm on a 110 day meditation streak, I've also done yoga and worked out each day. Granted, on some days, its only 10 minutes that I spend on each of these activities, but I'm definitely in the flow, and its become a habit. I also spend more quality time with my kids and pets, and spend more time in nature, appreciating it.I have backed away from some work responsibilities that suck, and have engaged more in things that fuel my passions. I took up piano lessons and am taking a wheelworks class. Honestly, this sounds like some funny McSweenys article, but its true. I also sleep much better and for longer. I spend more time with my friends, and cancel on them less, citing work and exhaustion.People notice that I am more peaceful and calm, and remark on my outward increase in happiness. And though I joke and attribute it to meditating, its this book all the way.In fact, I bought ten to give out as gifts to friends. Because it really is the gift of more time, and more happiness.

In short, A great balance of self-reflection and action plan, condensed into an easy-to-read format. Ssave yourself a lot of time, money, and headaches and get this book.Wherever you're at in life, this book is sure to improve your perspective and daily life. As someone with a large self-help library, I was impressed that Hersey manages to distill so much information into a digestible format. These exercises help you examine life and reevaluate your priorities in a systematic way. Hersey leads you through four phases of life design (research, strategy, development, and production) and gets through material in 120 pages what most authors take multiple BOOKS to do!Hersey's writing is excellent, and I love her style. But clearly her strength is on elucidating exercises that shift your perspective on their own. The focus here is on exercises; accompanying text is concise and direct. No mincing of words. Rather than pumping you up with meaningless motivation (like many self-help books), the focus here is on doing. Exercises run the gambit from examining "worst" failures to most important values, activities that recharge you, communities that can help, and more. Hersey has a consistent focus on action. After asking you to list your financial goals, for example, she immediately prompts you to list actions you can take immediately to reach those goals. These prompts leave the reader with a clear action plan.Couldn't recommend highly enough! Still reviewing my notes after working through the exercises a few weeks ago.

This book has amazing, fun, and interactive questions that take on a variety of forms (ex: some are standard lists, others are a circle and discuss, etc.) This book honestly helped me shape my goals for 2019 and I achieved many of them, along with thinking about my personality, my friendships, connections with my family, what I spend time doing, etc. etc. I'm repurchasing this so I can redo it for 2020 now that my life is in a completely different direction. It's that fun. It's that good.

Pretty simple paper back, but nice and easy to work in. However for me personally the sequence of topics does not seem logical, but that did not influence my review, since it is based on my personal situation.

This book is a great gift for anyone, and most especially for yourself. It’s pretty, encourages creativity, and is thought provoking but in no way overwhelming. It’s the perfect size to carry around in your handbag.

This is the real thing. I have 6 guided journals. This is the best at help for assessing all areas of your life and focusing you for the future. Isn’t that what journaling is for? Small 5 x 7 soft cover format makes it easily portable. Lite pastels and quotes spark interest. Reasonable prompts and checklists keep you on track

Lots of color and a lot of great questions. It didn’t work for me because I was getting more sad thinking about all the hardships in my past, with answering questions about my childhood. At another phase in my life I think this book could be very helpful.

This is a great journal for self discovery and self Improvement. I love the questions and prompts. Would reccomend. Like a life coach in a book for less than $15!!!