Discover a menu of ten behaviors you can add to your way of living and thinking to enhance every day’s journey through the unpredictable terrain of your existence. Add these behaviors gradually and watch your life become steadily more vivid and satisfying. Or you can go on a “crash Joy Diet” to help you navigate life’s emergencies. The ten menu items are: • Nothing: Do nothing for fifteen minutes a day. Stop mindlessly chasing goals and figure out which goals are worth going after. • Truth: Create a moment of truth to help you unmask what you’re hiding—from others and from yourself. • Desire: Identify, articulate, and explore at least one of your heart’s desires—and learn how to let yourself want what you want. • Creativity: Learn six new ways to develop at least one new idea to help you obtain your heart’s desire. • Risk: Take one baby step toward reaching your goal. The only rule is it has to scare the pants off you. • Treats: Give yourself a treat for every risk you take and two treats just because you’re you. No exceptions. No excuses. • Play: Take a moment to remember your real life’s work and differentiate it from the games you play to achieve it. Then play wholeheartedly. • Laughter: Laugh at least thirty times a day. Props encouraged. • Connection: Use your Joy Diet skills to interact with someone who matters to you. • Feasting: Enjoy at least three square feasts a day, with or without food. No matter what your long-term goals are, The Joy Diet, written with Martha Beck’s inimitable blend of wisdom, practical guidance, and humor, will help you achieve the immediate gift of joyful living in the here and now. Begin your journey today.
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"This book gives a daily prescription of the keys to a happy life. I like the candor of the author, her best and worse moments are intermingled with easy to follow steps for a fuller life. The best part of the book for me was realizing that I knew and did some of the 10 things already. It motivated me to continue reading and learning. This is a keeper!"
— Trina (4 out of 5 stars)
" Perhaps I've had my fill of self help books because I felt there was nothing new here. Clever title. "
— Linda, 2/16/2014" If I only feasted more! "
— Margaret, 2/15/2014" Really enjoyed this book, and took the time to digest it slowly over 6 months puting it's tips to practice. Well worth the effort and I've grown tremendously from the journey! Martha's humor was a delightful treat to endure throughout the read. "
— Lisa, 2/10/2014" Liked the book and found the daily practices helpful! After reading Expecting Adam and laughing so hard, I decided I wanted to get better acquainted with the author. So, I've been on a "read Martha" trek! "
— Dorlene, 1/27/2014" So many good reminders in this book! "
— Manda, 1/25/2014" Love, Love, Love this book!!!!!! "
— Gina, 1/18/2014" I did become more aware of the lack of joy in my life and the need for silence. Other than that, I don' understand the hype. "
— Ed, 1/18/2014" Great book ... lots of meat to chew on in terms of personal growth! "
— Karen, 12/30/2013" I love everything Martha Beck has to say. And after reading this book for the third time, I finally took up my own version of meditation (on the bus!) which seems to be helping reduce my stress level. Thanks Martha! "
— Slt, 12/14/2013" Not a diet book, but a book on how to add more joy to your life. It had some good ideas and good reminders in it. "
— Susan, 12/10/2013" The Joy Diet to me is ground breaking material for a new mindset. I've read it through once, and I'm revisiting chapters again to refresh my memory and absorb the process a bit more. "
— Dawn, 12/2/2013" Just finished this one on the way into work today. I'm sure it would be more effective to have the actual book but I did like the audio and it makes a lot of sense! Now if only I could stay on track with being positive! "
— Robin, 11/29/2013" good points. just have to actually practice them. "
— Becky, 11/19/2013" There are several concepts on this Joy Diet that I still use on a regular basis. "
— Jamie, 10/14/2013" Love all things Beck! This is the best of the best. "
— Heather, 8/17/2013" A great companion to The Four Day Win by Martha Beck but if I had to choose one it would be the latter. "
— Caryl, 8/10/2013" Martha is full of wit and wisdom - always a pleasure (a hoot or two!) "
— Terrie, 4/2/2013" I can't even bring myself to finish it! I am so disappointed in this book! "
— Dawnmarie, 2/1/2013" I really enjoyed this book! One minute i was laughing at her snarky comments & the next minute i was getting teary- eyed over a sweet insight into human relationships. I wish the author hadn't left the lds church...she's thiiis close to the complete truth about our true nature. "
— Lori, 10/14/2012" This was totally helpful to me. I'm on a constant kick for self-improvement, and this suggested a bigger picture approach to all that. She's so reasonable and human, it's hard not to respond to her approach. "
— Mary, 8/15/2012" I enjoy Martha Beck, and am never disappointed. Wise and witty and full of life experiences that she is always willing to share. This book holds many gems to help those who seek to better understand themselves. "
— Linda, 7/26/2012" Totally awesome book-- I listened to the audiobook and I felt like it made such a difference in my life and my outlook overall. I listened to the audio on my way to work and I noticed a big difference in how I'd handle stress and other work issues. "
— Casey, 7/23/2012" I highly recommend this book/CD. Martha Beck includes some very clear and sound ideas to create a life of joy. You can use these 10 steps for the rest of your life. "
— Laurie, 7/3/2012" The title is misleading, but the book is eminently readable, useable and interesting. I love Martha's sense of humor and everyday language style. It's like having personal sessions with your favorite life coach! "
— Royale, 12/14/2011" I enjoyed the key concepts. "
— Kerstin, 11/13/2011" upbeat, practical, not-preachy self-help book... I loved it! "
— Marianne, 9/2/2011" Perhaps I've had my fill of self help books because I felt there was nothing new here. Clever title. "
— Linda, 2/26/2011" Love all things Beck! This is the best of the best. "
— H.s., 10/30/2010" Smart, perceptive, and genuinely useful. "
— Stephanie, 11/1/2009" good points. just have to actually practice them. "
— Becky, 7/16/2009" Martha is full of wit and wisdom - always a pleasure (a hoot or two!) "
— Terrie, 5/1/2009" This was totally helpful to me. I'm on a constant kick for self-improvement, and this suggested a bigger picture approach to all that. She's so reasonable and human, it's hard not to respond to her approach. "
— Mary, 2/9/2009" The perfect traveling companion for how to make sure you have a daily dose of joy when you're doing the hard work of remaking your life. "
— Betsy, 2/7/2009Martha Beck is a writer and life coach who specializes in helping people design satisfying and meaningful life experiences. She holds a bachelor’s degree in East Asian Studies and a master’s degree and doctorate in sociology, all from Harvard. She is currently a monthly columnist for O, The Oprah Magazine and the author of the bestsellers Finding Your Own North Star: Claiming the Life You Were Meant to Live and the memoir Expecting Adam. She lives in Phoenix, Arizona.
Kathe Mazur has narrated many audiobooks, winning the prestigious Audie Award for best narration in 2014, being named a finalist for the Audie Award in 2013 and 2015, and winning several AudioFile Earphones Awards. As an actress, she can be seen as DDA Hobbs on The Closer and in the upcoming Major Crimes. She has worked extensively in film, theater, and television, including appearances on Grey’s Anatomy, Private Practice, House, Brothers and Sisters, Criminal Minds: Suspect Behavior, ER, Monk, and many others.