Do the Work: The Official Unrepentant, Ass-Kicking, No-Kidding, Change-Your-Life Sidekick to Unfu*k Yourself (Unfu*k Yourself series)

There's nothing really new on this CD or in any of the Gary John Bishop's other works but the author puts it in terms for these times and there are different voices for different audiences. Gary John Bishop is an entertaining lively personality and basically he reminds us that we are responsible for ourselves and the quality of our lives. It's the same message from the Buddha and other philosophers though time that we have a choice and are responsible for the quality of our existence no matter what our circumstances are. Nothing overly deep here but deep enough so you get the message. I enjoy Bishop's talks even if I already know what he's saying. It's a reminder not to point fingers but to make the best of what you've got. He makes me laugh with recognition at some of the games we play with ourselves and others. He might come off a cheeky but it's all in fun. Eckhart Tolle brings forward the same message in a different gentler, sometimes humorous way. Alan Watts is another personality and speaker who will remind you of who you really are as well. Enjoy.

I bought this workbook to go with my audible. It's thought provoking and moves you forward. It's laid out so that you can take your time in each section and go back anytime and reset your frame of mind. It also feels like a "mastermind" between you and Gary John Bishop. He's got a way of talking to you that pushes you to act and stop wishing or planning. If your stuck, read all his books and get the workbook. It's like having a big brother shaking you out of your own nonsense by figuratively slapping you upside the head! Thank you, Gary, for your no nonsense approach in guiding people out of their own heads and taking action!

Had the "happy accident" of reading both this & his first book while delayed at the airport, and despite being predisposed to scoff at the very idea that anything can "help" in this vale of tears, I actually really appreciated what Bishop had to say. In fact, I liked this workbook MORE than his original best-seller, bc that one was too full of elementary concepts (like perception isn't fact, & not everyone is entitled to your bad mood). But criticizing Bishop for not applying the kind of intellectual rigor to his subject matter as the authors he quotes is going for the low-hanging fruit. If everyone read those authors [Aristotle; Seneca (a lot); Marcus Aurelius; Heidegger] we wouldn't need books like this. But given Bishop's sales, apparently we do.

So, I am not bemoaning its relative superficiality, bc that is not a bug; it's a feature. I commend Bishop (like Stoics in general) for exhorting us to stop bs'ing ourselves & force us to "own our own crap." I think this is excellent advice, as is their fundamental insight that we have exactly the life we choose to tolerate. The reason I don't give it the full 5 stars is because while that kind of straight-between-the-eyes hard love is very much my style, and actually works for some individuals, the vast majority of people are "stuck" because they CAN'T just "stop doing it." This obviously applies to addictions; unhappy marriages w/small children; high-paying toxic careers when the money is required to support several generations; as well as to subtle psychological traits & states of mind. It is REALLY REALLY HARD to "just quit heroin." If you happen to fall within the ever-broadening standards of what is "socially accepted" (or credibly deniable), good for you, but for most people genuinely struggling w/ hardcore problems, "Just Stop" sounds infuriatingly insensitive, uncomprehending, and most importantly -- Not Helpful. Which, I respectfully remind Bishop, a "self-help" book is allegedly supposed to be.

The beginning was great until I got to the relationship portion. It tries to get you to reconcile with the relationships in your life by claiming you're being judgemental and aren't accepting of people if you don't.

The author fails to take into account anyone who's ever been abused. There is nothing in this world that will make me reconcile, forgive, or have any positive relationship with my abusers aka my parents.

I understand this works for people who disagree on smaller things or don't like people for no reason. But when someone abused you for years and continues to do so, there's just no saving that relationship. No matter how hard I try, they will always be toxic and there's no room for toxicity b in my life.