Stop Avoiding Stuff: 25 Microskills to Face Your Fears and Do It Anyway

Social worker Boone (Mindfulness and Acceptance in Social Work), and psychologists Gregg (Diabetes Lifestyle Book) and Coyne (Stuff That’s Loud), share in this informative work lessons on how to face fear and forge ahead. Each chapter is based on a “microskill,” which the authors define as a way of relating to thoughts, feelings, and circumstances. For example, “Deepening Awareness” means paying attention to internal and external feelings, and “Notice Your Thinking” focuses on one’s ability to understand the process of how one comes to thoughts rather than the thoughts themselves. The authors recommend readers “Let Go of Being Right” by releasing the urge to always “win” in discussions or argument with others, and to determine and live out one’s values by “Making Values a Verb.” Brief exercises (termed “teeny tiny practices”) help readers implement the skills and include writing flow charts for one’s thought process and creating a map of all things one wishes to control. Each lesson can be read on its own, making the volume ideal for dipping in and out of. This delightful, information-packed guide will appeal to self-help readers of all types. (Nov.)