Does Your Life Need a Laxative?: Dr. Fred's Practical Prescriptions for Happiness

In the world of patronizing self-help books that self-aggrandize while they try to impose a new world view on their readers, Fred Broder decided to take a different approach.

Broder, author of Does Your Life Need a Laxative?: Dr. Fred's Practical Prescriptions for Happiness, from New Outlook Press (www.fredbroder.com), wrote his book as if you were having a one-on-one chat over coffee with the author.

In his easy-to-read, down-to-earth style, Broder provided a practical approach to attaining the life you want. In each chapter, Broder's witty anecdotes and analogies advised the reader to realistically take stock of his/her life and take action to improve it. Whether you are in your teens or your golden years, the book provides insights that you can apply now.

"We often treat each day of our life as if we are a prisoner in a penitentiary who marks off each day on the calendar wall of his cell as he counts down the conclusion of his sentence," said Broder. "Life should not be viewed or treated as a prison sentence."

Broder's compelling way of looking at life and achieving what you want can be applied to any aspect of life, whether professional or personal. Each 5-6 page chapter, with such intriguing titles as, "Life Is a Garage Sale," "You're Never Too Old for Your ‘Blankie', and the follow up prescriptions prepare you to positively act to improve some aspect of your life."

Broder contends that we tend to be too conservative and play it safe by riding the "merry-go-round of life." We seek to survive instead of thriving, and we stay in our comfort zones. We wait for tomorrow instead of acting today. Life is supposed to be a series of ups and downs. It is imperative to take risks. Broder urges us to stop coasting, get off the merry-go-round and ride the roller coaster.

"If you want to pursue a goal that requires risk, sustained intensity and commitment, passion, zeal or creativity, then the merry-go-round is not the ticket to buy," said Broder. "In such instances, you should walk around the Amusement Park of Life and find a roller coaster, Tilt-A-Whirl, Scream Machine or the like."

Running through life at the speed of light can cause difficulties as well. It is imperative to take the time to reflect and evaluate in order to make course corrections. Broder used the example of a stage performer spinning plates, running from one to another trying to keep them all spinning. He advised prioritizing which plates need attention and concentrating on those.

"Understandably, you feel that each plate is important and must be kept ‘spinning'," said Broder. "Thus you run from activity to activity trying to keep all your plates spinning and desperately trying to prevent any one of them from crashing down around you. The more things you undertake, the harder you run. You are petrified of being perceived or accused of neglecting any of your plates. Over time, you begin to feel more acutely both the physical and emotional stress and strain of performing this act."

Know what your physical, emotional and time limitations are and what your overload warning signs are and act on what needs to be done in the here and now. Broder likened this to the dashboard on a car. When your car needs maintenance, it lets you know with a flashing light on the dashboard. Our lives have a dashboard as well, according to Broder. We just need to pay attention to the flashing lights.
Look at the warning signs in your life, personal or professional and adjust your actions accordingly with the same urgency and responsiveness as you would your car's dashboard flashing light is the way to go.

"There are lights blinking at work, in your personal relationships, in social relationships and in your body, all alerting you to potential problems, dangers and breakdowns," said Broder. "Unfortunately you are too often either oblivious to these ‘warning lights' in your life or you choose to ignore them, and thus you get yourself into unnecessary trouble."

It is up to you to make your life what you want it to be and he gives you the confidence and insight to do so.

"Depend on your own inner strength, and be sure to enjoy each moment, each relationship, each experience and each opportunity," said Broder. "Every day you are writing your eulogy. Make sure you will be remembered the way you would like."

Rachel Friedman is a Staff Writer at News & Experts.