"We have to shore this thing up like a New Orleans levy." -- Richard Carlson
Richard Carlson Ph.D. (May 16, 1961 – December 13, 2006) was an American author, psychotherapist, and motivational speaker, who rose to fame with the success of his book, Don’t Sweat the Small Stuffand it’s all Small Stuff (1997), which became one of the fastest-selling books of all time and made publishing history as USA Todays bestselling book for two consecutive years . It also spent over 101 weeks on the New York Times Best Seller list, and was published in 135 countries, and translated into Latvian, Polish, Icelandic, Serbian and 26 other languages; thereafter Carlson went on to write 20 books.
"Circumstances don't make a person; they reveal him or her.""It seems that we have it backward in our society. We tend to look up to people who are under a great deal of stress, who can handle loads of stress, and those who are under a great deal of pressure.""No one knows exactly where thought comes from, but it can be said that thought comes from the same place as whatever it is that beats our heart... it comes from being alive.""Stress is nothing more than a socially acceptable form of mental illness.""The ill effects of thought come about when we forget that thought is a function of our consciousness... an ability that we as human beings have. We are the producers of our own thinking.""The trick is to be grateful when your mood is high and graceful when it is low.""When you let someone else win an argument, often you both end up winners."
Carlson was born and raised in Piedmont, California in East San Francisco Bay Area. He was an avid tennis player. He was the top ranked junior in Northern California in 1979.He received his bachelor's degree from Pepperdine University in Malibu, California, where he met and married Kristine Anderson (Kris Carlson) in 1981. He later received his doctorate (Ph. D.) in psychology from Sierra University in Costa Mesa, California.
Carlson started his career as a psychotherapist and ran a stress management centre, and published his first book in 1985, but became famous when his 12th book, Don’t Sweat the Small Stuffand it’s all Small Stuff became a best seller. "Don't Sweat the Small Stuff" topped the bestseller lists for two years. People magazine named Dick Carlson as one of that publication's "Most Intriguing People in the World." He was popular on the talk-show circuit. Meanwhile he also appeared in Don't Sweat the Small Stuff... and It's All Small Stuff, TV Special, and soon took up writing full-time.
He wrote many follow-up books to this success, including Slowing Down to the Speed of Life (co-authored with Joe Bailey) in 1997, one co-authored by his wife, Don't Sweat The Small Stuff in Love (2000), and What About the Big Stuff (2002).
Carlson died on December 13, 2006, of a pulmonary embolism during a flight from San Francisco to New York, while on a promotion tour for his book Don’t Get Scrooged: How to Thrive in a World Full of Obnoxious, Incompetent, Arrogant and Downright Mean-Spirited People (2006). He was survived by his wife, Kristine Carlson, and their two teenage daughters, Jasmine and Kenna; two sisters, Kathleen Carlson Mowris of Olympic Village, California and Anna Carlson of La Selva Beach, California.; and his parents, Barbara and Don Carlson of Orinda, California.
You Can Feel Good Again: Common-Sense Therapy for Releasing Depression and Changing Your Life, Published by Penguin Group (USA) Incorporated, 1994. ISBN 0452272424.
Don't Sweat the Small Stuff...and It's All Small Stuff: Simple Ways to Keep the Little Things from Taking Over Your Life. Published by Hyperion, 1997. ISBN 0786881852.
You Can Be Happy No Matter What: Five Principles Your Therapist Never Told You, Contributor Dr. Wayne Dyer. Published by New World Library, 1997. ISBN 1577310640.
Slowing Down to the Speed of Life: How to Create a More Peaceful, Simpler Life from the Inside Out, with Joseph Bailey. Published by Harper Collins, 1998. ISBN 0062514547.
Don't Sweat the Small Stuff with Your Family: Simple Ways to Keep Daily Responsibilities and Household Chaos from Taking Over Your Life, Published by Hyperion, 1998. ISBN 0786883375.
A Don't Sweat the Small Stuff Treasury: A Special Selection for Teachers, Published by Hyperion, 1999. ISBN 0786865768.
Don't Sweat the Small Stuff at Work: Simple Ways to Minimize Stress and Conflict While Bringing Out the Best in Yourself and Others, Published by Hyperion, 1999. ISBN 0786883367.
Don't Sweat the Small Stuff Teens: Simple Ways to Keep Your Cool in Stressful Times, Published by Tandem Library, 2000. ISBN 0613311353.
Don't Sweat the Small Stuff in Love: Simple Ways to Nurture and Strengthen Your Relationships While Avoiding the Habits That Break Down Your Loving Connection, with Kristine Carlson. Published by Hyperion Books, 2000. ISBN 0786884207.
The Don't Sweat Guide for Parents: Reduce Stress and Enjoy Your Kids More, Don't Sweat Press, Publisher, Don't Sweat Press, Published by Hyperion, 2001. ISBN 0786887184.
Don't Sweat the Small Stuff for Men: Simple Ways to Minimize Stress in a Competitive World, Published by Hyperion, 2001. ISBN 0786886366.
Don't Sweat the Small Stuff for Women: Simple and Practical Ways to Do What Matters Most and Find Time for You, with Kristine Carlson, Published by Hyperion, 2001, ISBN 0786886021.
The Don't Sweat Guide for Moms: Being More Relaxed and Peaceful So Your Kids Are, Too, with Don't Sweat Press, Kristine Carlson. Published by Hyperion, 2002. ISBN 0786887273.
The Don't Sweat Guide for Graduates: Facing New Challenges with Confidence, Don't Sweat Press. Published by Hyperion, 2002. ISBN 0786887257.
What About the Big Stuff?: Finding Strength and Moving Forward When the Stakes Are High. Published by Hyperion Books, 2003. ISBN 0786888806.
The Don't Sweat Guide for Teachers: Cutting Through the Clutter So That Every Day Counts, Don't Sweat Press, Published by Hyperion, 2003. ISBN 0786890533.
The Don't Sweat Guide for Dads: Stopping Stress from Getting in the Way of What Really Matters, Published by Hyperion, 2003. ISBN 0786887249.
The Don't Sweat Guide to Your Job Search: Finding a Career You Really Love, by Editors of Don't Sweat Press, Richard Carlson, Published by Hyperion, 2004. ISBN 1401307604.
Don't Get Scrooged: How to Thrive in a World Full of Obnoxious, Incompetent, Arrogant, and Downright Mean-spirited People, Published by HarperCollins, 2006. ISBN 0060758929.
You Can Be Happy No Matter What: Five Principles for Keeping Life in Perspective, Contributor Dr. Wayne Dyer. Published by New World Library, 2006. ISBN 1577315685.
An Hour to Live, an Hour to Love: The True Story of the Best Gift Ever Given, with Kristine Carlson. Hyperion 2007. ISBN 1401322573.
Focus on the Good Stuff: The Power of Appreciation, by Mike Robbins, Richard Carlson. Published by Wiley Default, 2007. ISBN 0787988790.
