Eifert Georg H. - Your life on purpose: how to find what matters and create the life you want

Matthew McKay, Ph.D., is a professor at the Wright Institute in Berkeley, CA. He has authored and coauthored numerous books, including The Relaxation and Stress Reduction Workbook, Self-Esteem, Thoughts and Feelings, When Anger Hurts, and ACT on Life Not on Anger. His books have sold over three million copies. In private practice, he specializes in the cognitive behavioral treatment of anxiety and depression.

John P. Forsyth, Ph.D., is a scientist, writer, professor of psychology, and director of the Anxiety Disorders Research Program at the University at Albany, SUNY. He is an internationally recognized leader in the growth of newer acceptance and mindfulness-based behavior therapies and has won numerous awards for his research and teaching. Forsyth is author of several popular books, including The Mindfulness and Acceptance Workbook for Anxiety and ACT on Life Not on Anger, and travels widely giving talks and trainings to those interested in learning how to move with the inevitable pains of life and do what matters to them.

Georg H. Eifert, Ph.D., is a psychology professor and Associate Dean of Health and Life Sciences at Chapman University in Orange County, CA. He was ranked as one of the top thirty researchers in behavior analysis and therapy and has authored over one hundred publications on psychological causes and treatments of emotional suffering. He is a clinical fellow of the Behavior Therapy and Research Society and a licensed clinical psychologist. He is author of numerous books, including The Mindfulness and Acceptance Workbook for Anxiety.

This book is magical and a joy to read. It is so much more than just another acceptance and commitment therapy (ACT) book. It is really a treasure map for discovering how to live a purposeful life according to your values. Lots of books talk about values and how they can serve as a compass that helps you chart your purposeful life, but few actually show you how to lead a values-driven life. This book does two things better than most of the other ACT books Ive read. In a gentle, respectful way, it demonstrates, through case studies of real people just like you, how to use ACT principles and practices to find your purpose in life. It also teaches you how to find the courage to take your self-doubts, fears, and worries along for the journey as you engage in behaviors that lead you towards your values and purpose. If you read one book on ACT this year, make it this one. You wont regret it.

Richard Blonna, Ed.D., author of Stress Less, Live More

Publishers Note

This publication is designed to provide accurate and authoritative information in regard to the subject matter covered. It is sold with the understanding that the publisher is not engaged in rendering psychological, financial, legal, or other professional services. If expert assistance or counseling is needed, the services of a competent professional should be sought.

Distributed in Canada by Raincoast Books

Copyright 2010 by Matthew McKay, John P. Forsyth, and Georg H. Eifert

New Harbinger Publications, Inc.

5674 Shattuck Avenue

Oakland, CA 94609

www.newharbinger.com

All Rights Reserved

Printed in the United States of America

Acquired by Catharine Sutker; Cover design by Amy Shoup; Text design by Michele Waters-Kermes; Edited by Jasmine Star

ISBN 978-1-60882-142-6 (epub ebook)

Library of Congress Cataloging-in-Publication Data

McKay, Matthew.

Your life on purpose : how to find what matters and create the life you want / Matthew McKay, John P. Forsyth, and Georg H. Eifert.

p. cm.

ISBN 978-1-57224-905-9 (printed book) -- ISBN 978-1-57224-907-3 (pdf ebook)

1. Self-realization. 2. Acceptance and commitment therapy. 3. Conduct of life. I. Forsyth, John P. II. Eifert, Georg H., 1952- III. Title.

BF637.S4M26 2010

170.44--dc22

2010028473

For Jordan. Ill see you, sweet boy.

MM

For my kids, Claire, Aidan, and Maggie, and all the children in this world who dream of a better tomorrow. You are the new day. Make it shine. Everything you do, everything youve been given, has a purpose. You have a purpose too. Make your life be about something greater than yourself. Give it your all. Leave no regrets. Defend your values tenaciously and share easily. Be willing to make mistakes. Be generous with your time. And live every moment as if it were your last. Above all, cherish the bonds you have and those you create. For in those bonds, you will find your enduring legacya legacy built on your unlimited capacity to share faith, love, kindness, and compassion.

JPF

This is for my sons, Daniel and Leonardo. For your own sake, I hope you wont waste your lives and opportunities by being idle or by chasing meaningless tokens or feeling good without engaging in purpose-driven action. Instead, listen to your heart and listen carefully. Then follow your dreams and be persistent. Use what youve got and give it your very best shot. Glimpses of happiness and feelings of contentment will follow from the pursuit of your dreams, and without ever having to chase those feelings. Even when youre young, your time on this planet is limiteduse it wisely, so that in the end you can say, No regrets.

GHE