Ugh.

By M Ruth

Why is this book titled “Ugh”? It’s a feeling that people have. It’s the feeling that drives change. When you wake up in the morning and you think “Ugh”, then the steps and exercises written out here are for you. If you text your friends or loved ones “Ugh” on a regular basis, you understand what needs to happen – the problem is you don’t always know how.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Lulu.com
• Release date: Jul 19, 2018
• ISBN: 9781387958146

Book preview

Ugh.

Ugh.

By M. Ruth

Dedicated to my wife, who still doesn’t know where her keys are.

An Introduction.

Why is this book titled Ugh? It’s a feeling that people have. It’s the feeling that drives change. When you wake up in the morning and you think Ugh, then the steps and exercises written out here are for you. If you text your friends or loved ones Ugh on a regular basis, you understand what needs to happen – the problem is you don’t always know how.

I want to start with quite a few very important points. The first is that I’m not a Psychologist, or Psychiatrist, or Sociologist (though I did take 1 class in college and got a… grade,) or any other ist related to people or mental health. The second part, is there will be a lot of sarcasm dripping throughout this guide (for those of you unfamiliar, just skip anything in parentheses.) Last, and most importantly, I think this guide is just that, a guide. It can work for some or all of you – partially or holistically. I assure you I take no offense if you think it’s bogus (and if you do think it’s bogus, why are you reading self-help books to begin with???)

Now that we have all that out of the way, I should probably give you a little background on the author. I am first and foremost the laziest person you’ll have met, and I’ve accomplished a lot given that. I have a Master’s Degree from Columbia University with a focus on Knowledge Management, an MBA with a focus on Marketing from Drexel University, as well as a Bachelor’s Degree in Architecture (Buildings not Computers). I’ve worked at multiple Fortune 500 companies and really focus on Process Improvement. I also have the worst dog in world, a Basset Hound named Charlie, and the best wife in the world, a regular girl named Beth (one of them listens to me often and the other doesn’t.) It’s also important to know that I’m originally an East-coaster having spent 15 years in Philadelphia, but now I’m a desert-dweller in Phoenix, AZ. What’s important about all of this? Context. I’ve made changes in my life. I’ve made commitments. I’m completed things that I’ve set out to complete. All of this is important if I expect you to take note of what I lay out here.

Now that we have that out of the way – what does this cover and why? If you’re reading this, you’re probably characterized as Type A or Super-Type A (the latter is a term I’m certain I invented, by adding super to something well established.) So a quick definition from Wikipedia is as follows:

The types

Type A

The theory describes Type A individuals as rude, ambitious, rigidly organized, highly status-conscious, sensitive, impatient, anxious, proactive, and concerned with time management. People with Type A personalities are often high-achieving workaholics.

Type B

The theory describes Type B individuals as a contrast to those of Type A. Type B personality, by definition, are noted to live at lower stress levels. They typically work steadily, and may enjoy achievement, although they have a greater tendency to disregard physical or mental stress when they do not achieve. When faced with competition, they may focus less on winning or losing than their Type A counterparts, and more on enjoying the game regardless of winning or losing.

If you take the definition above, the difference between a Type A and a Super-Type A person is that the latter probably isn’t reading this sentence because they want to get right to the important parts of the guide. Type B’s are those who may have purchased this (maybe) and read to this point (maybe), but then left to play Frisbee golf (definitely.) Something else to note, I like to use metaphors and similes to help get my points across. So from now on, I’m going to refer to Type B people as Frisbees, Type A people as Racecars, and Super-Type A people as well, Super-Type A people, because any analogy I use would immediately be questioned and topped by a Super-Type A (No I wouldn’t, yes I would, you don’t know me…)

Now I definitely like to characterize things and people. One would consider me a Super-Type A person, BUT, and this is very important, only those who know me very well understand that -