Don't Grow Old - Grow Up!

This is Dorothy Carnegie's summary of her book, from 1956

Table of Contents

  1. The first step toward maturity - Responsibility
  2. Action is for adults
  3. Three great rules for mental health: Know yourself, Like yourself, Be yourself
  4. Marriage is for grownups
  5. Maturity and making friends
  6. How old are you?
  7. Maturity of spirit
Part One

The first step toward maturity - Responsibility

  1. Don't kick the Chair. Be willing to account for yourself; don't blame others.
  2. Damn the Handicaps! - Full Speed Ahead. Don't make a handicap an excuse for failure.
  3. Five Ways to Ditch Disaster:
    1. Accept the inevitable; give time a chance.
    2. Take action against trouble.
    3. Concentrate on helping others.
    4. Use all of life while you have it.
    5. Count your blessings.<
Part Two

Action is for adults

  1. Belief is the Basis for Action. Know what you believe and act accordingly.
  2. Analyze Before You Act.
  3. Two Wonderful Words that Changed a Life. When the time for action arrives, don't hesitate.
Part Three

Three great rules for mental health: Know yourself, Like yourself, Be yourself

  1. There's Only One Like You Learn to know yourself by:
    1. Cultivating moments of solitude.
    2. Breaking through the habit barrier.
    3. Developing excitement and enthusiasm.
  2. Conformity: Refuge of the Frightened. Be yourself by developing your own convictions and standards; then have the courage to live with them.
  3. Why is a Bore? Develop inner resources to avoid boring yourself and others.
  4. The Maturing Mind: Adventure in Adult Living. Develop your mind through intellectual activity.
Part Four

Marriage is for grownups

  1. How to Get Along with Women. Here are seven ways:
    1. Give her appreciation.
    2. Be generous and considerate.
    3. Keep yourself attractive.
    4. Understand a woman's work.
    5. Be dependable.
    6. Share her interests.
    7. Love her.
  2. Father Come Home. Children need fathers too.
  3. How to Get Along with Men. Here are seven ways:
    1. Be good-natured.
    2. Be a good companion.
    3. Be a good listener.
    4. Be adaptable.
    5. Be efficient, not officious.
    6. Be yourself.
    7. Be glad you're a woman.
  4. The Rediscovery of Love. We must develop a more mature concept of love.
Part Five

Maturity and making friends

  1. Loneliness: The Great American Disease.
  2. People are Wonderful. Learn to appreciate them.
  3. Why Should People Like You? They will like you if you like them and develop qualities of warmth that attract others.
Part Six

How old are you?

  1. If You're Afraid of Growing Old, Read This. Learn some of the facts about aging.
  2. How to Live to be 100 and Like it. To live longer, develop attitudes that promote health of mind.
  3. Don't Let the Rocking Chair Get You. Work as long as you can.
Part Seven

Maturity of spirit

  1. The Court of Last Appeal. When all else fails, try God.
  2. The Food of the Spirit. Our spirit is nourished through prayer.
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