Richard Carlson
Richard Carlson was a prolific American author whose body of work included numerous non-fiction books about achieving personal and spiritual fulfillment, peak performance, and inner peace. His most popular work, the self-help classic Don’t Sweat the Small Stuff…and it’s all small stuff, became a massive international sensation after it was first published in 1997, eventually selling more than 25 million copies worldwide. Carlson’s simple and accessible approach to helping people of all ages and backgrounds achieve happiness, balance, and harmony through the practice of mindfulness, compassion, and education made him a sought-after speaker, TV show guest, and highly respected leader in the self-improvement space.
Though born in 1956 in Piedmont, California, Carlson spent much of his childhood and teenage years in the North Bay area of the state, attending high school in San Raphael. After graduating, he went on to earn a Bachelor’s degree from the University of California, Santa Barbara, quickly followed by a doctorate in psychology from the same institution. From 1984 onwards, Carlson devoted himself to writing about the philosophies and practices he had developed during his education, culminating in the release of Don’t Sweat the Small Stuff…and it’s all small stuff in 1997.
The book, which remains popular to this day, outlines Carlson’s view on how best to approach life’s small and big challenges. Through his signature simple and warm style, Carlson proposed that life is too short to be troubled by unnecessary negative energy, and that it is possible to achieve more meaningful results by shifting personal outlooks to one of acceptance and learning. Carlson discussed how to be a better listener, reduce stress, and find comfort in religiously aligned practices, as well as concepts such as meditation, living in the present moment, and embracing feelings of vulnerability.
Carlson’s consistent and widespread success with his books and speaking engagements allowed him to reach celebrity-like status in the mid-to-late nineties and early 2000s, inspiring an entire community of readers and followers around the globe. Moreover, his writings and interviews touched upon a wide range of topics, from personal growth to healthy relationships, often surprising critics and audiences alike with his insight and candor.
When not busy writing, Carlson enjoyed spending time outdoors in his hometown of Seattle, Washington. It was a passion he shared with his wife Kristine, who he met at a local hill-climbing event in the mid-eighties. The couple welcomed two children in their twenties and had been married for over three decades before Carlson’s passing in 2006. The disaster which took the author away from us too early was a plane crash in Alaska, just days after his 50th birthday.
Even before his tragic death, however, Carlson had already secured his place as one of the most influential figures in the self-help space. After Don’t Sweat the Small Stuff…and it’s all small stuff he went on to write four more books, with the final one, Don’t Worry, Make Money, coming out shortly after his death. His works have since been translated into over 20 languages, consistently inspiring generations of readers, speakers, and life coaches. His message and ideas remain alive today as his wife commissioned a preserver of his work, the Richard Carlson Foundation, and other projects inspired by his life and works continue to remind us of the importance of personal growth and inner peace.
