How Am I Doing? book cover

How Am I Doing? by Corey Yeager Summary

How Am I Doing?
Corey Yeager
3.67 (612 Reviews)
Self-growth
Psychology
Mindfulness
Overview
Key Takeaways
Author
FAQs

Overview of How Am I Doing?

NBA psychotherapist Dr. Corey Yeager's "How Am I Doing?" offers 40 transformative self-conversations that tackle ancestral trauma and negative self-talk. Featured on MPR News, this guide helps readers navigate mental health barriers - especially within African American communities where therapeutic dialogue remains revolutionary.

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Key Takeaways from How Am I Doing?

  1. Prioritizing yourself isn’t selfish—it’s essential for serving others effectively.
  2. Use daily mirror reflections to build self-awareness and emotional honesty.
  3. Transform mistakes into growth by analyzing their lessons, not dwelling on regret.
  4. Corey Yeager’s 23-second rule: Brief mindful pauses reset negative thought patterns.
  5. Replace self-criticism with “internal supreme court” questions for balanced self-talk.
  6. Reframe past regrets as foundational lessons for future decision-making.
  7. Schedule unapologetic “me days” to prevent burnout and maintain mental clarity.
  8. Narrative solution-focused therapy turns life challenges into empowering personal stories.
  9. Balanced positivity acknowledges racial injustice while fostering actionable hope.
  10. Write down moments of self-neglect to identify boundary-setting opportunities.
  11. Detroit Pistons-approved self-checkins optimize performance in high-pressure environments.
  12. “40 Conversations with Yourself” framework strengthens relationships through self-understanding.

Overview of its author - Corey Yeager

Dr. Corey Yeager, psychotherapist and mental wellness strategist, is the author of How Am I Doing?, a self-help guide focused on personal reflection, resilience, and systemic approaches to personal and professional growth. A Doctoral-level Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist, Yeager combines his clinical expertise with firsthand experience as a former NFL draft prospect and mental wellness consultant for the NBA’s Detroit Pistons and the United Football League (UFL).

His work, rooted in addressing African American relational dynamics and organizational role clarity, bridges athletic performance and psychological well-being.

Yeager’s insights have been featured on Apple TV+’s The Me You Can’t See, co-hosted by Oprah Winfrey and Prince Harry, and he has collaborated with institutions like the Smithsonian and the Oprah Winfrey Network. With a PhD in Family Social Science from the University of Minnesota, his research emphasizes community-driven mental health strategies.

How Am I Doing? distills his methodology into actionable frameworks for self-assessment, endorsed by professionals and athletes alike. The book’s practical tools align with Yeager’s mission to foster courageous conversations about race, identity, and systemic change.

Common FAQs of How Am I Doing?

What is How Am I Doing? by Corey Yeager about?

How Am I Doing? by Dr. Corey Yeager is a self-help guide focused on fostering mental wellness through introspection. The book provides 40 reflective questions to help readers build self-trust, address past traumas, and develop positive self-talk strategies. It blends therapeutic insights with actionable prompts, encouraging honest self-dialogue to align daily actions with personal values.

Who should read How Am I Doing? by Corey Yeager?

This book is ideal for individuals seeking to improve their mental health, process past experiences, or cultivate self-awareness. It’s particularly valuable for those navigating anxiety, guilt, or career/personal transitions. Therapists, coaches, and fans of Oprah’s mental health advocacy (via The Me You Can’t See) may also find it impactful.

What mental health strategies does Corey Yeager recommend?

Yeager emphasizes techniques like structured self-reflection, trauma acknowledgment, and replacing negative thought patterns with affirming mantras. He also advocates for practical tools such as journaling prompts, mindfulness exercises, and crisis plans for managing anxiety or depression.

How does How Am I Doing? address past traumas?

The book guides readers to identify how past experiences influence current behaviors and emotions. Yeager provides frameworks to process guilt, regret, or unresolved pain through targeted questions, encouraging readers to reframe their narratives and prioritize healing.

What are the key takeaways from How Am I Doing??
  1. Self-trust: Cultivate honesty in internal dialogue.
  2. Trauma awareness: Recognize past impacts on present decisions.
  3. Positive self-talk: Replace criticism with compassionate language.
  4. Actionable healing: Use prompts to create mental health strategies.
How does Corey Yeager’s background influence the book?

As a psychotherapist for the Detroit Pistons and contributor to Oprah’s mental health series, Yeager blends clinical expertise with relatable storytelling. His experience in sports psychology and trauma counseling informs the book’s focus on resilience and goal-aligned behavior.

Is How Am I Doing? worth reading?

Yes, for its structured approach to self-discovery. Unlike generic self-help books, it offers specific, therapist-designed exercises (e.g., 40 guided conversations) to address mental health holistically. Readers praise its practicality for navigating anxiety and life transitions.

How does How Am I Doing? compare to other self-help books?

Unlike Atomic Habits (focused on routines) or The Body Keeps the Score (trauma science), Yeager’s book prioritizes conversational self-therapy. It’s closer to The Four Agreements in simplicity but adds clinical strategies for emotional resilience.

What criticism has How Am I Doing? received?

Some readers note the 40-question format may feel repetitive, and the emphasis on self-guided work might challenge those needing more direct advice. However, most praise its accessible blend of therapy techniques and introspection.

How can How Am I Doing? help with career or relationship growth?

The book’s reflection prompts help users align professional goals with personal values and improve communication by understanding emotional triggers. For example, Yeager’s “trust-building” questions aid in resolving workplace conflicts or relationship misunderstandings.

Does How Am I Doing? include exercises or worksheets?

Yes, each of the 40 questions includes journaling prompts, self-care strategies, and action steps. Examples include writing forgiveness letters to one’s past self or creating a “mental health toolkit” for low-mood days.

Why is How Am I Doing? relevant in 2025?

Amid rising awareness of mental health and workplace burnout, Yeager’s focus on sustainable self-care and trauma-informed growth aligns with 2025 trends toward holistic well-being. Its adaptable framework suits remote workers, leaders, and students alike.

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Key takeaways

1

When the Mirror Becomes Your Greatest Teacher and You Claim the Lead Role

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You're sitting in your car between errands, phone buzzing with texts you're ignoring. A rare quiet moment. And suddenly, a question surfaces: "Am I actually happy?" Not the surface-level "fine" you tell everyone, but genuinely, deeply okay. Most of us sprint through life so fast we never pause to ask. We're too busy being what others need us to be - the reliable colleague, the good parent, the supportive friend. But here's a truth that might sting: you can't pour from an empty cup, and most of us are running on fumes. This isn't a self-help cliche - it's the foundation of everything that follows. Before you can show up authentically for anyone else, you need to know who's actually showing up. Stop for a second. Who's the most important person in your life? If you just named your spouse, parent, or child, you've missed someone critical - yourself. This isn't narcissism; it's oxygen-mask logic. On planes, they tell you to secure your own mask first because you're useless to others if you're unconscious. Life works the same way. Taking a "you day" when you're overwhelmed - ignoring emails, declining calls, just existing - isn't selfish. It's preventative maintenance. When your tank hits empty, your decisions suffer, your patience evaporates, and everyone around you pays the price. Think of yourself as the star of your own movie. You wouldn't watch a film where the protagonist constantly sacrifices their needs until they collapse, would you? That's not inspiring - it's tragic. Being the lead doesn't mean ignoring others' needs; it means moving consciously rather than reflexively. Yes, sometimes a sick child or struggling friend genuinely comes first. But if you're constantly the supporting character in your own story, you'll spend your life seeking external validation, unable to make decisions without a committee's approval. Notice when you hesitate to take time for yourself. What are you afraid of? Disappointing someone? Being seen as selfish? Track these moments. Create a self-care inventory - maybe it's morning coffee in silence, a long walk, or an hour with a book. Then actually protect that time. Because taking responsibility for your happiness isn't optional. It's the price of admission to a life that's actually yours.

2

Wild Dreams and the Authority of Your Inner Wisdom

3

Write Your Story Before Someone Else Does

4

The Voice Inside Your Head and Your Truth-Telling Council

5

Create Sanctuaries Where You Can Breathe

6

The Freedom Waiting on the Other Side of Vulnerability

7

True Happiness Grows from the Soil of Pain

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