We've heard them called toxic people, but Pollay, syndicated columnist, blogger, and speaker, has labeled all the negative people in our lives, whether family, friends, or colleagues, "dumpers," and offers a fresh self-help guide to deal with them all. Pollay differentiates dumping from venting, which he describes as leaving people burdened by your problems, rather than helping them to understand them. Pollay structures his effort around eight "commitments," all beginning with "do" and including "Avoid Becoming Someone Else's Garbage Truck," "Let Your Own Garbage Trucks Pass You By," and "Declare Your Life a No-Garbage Trucks! Zone." A troika of mid-book quizzes help readers discern their GAL, or Garbage Accepting Load, and where they fall on the "Accepter" and "Dumper" scale, and "action guide" prompts end chapters (he urges readers to keep a pen in hand). Also included is research from experts in biology, neurology, and other sciences, and case studies of people who have put his philosophies into practice. Though the ease with which he believes his advice might be implemented can sound naive, he deserves kudos for taking a relatively nascent metaphor and expanding upon it admirably. (Oct.)

Praise for David J. Pollay and The Law of the Garbage Truck

The message will stay with you for decades to come.
—Tom Rath, #1 New York Times bestselling author of How Full Is Your Bucket? and best-sellers Strengthsfinder 2.0 and Wellbeing
 
The Law of the Garbage Truck is smart, fun, and powerful.
—Gretchen Rubin, #1 New York Times bestselling author of The Happiness Project
 
David J. Pollay …addresses the question on the forefront of everyone's mind:  "It's hard enough managing my own happiness, but how do I deal with the negative people in my life?" This compelling and practical volume provides the best answer I've seen yet.
—Barbara L. Fredrickson, Kenan Distinguished Professor of Psychology, University of North Carolina - Chapel Hill and author of Positivity
 
This book will immediately and profoundly change the way you interact with the world … I recommend it highly.
—Keith Ferrazzi, #1 New York Times bestselling author of Who’s Got Your Back and Never Eat Alone
 
David J. Pollay effortlessly distills the science of well-being into a simple, memorable formula for achieving a life lived authentically and happily.
—Sonja Lyubomirsky, Professor of Psychology, University of California, Riverside and author of The How of Happiness
 
The Law of the Garbage Truck is a profound, practical, and personal book that shows how to keep the garbage in our lives at bay so we can enjoy inner peace and happiness.
—Jerry Jampolsky M.D., founder of the International Center for Attitudinal Healing, and author of fifteen best selling books, including Love is Letting Go of Fear

The Law of the Garbage Truck … gives us the motivation to stay on track, achieve our goals, and—best of all—be happy!
—Nido R. Qubein, President of High Point University and Chairman of Great Harvest Bread Company
 
There’s a simple reason why David J. Pollay’s “No Garbage Trucks! Pledge has been translated into 48 languages, and people from more than 100 countries have taken it”: It works! Start living a better life now!
—Nick Morgan, President of Public Words, and author of Trust Me: Four Steps to Authenticity and Charisma
 
Follow Pollay’s powerful recommendations … and you’ll develop positive habits of happiness.
—Ed Diener, Joseph R. Smiley Distinguished Professor of Psychology, University of Illinois, coauthor (with Robert Biswas-Diener) of Happiness: Unlocking the Mysteries of Psychological Wealth
 
One of the best books I’ve read in years … you'll want everyone you care about to read The Law of the Garbage Truck. 
—Yakov Smirnoff, America’s Funniest Russian Comedian, and Professor at Missouri State University
 
As a Yahoo!, David was a one man “No Garbage Zone” of positive attitude and good business results. This honest and generous book will show you how to be one too.
—Tim Sanders, former Chief Solutions Officer at Yahoo! and author of Love Is the Killer App: How To Win Business and Influence Friends
 
This enjoyable, fast-moving book shows you how to forget about past events you cannot change, and focus on creating an unlimited future for yourself.
 —Brian Tracy, author, 55 books/38 languages
 
Like a great coach, David J. Pollay offers a powerful game plan for success in life and sports.
—Jeff Conine, Major League Baseball All-Star and two-time World Series winner
 
How you interact with the world is a choice. You can get dumped on (and do some dumping). Or you can enjoy life. It’s your decision and David J. Pollay will show you how to make it.
—David Meerman Scott, best-selling author of The New Rules of Marketing & PR
 
A MUST READ for business leaders today. I have handed out copies of The Law of the Garbage Truck to my colleagues and team members.
—Frank Sui, Partner, Deloitte Consulting LLP
 
I want every principal, teacher, and parent to read The Law of the Garbage Truck. This brilliant book shows us how to give our best to our children every day, and to each other.
 —Tammy Ferguson, North Area Director of School Accountability, Palm Beach County School District
 
The universality of this spiritual message goes beyond all borders and unites all of us in a single mission to be kind and compassionate to all people.
—Reverend Linda Mobley, Cason United Methodist Church of Delray Beach
 
In reading The Law of the Garbage Truck, I was reminded of the teachings of the Dalai Lama. Many of David J. Pollay’s insightful observations and helpful recommendations are rooted in the time honored principles of Buddhism.
—Dale Smith, Head of School, Pine Crest School
 
David J. Pollay has written a superb and deeply spiritual book. The Law of the Garbage Truck instructs us to cleanse our spirits . . . and invites us to pursue a deep introspection in a way that inspires us to want to make more of our lives.
—Rabbi Daniel Levin, Temple Beth El of Boca Raton
 
David J. Pollay’s The Law of the Garbage Truck stands out from the hundreds of how-to-live-your-life books: It is backed by the best current research on happiness and well-being . . . readers who seriously commit to these principles will find their lives, their work, and their relationships enriched.
—Raymond D. Fowler, former President of the American Psychological Association