Synopsis
The average life expectancy in the world is 72 years. That’s 26,280 days or 630,720 hours. Imagine reaching the end of your life and having spent so much time in “autopilot” mode!
Taking away the hours we spend sleeping and working, how much of the remaining time do we dedicate to our hobbies? To our education? To our loved ones? To introspection? How will we know if we are living as we would really like if we do not dedicate a few seconds a day discovering our needs and our deepest desires?
In fact, our present is influenced by the decisions we made in the past, and we build our future based on the actions we take here and now. What kind of future can we expect if, instead of spending time for what we want, we use it to satisfy the demands and expectations of others?
It is vital to understand and change our thoughts in order to modify our actions and, thus, improve our quality of life. Through a short fiction, the author demonstrates the shocking result obtained when we dedicate, at least, a short time daily to ourselves.
Why did I write this book?
Some moments mark us deeply, like the day my wife passed away on May 2, 2016. We had started dating 45 years earlier, exactly on May 2, 1971. Was the precision between the start and end dates simply a coincidence of life? I don’t have the answer.
Our children were already well on their way; we always celebrated Three Kings Day and Children’s Day with gifts. However, in addition to giving them something material, I would write them something related to these 20 keys. I thought it would be a good idea to compile all those writings, explore each topic in depth, and organize them systematically.
Futhermore, the compilation of writings arose from a search for a deeper meaning in life, despite being satisfied with what I had achieved so far. Why settle for what is already known if there could be something more valuable that I might not be considering or giving the importance it deserves in the present?
Conformity and comfort can negatively affect our lives, raising the question of why not seek experiences that enrich our daily existence. Life is like a train, and we have the decision to stay at the station or climb aboard; why not try to take control of our own lives as if we were the conductors of that locomotive?
What does the book “don’t settle: choose to feel good” offer?
The objective of this book is to reach those who, despite being satisfied with their current situation, wish to improve even further. It promotes the idea of not settling for the status quo and motivates the search for greater achievements.
In the pursuit of personal improvement, 20 keys are presented to achieve the desired well-being. Although people may agree with all or only some of them, the crucial point is that each individual identifies those that are useful to them and feels comfortable with their choice. During the reading, each person will be able to find new keys to apply to their life.
For this book to be effective, two essential aspects must be met: having the firm purpose of choosing the best and dedicating time to reflection.
Invitation to action
Generally, when we read, we adopt a passive attitude; we look for a comfortable place and prepare to enjoy our moment of rest. Undoubtedly, some readings will impact us more than others.
Therefore, the purpose of this book is for each person to take an active role and create their own plan to “choose to be better.” It is not something abstract, but rather something that happens through writing and detailed planning. In a specific section, the concrete and tangible steps to implement these 20 keys are detailed; what matters is that the reader develops their own plan and puts it in writing. In one chapter, I mentioned that the power of the written word is limitless.
What is the reason behind the title: “don’t settle, choose to feel good: 20 keys to achieving it”?
When writing a book, finding a brief title that can capture its entire essence is, without a doubt, a challenge. I feared that by opting for brevity, I would be sacrificing the book’s core.
The target audience has already been defined as people who feel good but are looking for something greater. That is why I chose the phrase “Don’t Settle, Choose to Feel Good.” The main word in the title is “choose,” which is fascinating.
Choosing implies a conscious decision to put our entire intellectual capacity into action to pick a specific path or option. In our daily routine, we are constantly making decisions, choosing between different options presented to us. This is part of our free will; we are entirely responsible for our actions.
Review of the book’s content
I requested the services of a prestigious company to receive guidance on the necessary corrections, both from a grammatical and stylistic point of view.
The cover design
It is exciting to explore this topic, as it involves condensing the central idea and the book’s name into a single image, which represents a rewarding challenge. It was not easy to convey the full idea of the book: “Don’t Settle, Choose to Feel Good: 20 keys to achieving it.”
I hired a graphic designer residing in Italy. This reflects my belief that every action should provide a lesson to make it even more gratifying. This is a guide in my life; that’s why I decided to take the opportunity to practice the language I enjoy so much.
We decided to communicate only in writing, which forced us to take great care to be exact. This dynamic took 25 days, during which we exchanged 97 messages and a large number of proofs.
The cover shows a man who is doing well, symbolized by the blue sunrise sky surrounding him, and his arm points toward something he is seeking, a goal he aspires to. At the mountain peak, the man is seen raising his arm in a gesture of victory after ascending a staircase with 20 steps.
Some points to keep in mind
In this essay, I allowed myself to be creative. While novels can include elements of fiction, essays are characterized by their concrete focus. Nevertheless, I took the liberty of inventing a character named “Tavisil” with whom I converse. The nickname was created using the ‘vesre’ technique, which consists of reversing the order of the syllables. For example, the name ‘Silvita’ (my wife’s nickname) was how my children and I affectionately called my wife when we were joking in a loving way.
At the same time, some ideas also arise that, although they may seem wild, are part of certain common ramblings during the writing process.
Choose your preferred format
📖 Paperback (Softcover)
- Available Amazon.com
📱 Digital Format (eBook)
- Get it on Amazon.com, Google Books, and Draft to Digital (Apple, Kobo, Barnes&Noble, and eleven others sites)
If you decide to acquire it, I would be delighted to hear your opinions. You can do so here.
International trajectory
In 2025, it was presented at the Frankfurt International Book Fair
Awards and accolades
- Book Excellence Award, 2026
2. First place, Gold Medal, Reader Views Choice Awards, 2024-2025
3. Third, place, bronze medal, Readers’ Favorite Awards, 2025
4. Special Mention ILBA, 2025
Honorable Mention received from the International Latino Book Awards 2025
5. Recognized in the book 100 Artisti d’Italia – Cultural Lab, Italia, 2025
International critical acclaim
- Book Excellence:
“In ‘Don’t Settle, Choose to Feel Good,’ Pablo Tricci offers a thoughtful and motivating guide for anyone who has ever wondered: Is this how I truly want to live my life? Written with the warmth of a trusted mentor, Tricci invites us to stop living by default and start living by design through twenty practical keys. An essential read for those seeking to build a life with daily intention.” — Book Excellence Review (bookexcellence.com)“
Media and press presence
The book on stage
- Article on EIN Preswire, January 2, 2025
- Presentation “Moments broadcasting: behind the books”, 2026
Community reviews
- Verified Purchase review from Amazon.com that summarizes the essence of the book:
5 out of 5 stars. Reviewed in the United States, United States on November 7, 2025. Verified Purchase
This book is truly inspiring for everyone. I enjoyed reading it; it encouraged me to think about the importance of living in the present. I loved the fictional story the author crafted. Gratitude plays a significant role in our daily lives. This book is a must-read, as it reveals 20 keys to achieving the life you desire.