Carnegie says in the preface to How to Stop Worrying and Start Living that he wrote it because he “was one of the unhappiest lads in New York”. He said that he made himself sick with worry because he hated his position in life, which he attributes to wanting to figure out how to stop worrying.
The book’s goal is to lead the reader to a more enjoyable and fulfilling lifestyle, helping them to become more aware of, not only themselves, but others around them. Carnegie tries to address the everyday nuances of living, in order to get the reader to focus on the more important aspects of life.