Robert A. Glover · 2003 · covert contracts

No More
Mr. Nice Guy

Stop trading invisible favors for approval. Say the need, set the boundary, and let kindness become clean.

Nice

performs agreement

Honest

states reality

Integrated

keeps warmth and spine

interactive tool

Covert Contract Decoder

clean version

Pick a hidden invoice.

The replacement will turn approval-seeking into a request, boundary, or adult choice.

I want to be direct instead of silently keeping score.

What readers keep.

"A covert contract is a deal only one person knows they are making."

resonated with this

"Being nice is not the same as being honest."

resonated with this

"Approval addiction turns ordinary requests into performances."

resonated with this

"Boundaries are cleaner than resentment."

resonated with this

"Recovery means becoming integrated, not becoming harsh."

resonated with this

Practice clean kindness.

02

Name the hidden invoice

Write one current resentment, then finish: I secretly expected them to...

I'll do this
03

Make one clean request

Ask for something specific without explaining why the other person should already know.

I'll do this
04

Practice a plain no

Draft a two-sentence no that contains no apology spiral, accusation, or fake excuse.

I'll do this
05

Find a non-approval source

Choose one activity this week that builds self-respect without requiring praise from anyone.

I'll do this
06

Catch the performance

When you over-explain, pause and ask whether you are clarifying or auditioning.

I'll do this
07

Say the preference early

State one small preference before someone else decides for the group.

I'll do this
08

Convert resentment into data

At night, turn one irritation into either a request, a boundary, or a decision to release it.

I'll do this

Printable plan

Build your mini action book.

Pick setup actions and daily habits from No More Mr. Nice Guy, choose a start date, and download a printable checklist with real calendar pages. Nothing is stored.

Build Mini Action Book

Questions

Frequently asked

What is No More Mr. Nice Guy about?

No More Mr. Nice Guy examines covert contracts, people-pleasing, and resentment. Its central move is to replace approval-seeking performance with direct needs, honest boundaries, and adult responsibility.

What are the key takeaways from No More Mr. Nice Guy?

Readers on HourLife most often highlight ideas such as: “A covert contract is a deal only one person knows they are making.” “Being nice is not the same as being honest.” “Approval addiction turns ordinary requests into performances.”

Who should read No More Mr. Nice Guy?

It's a strong pick for readers exploring Become Hard To Manipulate, Better Conversations, Better Life, and Confidence. HourLife distills its core idea into community-voted insights and one practical action worth trying.

What's one thing I can do after reading No More Mr. Nice Guy?

Name the hidden invoice — Write one current resentment, then finish: I secretly expected them to...

How long does it take to read the No More Mr. Nice Guy summary?

About five minutes. The HourLife summary distills No More Mr. Nice Guy into its core idea, 5 community insights, and 7 practical actions you can apply right away.

More from the author

Follow the source.

Browse every HourLife page connected to the writer behind No More Mr. Nice Guy.

Take it with you

Downloads & shareables.

Print it, pin it, post it. Ways to take No More Mr. Nice Guy off the screen and into the world.

From reading to doing

Turn this book into a daily practice.

Save the insights that land, build the habits that stick, and keep what you learn from No More Mr. Nice Guy working long after you close the page — inside HourLife.

Launching soon on the App Store. One email when it's live — no newsletter.

See everything the app does →