Don’t Buy Another Self-Help Book

Books are a first step, but only one step...

I think one of the reasons we buy so many books and don't fully implement their advice is that the process of change involves so much more than just an "a-ha" moment we can get from a book -- any book.

Personally, I feel that therapy is the critical follow-up to finding a book that speaks to you (regardless of how much of that book you have or haven't read). Psychotherapy is a process of disassembling and reassembling, done in the context of building a vulnerable, yet crucial relationship with a stranger (i.e., the therapist). That's where the change takes place, and gets continuous reinforcement. We shouldn't expect people to solve all of their 'issues' with just their books, regardless of how many wonderful books there are in the world (unread, partially read, and completely read).

Having said all that, I should also make it clear that I am the author of twenty books, including many bestsellers, and I made my living as a writer for twenty-five years. Still, I would never assume that any of my readers could solve all of their issues by reading even my best, best work.

The past ten years I have spent much more energy directing my readers in the direction of professional support than directing my readers to the cash register to buy more of my books. As a writer of self-help books, I consider this a responsibility. I approach this 'referral source' function of my work with extraordinary seriousness.

Books are a great beginning -- the books you already own and the books you will one day buy -- but they are only a beginning. Accumulating books can be a great support system, or it can be a way to fill your life with opportunities to avoid the more challenging process of steady, positive growth.

Steven A. Carter of CA @ Oct 23, 2008 20:05:11 PM

re self-help books

Thanks Jackie! Glad you found us here. :-)

After your comment about having read most of the self-help books on your shelf, I looked at my shelves and thought, "What if I committed to finding just one thing in each of those books that can have a positive impact on my life - and then actually applied those things? What kind of effect would that have? How amazing could that be?"

I think it's time for a self-help book excavation project.

Curt Rosengren of WA @ Oct 14, 2008 14:25:54 PM

self-help books

Curt,

Great idea! I hear you. I have a ton of self-help books on my shelves. I haven't read them all. I buy them sometimes for later, sometimes just for one quote I found inside. But I've read most of them, and have re-read at least half of them. I agree with you 100 percent. Words in a book won't matter unless you read them and follow up, or allow something you've learned to sink in. You must read them first. Great suggestion. And great way to get me to come here. I found you via my Google Alert on self-help, by the way.

I'm also a writer and speaker. I just posted a list about books that I'm reading. I think I'll follow that up with a referral on my blog to come here for some interesting and unexpected insight.

Thanks!

Jackie "The BIKE Lady" Dishner

http://bikewithjackie.blogspot.com

http://www.thephoenixtraveler.com

Jackie Dishner of AZ @ Oct 13, 2008 10:19:17 AM