Let’s take Redbull, for example. Imagine consuming a can of Redbull and immediately get the skills you need to succeed. It would be that simple, nothing more.
In the past decade, motivational speakers and the art of motivation has grown exponentially. This is as a result of people’s obsession with improving their lives. People crave better bodies, houses, spouses, jobs, etcetera. This has placed the self-help industry at a worth of $10 billion dollars.
One of the many things people run to is books—self-help books. The reason is that reading makes one seem as though they’re doing something important and relevant. We go through tons and tons of books because it preaches to us a glorious life. A life we can get when we position ourselves better.
But, at the end of the day or week or year, we never get started. We keep seeking more books because it’s satisfying. Reading these books makes us feel like we are doing something right. But we are not. We are just addicted.
When Does Self-Help Becomes A Problem?
Self-help books tend to focus on the growing process. The learn more process. This can be good, but sometimes the best way to learn is to do. Don’t read about doing it, just do it. If you want to lose weight, then workout and go on a diet. If you want to get A’s in school, then study and study some more. Nothing will ever beat doing.
Self-help focuses on being the best and beating your competition. This is also good. But in life, most times, the only competition you should focus on is yourself. Life is not a video game.
Self-help focuses on a generalized idea of what is Happiness is relative, and not everyone gets happy by the same thing. Not everyone wants to be a billionaire and be the CEO of a 500 Company. Some people want a simple life, one that is quiet and without fuss. This idea of imposing what success should be to people is harmful.
Self-help book always emphasizes on the mind. As long as you discipline your mind then the body will follow, they say. This, again, is relative and harmful. For example, a jogger who wants to run a marathon starts training, and somewhere mid-training their knee goes out. They go to the doctor and get treated. The doctor warns said person against running a marathon. This is an example of the mind being willing and the body failing. Just because you think it, doesn’t mean it’s going to happen. This is life, not a fairytale.
How To Do Away With Self-Help Addiction
For starters, stop comparing yourself to others. “If you judge a fish by its ability to climb a tree, the fish would be useless.” And this is so with us. You cannot compare yourself with even your colleague. They are built differently. Their system functions differently. Take the time to know yourself. Be self-aware; know where you excel and where you need improvement. Then work on it.
You have to assess what people tell you. Don’t just consume whatever people tell you. Think about it. Analyze it. Ask yourself how this is beneficial and applicable to your present situation and decide if it’s worth it or not. In the same vein, know the difference between a constructive and destructive criticism. One of them shows you the problem and teaches you how to grow while the other tears you down just for the sake of it.
