Self-Help

Though the term self-help can refer to any case whereby an individual or a group (support group) betters themselves economically, intellectually or emotionally, the connotations of the phrase have come to apply particularly to psychological or psychotherapeutic nostrums, often purveyed through the popular genre of the "self-help" book. Sometimes writers refer to a "self-help movement", though this movement exists independently from self-help books.

History

The first "self-help" book was - indeed - titled "Self-Help". It was written by Samuel Smiles (1812-1904) and was published in 1859. Its opening sentence is: "Heaven helps those who help themselves", a variation of "God helps them that help themselves", the oft-quoted maxim that appears in Benjamin Franklin's Poor Richard's Almanac (1733-1758).

Self-help marketplace, and criticisms

Group and corporate aid for the "seeker" has also moved into the "self-help" marketplace, with LGATs and therapy systems ready with more or less pre-packaged solutions to instruct folk seeking their own individual betterment.

Compare with other motivational groups that are sometimes called cults:

• Landmark Education
• Scientology
• Silva Method

Though remaining popular, self-help books and programs have been criticized as offering "easy answers" to difficult personal problems. According to this view, the reader or participant receives the equivalent of a placebo while the writer and publisher collect the profits. The book God is My Broker asserts, "The only way to get rich from a self-help book is to write one." Self help books have also been criticised for containing pseudoscientific assertions that tend to mislead the consumer.

In Defense of Self-help

A counter-argument is that some readers of self-help books are seeking "easy answers", but that doesn't mean the answers in the books are easy to apply. A book can suggest a course of action (easy or not), but only the reader can carry it out, and some readers are more willing to do so than others. Those who make the effort often do make improvements in their lives.

Steven Berglas wrote:

In fairness to [Mark] Monsky and other self-help authors, there is often much useful material in their writings, and much of the damage done by this body of literature is a function of the fact that these books are not read in depth or at all. Many people quote "insights" from the books based upon a cursory reading of the dust jackets and titles. (from Reclaiming the Fire by Steven Berglas (2001) ISBN 0679463216)

Benjamin Franklin wrote in his autobiography:

As I knew, or thought I knew, what was right and wrong, I did not see why I might not always do the one and avoid the other. But I soon found I had undertaken a task of more difficulty than I had imagined. While my care was employ'd in guarding against one fault, I was often surprised by another; habit took the advantage of inattention; inclination was sometimes too strong for reason. I concluded, at length, that the mere speculative conviction that it was our interest to be completely virtuous, was not sufficient to prevent our slipping; and that the contrary habits must be broken, and good ones acquired and established, before we can have any dependence on a steady, uniform rectitude of conduct.

While the method Franklin describes in his autobiography is straightforward and easy to understand, he is clearly not suggesting that it is easy to do. Some self-help authors may gloss over this distinction, but even when they don't, readers may overlook it. Franklin himself admitted that he was only partially successful, but he thought any improvement was preferable to none, and he continued his efforts over several years.

Research has shown that people often do solve problems on their own, in many cases using techniques that are similar to those used by psychotherapists. See chapters 4 and 8 in:

Mark A. Hubble, Barry L. Duncan, Scott D. Miller (Eds), The Heart and Soul of Change: What Works in Therapy, American Psychological Association (1999) ISBN 155798557X

See also

• Personal development
• Procrastination
• Self-development

Resources

Web books

• Take Control Today! 7 simple steps to claiming a life you'll love; by Anthony Quinn.
• Psychological Self-Help; by Clayton E. Tucker-Ladd; Mental Health Net. Click here to turn directly to the section on procrastination.
• Free eBook of Self-Help, by Samuel Smiles at Project Gutenberg The first self-help book, published in 1859.

Web articles

• Criticism of Self Help Article at Self Help Basics
• How to change a habit

Websites

• A self Help Forum
• A collection of self help articles to enhance your personal development and accelerate your journey toward abundance and happiness
• Personal and professional success articles from Sylvia Henderson. A collection of personal and professional development to improve your business and life skills.
• Insights from Jim Rohn. Learn from the most inspiring American Speaker how to live successful life in our times. Solve the "Puzzle of life".
• Find freedom, relief and joy in life. Famous Guy Finley helps you find the way. Bookstore and lots of freebies.

Anthony Robbins European Seminars Personal Development, Self Help & Motivation Resources

• Professional skills success program. Basic professional skills such as timeliness, work ethic, attitude, and personal presence.

Books

• SHAM: How the Self-Help Movement Made America Helpless; by Steve Salerno. Crown Publishers, 2005. ISBN 1400054095
• Awaken the Giant Within: How to Take Immediate Control of Your Mental, Emotional, Physical, & Financial Destiny; by Anthony Robbins. Simon & Schuster Adult Publishing Group, 1991. ISBN 0671727346
• Conversations on Success; collection featuring Sylvia Henderson, Deepak Chopra, Mark Victor Hansen, plus others. Insight Publishing, 2004. Available through http://tools.successlanguage.com/ ISBN 1932863060
• Getting Things Done: The Art of Stress-Free Productivity; by David Allen. Viking Adult, 2001. ISBN 0670899240
• The Seven Habits of Highly Effective People; by Stephen Covey. Simon & Schuster Adult Publishing Group, 2004. ISBN 0743272455
• Unlimited Power: The New Science of Personal Achievement; by Anthony Robbins. Random House Publishing Group, 1987. ISBN 0449902803
• Why You Talk So White? Eliminate the Behaviors that Sabotage Your Success; by Sylvia Henderson. V-Twin Press, 2005. Available through http://www.WhyYouTalkSoWhite.com ISBN 1932197001
• See Self help books
• The Need to be Great.