A Better Life for Only $24.95??? (Results May Vary)

First off, let me note that the purpose of this article is not to bash self-help books. Although the title of the article may imply that my intent is to do so, it is not. However, self-help books have their value and their limitations and it is important to understand both before spending hundreds of dollars on them with the hope that doing so will lead to a better life.

There was a time when I was addicted to self-help books. Ever committed to my own personal growth, I sought the wisdom of those who seemed to possess the answers to some of my lingering questions, which spanned a variety of subjects ranging from careers to relationships. I felt a "rush" whenever I made my way to the self-help section of a bookstore, and in the end I typically walked away with $25-$150 less in my pocketbook and an unrealistically high level of hope that the keys to happiness and fulfillment could be found somewhere on the pages of my new purchases.

Admittedly, there are some extremely well-written self-help books out there, along with many more that range from mediocre to fairly good. I won't bother naming names, because my intent is not to promote or demote the work of any particular author. What it took me time to understand though was how much "self" is required to make a self-help book worthwhile. In other words, a self-help book really does require that you do the work to make things better for yourself.

Some authors get this point across by developing a workbook or "companion book" with exercises for readers to complete so that they can begin to put certain concepts in motion and make the transition from passive readers to persons of action. But the bottom line is that change cannot really come from a book. It must come from within.

Those who author self-help books are human just like the rest of us. Many struggle with issues such as low self-esteem, domestic violence, divorce, rebellious children and other life challenges. When we put too much faith in their ability to bring about a positive change in our lives, we set ourselves up for disappointment.

In actuality, a "better life" is really based on perception, and the most important perception that you should be focused on is your own. If you believe in your heart that something's amiss, then of course you should use whatever tools are available to help you bring about a change. However, the key word in all of this is "you." A tool in itself is of no help until put to use, and ultimately, you are the one responsible for using it.

The next time you consider purchasing a self-help book, take some time to skim the contents first, and then ask yourself two basic questions: 1) "Is this book equipping me with knowledge or insight that I do not already possess?"; and 2) "Am I going to use the information in this book to begin to work on issues in my life that need addressing?" Never buy a self-help book because the author is rich and famous or renowned in their field. And definitely avoid books that offer false promises about transforming your life in major ways.

Always remember that while a well-written, purposeful book can help provide you with insight that will strengthen your ability to bring about change in your life, the ability is already within you. Furthermore, you do not always have to pay for words of wisdom. Some of life's greatest messages come through unexpected mediums, be they our children, elders, or even our enemies. And sometimes if we sit still long enough and get in tune with ourselves, we will find the wisdom inside of us.