Self-help is a $10 billion industry. That’s a lot of books, videos, consulting sessions, courses, and seminars. It’s a huge business.
We all want to lead happier and more successful lives. However, it’s possible to get too much of a good thing. Some people are addicted to acquiring and collecting self-help materials. Are you?
Consuming self-help information is an easy way to feel like you’re addressing the challenges in your life, but the information is only useful when it’s applied. For example, knowing techniques to improve your self-confidence, but never using them, is like knowing how to do 100 pushups, but never doing even one.
Consider these signs that you might be a self-help junkie:
1. Do you have more books, eBooks, audiobooks, and courses on self-help topics than you can possibly study and apply to your life in the next five years?
• Many people make a habit of collecting self-help books and courses. Many are available online for little to no money, so it’s easy to convince yourself that you’re doing something constructive, even if you’re not.
• The more materials you collect, the less likely you’ll be able to actually use and apply them. It’s too distracting. It’s also challenging to try to figure out which one to start with.
2. Do you skip from one book or program to another without applying the information? Self-help junkies are great at starting one book or program, only to believe that the grass is greener on the other side.
• Changing back and forth between different self-help materials is a sure way to ensure you don’t make any progress. It’s like changing your mind regarding your destination in the middle of a road trip.
3. Do you have self-help materials but have failed to make any significant change to your life? There are lots of great ideas out there. If you’re not making any progress in your life, you’re failing to apply the information. Pick something and apply it consistently.
4. Do you feel a need to know “just a little more” before you’re ready to get started taking action? Some people love to learn. They actually enjoy studying their challenges more than solving them. However, most people pretend they need to know a little more as a means of procrastination.
• It’s hard to take action when you’re convinced that you’re missing a few critical details.
5. Do you use self-help materials for a boost in motivation? Self-help junkies often love the high that looking over self-help materials provides. It’s easy to fantasize about all the great results you’re going to get. You can feel like you’re making progress, even if you haven’t done a thing.
6. Do you find that you lack the time to implement the ideas you learn, but find time to read yet another self-help book?
• Self-help junkies are notorious for claiming they don’t have time to use the ideas they’ve learned, but they always seem to find time to read another self-help book or spend another weekend at a seminar.
Put all of your self-help materials away and choose just one. Pick the most important goal you have and choose one book or course that most applies to that goal.
Begin studying and applying the information today. For each hour you spend learning, spend several hours applying the information. Take your time and apply the information consistently.
At some point, it’s necessary to stop learning and start doing. Be the best at applying the information. The difference in the results you experience is staggering.
