Personal Development Polarization
When I first encountered the realm of self-help books nearly a decade ago, I marveled at how I could have frequented libraries for so long and not come across the genre. There were all kinds of amazing things like: How to Achieve Everything You Want By Using the Power of Your Mind, or How to Be Happy All the Time, or Being the Powerful God of Your Life. Okay, I have totally made up all those titles, but you get the drift.
My logical computer brain has been longing to make sense of the non-logical life that we live and these authors seem to know a thing or two. Some more, some less.
Fast forward to today. Am I a little bit disillusioned yet? Maybe at myself for not being able to convert any of what I read into any concrete results. Am I still dazzled by these self-help gurus? Let’s just say that I am more discriminating now. Do I still want more? Yes, please, but only the good stuff. (Don’t get me started about “The Secret”.)
Another thing I have found over the years is how touchy the subject of self-help is. It is spoken about in the same hushed whispers that one does, when talking about religion. I dare say that it is easier to boldly proclaim one’s Christian denomination publicly than to admit to enjoying the writings of Steve Pavlina (which I do enjoy). Whenever I get asked what I like to read, I usually just cough and mutter “business and computer books” rather than admitting to what I was actually reading.
I personally have a friends who is totally disgusted by anything self-help related; we fortunately have other interests that we agree on. The types reactions to the subject of “self-help” are almost equivalent to the types of reactions that one might get when talking about religion: neutral nodding smiles; near-foaming at the mouth snarls; or evangelical enthusiasm.
One reason for not wanting to admit to reading self-help is that it is almost like admitting that I have a problem with my life. Really I don’t have a problem, other than wanting to make my life today better than what it was yesterday. Maybe for other people “the way” is kind of obvious.
For myself, I will admit that I am still pretty clueless, but thankfully not as clueless as before.
