Have you ever been recommended a self-help book?

My partner, who has incredibly long legs and an enviable physique at 56, recently recommended to me an inspirational book written by a runner. Now my partner has a thing about running; how fast, how far and so on…..whereas I basically do it for the results. Don`t get me wrong, I am super interested to find out that interval running can spark growth hormone-well which woman doesn’t want to look 30 at 52? However, my interest is at best limited to the odd conversation about whether it`s time to increase my speeds. Conversely, my partner tells me that he actually thinks about the self-help book he read whilst running, and adopts a similar positive mindset to that held by the writer-which from where I`m standing is DEFINITELY bringing results….

Sounds great doesn`t it? But actually, do self-help books really work? After all, the very word ‘self-help’ seems to indicate that it is something you are to all intents and purposes, doing yourself. And what defines a self-help book? Purely the domain of studious non fiction the genre has evolved to include poetry books on the subject of building better relationships to narrative poems about depression and pain.

There’s no one size fits all self-help book!

Just to be clear, most people will not pick up a self-help book and find their lives are instantly changed. Many self-help books are written from personal experience, and each individuals experience is different. Bearing in mind that one size absolutely does not fit all, how can they possible help?

The secret in most cases seems to be mindset. Mindset is defined as ‘the established set of attitudes held by someone’. I`m not in any way suggesting that adopting the set of attitudes or beliefs held by the writer would be in any way a good thing to do. As mentioned, each individual is different, and pretending to believe something when you actually don`t is more than likely damaging to both ones self-esteem and one’s mental health.

Become a successful version of you!

What self-help books do do, however, is to encourage the reader to think about their own mindset, to become more proactive in taking control of their own life, and to begin viewing their life in a more positive way, with the belief that they are ultimately master over their own life course. They can encourage the reader to interpret the world more positively, and so take positive action in the belief that improvement is possible. Lastly, they can help you to explore both your limitations and abilities, helping you to do what you are capable of, and become an even better, more successful version of you!