The Self-Help Myth: Fact or Fiction?

​It’s fairly obvious to state that the self-help industry is booming, especially since it has morphed into its new iteration: ‘wellness’.  The idea that one thing can change our lives - the way we think, act and thrive is an attractive concept.

The marketing of self-help has also got more pervasive in our social media lives, with #fitspo and #inspo influencers subtly and not so subtly selling us things to help us live our ‘best lives’.  But self-help books are like diets, we rarely stick with them.  The first few pages of affirmations have us feeling really positive, certain that our intentions are set and this time it will be different.  But with a laundry list of dos and don'ts it can be difficult to remember what you are supposed to do and who you are living 'your best life' for.  The same sense of shame and failure that comes with ditching a diet, can accompany a self-help slip-up.  
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@garyjanetti

A Great way to get the most out of self-help books is to treat them like a menu:

While you're reading, underline the things that resonate with you, and pick and choose a few tips to work on.  

​This way you’re being more realistic about what you can commit to. Make a self-help book work for you, don’t just try and mirror the advice.

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a new wave in the self-help genre

​Although this industry is unlikely to slow down anytime soon, a wave of new self-help authors are acknowledging that happiness, productivity or anything else that we think we are missing are not external items that can be purchased.  

​Living our ‘best lives’ takes hard work, vulnerability and struggle. More hard work than it takes to organise a perfect Instagram flatlay post.

There still might be a lot of acceptance of ourselves to do, but it’s great to see that some people in the industry are flipping self-help to truly mean what it should: help yourself.  
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​Take a look at some WIP recommended books that also believe that we are all a Work In Progress.

work party - Jaclyn Johnson

Jaclyn Johnson is her own boss now, but she has experienced all the heartache that comes along with losing her dream job, a business relationship gone sour and building her company from the ground up.  
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This is a great book to read if you are looking to redefine your career on your own terms.  Find out how work can be a party!

The Subtle Art of Not Giving A Fuck 
- Mark Manson

​Being bombarded by social comparisons everyday via social media means we sometime give a fuck about the wrong things.
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Mark Manson's popular blog is now a book drawing from psychology research and Buddhism, there are some insights that can help you spend your fucks more wisely.  

Choose Wonder Over Worry - Amber Rae

​With an endorsement from Deepak Chopra, you know this is a legit self-help book.  But it is not as woo-woo as you think.
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Amber Rae gets specific about challenges she faced during her career in tech, and also how to address those nagging voices that are stopping us reaching our full potential.  

Looking for more inspirational reads?  
​Check out what the WIP Community has been reading!

WIP Book Club