Comments on: In defense of self-help https://lauravanderkam.com/2013/01/defense-self-help/ Writer, Author, Speaker Fri, 11 Jan 2013 18:44:06 +0000 hourly 1 https://wordpress.org/?v=6.7.2 By: Becky https://lauravanderkam.com/2013/01/defense-self-help/#comment-23044 Fri, 11 Jan 2013 18:44:06 +0000 http://localhost:8888/?p=3079#comment-23044 Very interesting article. I am with Cloud, I don’t buy a lot of self-help either, but am not against them. I just happen to find a lot of help in some of the inspirational books that I read. For instance, I just finished a great spiritual novel titled, “Quest for the Lost Name” by George Makris. The book was not only very entertaining, but also taught some great spiritual terms and concepts without ever being preachy. I tend to learn when I am entertained.

http://questforthelostname.com/

]]> By: marge https://lauravanderkam.com/2013/01/defense-self-help/#comment-23043 Thu, 10 Jan 2013 01:35:40 +0000 http://localhost:8888/?p=3079#comment-23043 This week’s New York Magazine has a short summaries of a lot of self-help books.

]]> By: nicoleandmaggie https://lauravanderkam.com/2013/01/defense-self-help/#comment-23042 Sun, 06 Jan 2013 03:17:36 +0000 http://localhost:8888/?p=3079#comment-23042 In reply to Laura.

As a freelancer with a stable-jobbed spouse, you’re probably not feeling trapped in a job. And it doesn’t even have to be monetarily trapped… having a particular education can make staying in a profession seem important even to folks who rationally understand sunk costs.

http://nicoleandmaggie.wordpress.com/2010/07/18/pre-tenure-angst/

]]> By: Laura https://lauravanderkam.com/2013/01/defense-self-help/#comment-23041 Sun, 06 Jan 2013 01:02:42 +0000 http://localhost:8888/?p=3079#comment-23041 In reply to nicoleandmaggie.

@NicoleandMaggie – I feel like I must have missed something with Your Money or Your Life. I found it interesting but not life changing. But maybe I started from a similar perspective to the authors (in terms of wanting financial freedom – the ability to not *have* to do anything).

]]> By: Cloud https://lauravanderkam.com/2013/01/defense-self-help/#comment-23040 Sun, 06 Jan 2013 00:23:13 +0000 http://localhost:8888/?p=3079#comment-23040 That was a really interesting article- thanks for linking to it here. I would never have found it otherwise. I don’t buy a lot of self-help books, but I don’t avoid the entire genre, either. I like books like The Happiness Project and your 168 Hours because they give me ideas I can incorporate into my life. Like you say in your article, I don’t take someone else’s whole scheme for life, but why wouldn’t I want to look to other people for ideas for improving my life? I certainly don’t want to have to make all the mistakes myself!

]]> By: Cara Marcano https://lauravanderkam.com/2013/01/defense-self-help/#comment-23039 Fri, 04 Jan 2013 23:23:15 +0000 http://localhost:8888/?p=3079#comment-23039 I read a book on vacation called Leadership DNA … and in general most reading can be helpful… just to think about different things.. I like books like Habit or Thinking Slow and Fast which are more about how things work like anchoring (which is helpful in thinking of pricing etc) and our general psychology and I find it helpful … not saying it always works but I started putting my running shoes out (cue) and waiting for my first cup of coffee (reward) until after I do the 30 minute run on this year’s and last year’s list of to dos and it is scientifically supported and I do think it will work to be like no cup of coffee until 30 minute run. I read a book called My Sisters the Saints and from the description of Mary as reserved I’m trying to bite my tg more in marriage …
can you get a steamier marriage from reading QUALITY fiction? or fiction as self help.. can someone write an article of what to read as self help as fiction.. that would be a fun article to read… even if it is how to have more fun… entertaining yourself with good fiction etc.

]]> By: nicoleandmaggie https://lauravanderkam.com/2013/01/defense-self-help/#comment-23038 Fri, 04 Jan 2013 22:31:14 +0000 http://localhost:8888/?p=3079#comment-23038 Here are some we found helpful: http://nicoleandmaggie.wordpress.com/2011/12/08/life-changing-books/

#2 is a fan of The Happiness Project.

]]> By: Laura https://lauravanderkam.com/2013/01/defense-self-help/#comment-23037 Fri, 04 Jan 2013 19:25:10 +0000 http://localhost:8888/?p=3079#comment-23037 In reply to hush.

@Hush- Thanks! What is amazing is how long and in how many various forms the Law of Attraction idea has been around. Sure, if you believe it you can achieve it, but it also helps to, you know, put in a lot of time and practice.

]]> By: Laura https://lauravanderkam.com/2013/01/defense-self-help/#comment-23036 Fri, 04 Jan 2013 19:22:59 +0000 http://localhost:8888/?p=3079#comment-23036 In reply to Bruce.

@Bruce- a whole separate article could be written about AA and other 12-step groups. I think Steve Salerno (who I quote in the article) writes a bit more about them in his book.

]]> By: Bruce https://lauravanderkam.com/2013/01/defense-self-help/#comment-23035 Fri, 04 Jan 2013 19:07:29 +0000 http://localhost:8888/?p=3079#comment-23035 Good article. The part about 12 Step groups rated more space – AA has been around for almost 80 years. Also a bit off, IMO. I can see why people think they promote a victim mentality, but in my experience, such a stance is not tolerated. And, unlike self-help experts who attract mostly a middle to upper middle class audience, 12 Step groups get people from all walks of life. Thanks for posting.

]]>