I’ll get straight to the point.
The biggest problem with self-improvement books is the inaction that follows.
That’s not the fault of the author, that’s the fault of the reader.
Being obsessed with self-improvement and actually changing your life are two completely different things.
Most never bridge this gap, and that’s a massive problem.
Let’s talk about it.
The Myth of Passive Transformation
Consuming self-improvement content is one of the sneakiest forms of procrastination there is.
Why?
Because consuming self-improvement content makes you feel like you’re doing something worthwhile.
It makes you think you’re becoming a better person just by reading the book.
And you know what?
You are doing something worthwhile when consuming that content.
But your inability to act on what you’ve just learnt is what makes the entire process a complete waste of time, delaying your progress further.
James Clear’s Atomic Habits has sold more than 15 million copies.
How many people do you think actually took the time and effort to implement what he talks about in the book?
I’m one of the many who didn’t.
Because at the time I was reading it, I was just rushing through it to get to the next self-improvement book that’s promising to change my life.
And this is the promise we are sold.
A promise that within those pages lies the answer that will change our lives forever.
A simple solution. A quick fix.
(I just want to put a footnote here that I think Atomic Habits is an excellent book *when implemented correctly*)
The Illusion of Quick Fixes
What’s the best way to market a product?
Tell someone it will make their lives better by saving them time and/or money.
What’s the best way to market a self-improvement book?
By telling them the same thing.
But if you’ve been on the self-improvement journey for quite some time, you’ll know that quick fixes simply do not exist.
What you read in a book is not going to make you a better person.
But Implementing what you read will.
The difference?
Reading it takes two seconds. Implementing it makes you feel uncomfortable and takes a hell of a lot longer.
You and I both are both intelligent enough to know what we need to do to become a better person.
We have to sit in silence with our thoughts, try new experiences and meet new people, eat good quality food and move our body, make ourselves uncomfortable regularly and do things we’re afraid of.
And we have to do all that continuously, especially when we don’t feel like it.
And that, right there, is why people are always searching for something easier – and why self-improvement books are so popular.
Doing all that stuff is hard.
Reading a book is easy.
But I’d argue that we already have all the knowledge we need to become better.
Reading self-improvement books may teach you a few more things, but it certainly won’t help you improve your discipline – the one skill that will actually lead to a much more fulfilling life.
Implement What You Learn
You have the opportunity to use self-improvement books in a way that truly benefits your life, it just requires more effort.
One of the self-improvement books I remember most fondly is Dale Carnegie’s How To Win Friends And Influence People.
This is because I actually started implementing what he talked about in the book.
He mentions the importance of remembering someone’s name – something that stuck out to me because I sucked at it.
“A person’s name is to that person, the sweetest, most important sound in any language,” he said.
The following week I made it my mission to introduce myself to new people, ask for their name and actually try and remember it for the next time I saw them (I even wrote it down in my Notes app).
I also tried to maintain eye contact during these conversations, another tip Carnegie mentioned in his book.
This entire process made me uncomfortable.
But this entire process made me a better person.
Yes, because of something I read – but most importantly because of something I took the time to implement.
Taking Ownership Of Your Own Journey
The title of this article is harsh, and I’ve certainly ripped on the self-improvement genre a bit.
I haven’t even mentioned how self-improvement books are usually just a series of short blog posts that have been bloated with useless waffle to reach the 300+ page count, but I digress.
I do believe there is a place for self-improvement books and content in general, when used correctly.
I would, however, encourage you to try and shift your focus away from seeking external solutions, and instead take ownership of your own journey.
I mentioned above how you and I already have the knowledge we need to improve our lives, and I genuinely believe we do.
I don’t want to lie to you.
There are no quick fixes, there is only hard work. I wish it wasn’t this way, but it is.
If you want your life to be better, you have to do things you don’t want to do.
If you’re excited and motivated to consume self-improvement content – that’s a red flag.
Most of the stuff that will make you better won’t be enjoyable.
When you get to that point, you know you’re doing something right.
Just keep going, and eventually it will become easier.
