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Have you ever been helped by a self-help book?

Yes. Time Management for Dummies. I took one tool from that book: a task list. I use a legal pad of paper to write down all my different projects, or if those are complex, into tasks within the project. Each day I look at the list. Anything that is completed, I put a line through. I pick the most important task off the list to work on first. If something stays on my list a long time, I try to delegate it or simply realize that it doesn't need to be done after all.

When I get three pages deep with some straggling tasks unfinshed (3 pages ago), I consolidate all those tasks onto the current page, crossing them off their former page after I copy them forward.

The book also caused me to clean up my desktop, and to organize my desk drawers better. I have more work to do in my office, because I've let some of those lessons slide. But the book was worth it just for the Task List idea.
 
What exactly is "self-help"? I've never agreed with the concept that you can get self-help out of a book. If it's self-help, don't you have to do it yourself? If you get help from a book, it's not self-help....it's help! And no, I've never gotten self-help by someone else's words from a book.
 


<< What exactly is "self-help"? I've never agreed with the concept that you can get self-help out of a book. If it's self-help, don't you have to do it yourself? If you get help from a book, it's not self-help....it's help! And no, I've never gotten self-help by someone else's words from a book. >>



isn't that from george carlin or something? i know i heard it before...
 


<< Yes. Time Management for Dummies. I took one tool from that book: a task list. I use a legal pad of paper to write down all my different projects, or if those are complex, into tasks within the project. Each day I look at the list. Anything that is completed, I put a line through. I pick the most important task off the list to work on first. If something stays on my list a long time, I try to delegate it or simply realize that it doesn't need to be done after all.

When I get three pages deep with some straggling tasks unfinshed (3 pages ago), I consolidate all those tasks onto the current page, crossing them off their former page after I copy them forward.

The book also caused me to clean up my desktop, and to organize my desk drawers better. I have more work to do in my office, because I've let some of those lessons slide. But the book was worth it just for the Task List idea. >>



No offense intended, but a Task List is one of the most basic of organizational skills. I can't imagine needing a book to teach me how to accomplish such a thing.

Which is what my opinion is of most self-help books these days: publishers contracting authors to write books on how to do things that most people already know how to do but don't because of the weakness of human nature and then seek out a book in hopes of salvation while the publisher makes mega $$$$.

I myself am writing a self-help book on how to never need to read another self-help book. 😉
 
well it's pretty much a classic in the world of self-help books, but nevertheless, "The Road Less Traveled" by M. Scott Peck has probably been the one book that has really changed my life. Anyone who's fed up with the struggle of having to choose between "science" and "spirituality" and has a willingness to change (a prerequisite to getting anything from any self-help book) would do well to pick this one up. I can't recommend it highly enough.

Another one I got a lot out of (more in an organizational perspective) is Stephen Covey's "Seven Habits of Highly Effective People".

l2c

 
Many of these books have tons of useful information in them. The only thing is, you actually have to apply the information to your life in order for anything to happen. The books simply provide the tools. If you don't use them, then you'll accomplish nothing. But there are many people who have used self-help info to completely turn their lives around.
 
About six years ago I bought a book on "How to build a computer". This was not a self help book, but I think I may need to find a self help book now on "How to kick my computer hardware habit". 🙂
 
I've heard other people recommend _The Millionaire Next Door_, but I haven't read it. I think it is a book about getting rich slow i.e. sensibly. Actually, I learned the most about personal finance by reading Andrew Tobias' books, starting with _The Only Investment Guide You'll Ever Need_ (which was followed by _Still the Only...._ and then _The Only Other..._). Those books were titled to attract the get rich quick crowd, but in reality are solid books about sensible personal finance.

Definitely check out any book by Andrew Tobias.
 
Yeah lots of financial books. I have read about just about every type of investment, how to save, etc... And I even got my broker's license because of it. I am in way better financial shape than when I started out. My family knew nothing about investing when we grew up, so it was up to me to change it, ie: self-help.

And I read 7 habits of highly effective people, and use it everyday. Read some others, they help but mostly common sense. After you read a couple you begin to figure things out without needing help.
 
I had to relearn some alegbra for a college exam after many years and a review book I bought was real good. It was a good refresher, wasn't that hard, and prepared me for the test real well.
 
Technically a person who is helped by a self-help book, really isn't helped by the book - they help themself. Therefore, nobody is actually helped by the self-help book. It only seems as though they are. Thankfully I've never had the need to read one, as I'm in great health and of sound mind.

It's time to feed my pink pet cow now..
 
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