In the last 20 years or so, people have been buying self help books like mad. It makes you wonder what people did to survive all this time. It seems there is a guide out there for every possible situation, problem, or lifestyle. I know that sometimes we really need guidance with something, but I think the amount of self help books out there is just this side of crazy. Doesn’t anyone know how to do anything anymore without some stranger telling them what to do? And besides, do people really read the self help books that they buy, or do they become shelf help books?
I shouldn’t be so hard on self help books. After all, I wrote one or two myself. But there are really good ones and there are some that are just plain worthless. The funny part is that the ones that are useless are the ones that seem to be the best sellers. Don’t get me wrong. I realize that there are hard edges in life – and if you need help that you can get from a book – I think you should get it. However, there are some things that are common sense. You don’t need self help books to help you with those things. Give yourself a chance to think for yourself.
There are some exceptionally good self help books out there, however. For example, if you are living with someone who is abusive, is an alcoholic, or if someone has a life altering illness, you should get self help books to help you deal with what is going on. There are some situations and problems that really aren’t something we just know. When it comes to special circumstances like that, you need all the help you can get, and self help books are certainly a good first step towards healing the problem or situation.
The next time you see a self help book, either use it or pass on it. Just don’t let it become a shelf help book.