Has anybody of you benifitted from self help/improvement books?

[slicksilver]

Its all in the title.

 

[grohl]

Bible works pretty well.

 

[Flyback]

I don't buy into "self help" per se (too much stigma attached with Tony Robins, The Secret and the likes), but I think some books can show a methodology that helps you improve (as far as your goals are concerned) in a PRAGMATIC manner (not some snake oil The Secret crap).

A book I picked up and have been meaning to read is called Getting Things Done. I've heard it is great. Going to read it after exams are finished.

 

[Babbles]

I have been reading 'Getting Things Done' which so far has been the only self-help type of book I have ever purchased. I like it so far and have attempted to implement some of his changes in my business life; for example he recommends to get everything out of your head and into some sort of filing/note system. Sounds easy and simple enough, but after I really started to think about how much crap I try to memorize every day ranging from hair-cut appointments to where projects are I realized how much junk I have kept in my head and not written down anywhere for reference.
David Allen, the author, also understands that traditional task lists really are no longer applicable because all it takes is one email or phone call to totally screw over your to-do list.

 

[lokiju]

Originally posted by: Babbles
I have been reading 'Getting Things Done' which so far has been the only self-help type of book I have ever purchased. I like it so far and have attempted to implement some of his changes in my business life; for example he recommends to get everything out of your head and into some sort of filing/note system. Sounds easy and simple enough, but after I really started to think about how much crap I try to memorize every day ranging from hair-cut appointments to where projects are I realized how much junk I have kept in my head and not written down anywhere for reference.
David Allen, the author, also understands that traditional task lists really are no longer applicable because all it takes is one email or phone call to totally screw over your to-do list.

Sounds interesting, I'll have to check it out.

 

[edro]

Affluenza: The All Consuming Epidemic

It talks about a wide range of things, but the main points are: Americans over-consume, Why we over-consume, Why over-consuming will not make us feel better, the environmental effects of our consumption, etc.

It is a good book to open your eyes to some of your spending habits and your consuming impact on the world.

It has helped me see that you do not NEED that new toy or gizmo, as it will become old soon and you will stop using it. It tells how you will never be happy just by buying new things. (You know the story, about lottery winners and rich people not being happy)
It teaches that the true source of happiness with all cultures and all civilizations is human to human and human to nature interaction. (Getting back to nature)

It also encourages you to do activities that give you a sense of accomplishment.

I have read it numerous times. I read it when I start to feel gluttonous again and go shopping for a new gizmo.

 

[NuclearNed]

The 7 Habits of Highly Successful People by Stephen Covey is a good book. I got so much out of it once that I actually read it again.

 

[ppdes]

Does "Jim Cramer's Real Money: Sane Investing in an Insane World" count?

 

[49erinnc]

I highly encourage anyone in a relationship, freshly out of one or hoping to be in one, to read Gary Chapman's "Five Love Languages." Personally, I think it should be required reading for couples before they walk the aisle. You will learn a TON about yourself, your significant other and what both of you need in order to truly be happy, as well as make others happy. There are several follow-ups to this book but just read the original.

FYI: you can find it in most Christian sections of bookstores but please don't let that steer you away because it's not really a religious book. The author has written several Christian-based books and that's the only reason "Five Love Languages" is in that section. It's strictly a self-help/relationship book.

Five Love Languages

 

[y2kc]

The Five Things We Cannot Change: And the Happiness We Find by Embracing Them (by David Richo)

calmed me down quite a bit. not an easy read at times but doesn't insult with over optimistic psychobabble...

 

[yhelothar]

www.stevepavlina.com

 

[spacejamz]

A guy goes up the counter at the bookstore and asks, "Where are the self help books?"

The employee behind the counter replies, "Doesn't that defeat the purpose?"

 

[ShotgunSteven]

The Only Investment Guide You'll Ever Need

 

[pontifex]

Originally posted by: rajkanneganti
Its all in the title.

you might benefit from a self help English book...

 

[jemcam]

benifitted

Dictionaries and spell check can be considered self help and they work quite well.

 

[thirtythree]

Originally posted by: y2kc
The Five Things We Cannot Change: And the Happiness We Find by Embracing Them (by David Richo)

calmed me down quite a bit. not an easy read at times but doesn't insult with over optimistic psychobabble...

I think I'll give this one a try. Thanks!

 

[MercenaryForHire]

I suggest "How To Stop Being Such A Whiny ***** And Quit Blaming Your Problems On Everyone But You" by MercenaryForHire.

It's helped many of my friends.

- M4H

 

[ShotgunSteven]

Originally posted by: MercenaryForHire
I suggest "How To Stop Being Such A Whiny ***** And Quit Blaming Your Problems On Everyone But You" by MercenaryForHire.

It's helped many of my friends.

- M4H

Get the limited edition that comes with a free kick in the arse!

 

[SViper]

Dale Carnegie's "How to Win Friends and Influence People." It's a very helpful book in understanding how to deal with people and how to make yourself "likeable."

 

[Anghang]

Road Less Traveled by M. Scott Peck

 

[Alienwho]

Originally posted by: SViper
Dale Carnegie's "How to Win Friends and Influence People." It's a very helpful book in understanding how to deal with people and how to make yourself "likeable."

I was just going to post this. This is the only 'self help' book worth reading, and IMO it's in a class all of its own. It's an extremely entertaining, eye opening book that tells you what you already know but just don't know it.

 

[Vic]

Self-help books are legion. Some are good, most are bad, all of them require that you believe in them in order to work.

My favs off the top of my head:
Life 101 by Peter MacWilliams (basic common sense self-help without the BS)
Dig Your Well Before You Get Thirsty by Harvey McKay (simple guide to networking)


Simple tips: be positive and open-minded, and ALWAYS place yourself in other peoples' positions when dealing with them. Intelligence is the ability to communicate (or how else would people even know that you're intelligent?) and proper communication is the key to success in every imaginable aspect of human life. I cannot stress that enough.

 

[everman]

I read getting things done, it's a good book with a good "system". It gives you ideas on how to stay organized and focused and getting things done more efficiently, but if you try implementing everything he talks about it gets a bit onerous.

 

[CraKaJaX]

As George Carlin once said: "How the hell are they self help books when they're written by someone else?"

 

[Vic]

Originally posted by: CraKaJaX
As George Carlin once said: "How the hell are they self help books when they're written by someone else?"

At the risk of abusing an often-abused catchphrase, why re-invent the wheel?

No seriously, we are no smarter than those people who have come before us. In fact, the only thing that separates us from our cavemen ancestors is the knowledge that has been accumulated from experience between then and now.