Well first off, I can’t say that I’ve read any “self-help” books. I would hope that some self-help books are being published with the intent to actually help people, rather than fulfill a “Mr. Ethics’esque” quota. I will say however that I have read a lot of “how-to” books. If self help books are anything like how-to books, I have this to offer: I personally notice that even if I have the world’s greatest “how-to do a handstand book” I won’t get any better at doing handstands unless I myself put in the time and effort required (maybe there should be a self help book about discipline…)
I think that self-help has to come from inside the individual (thus the “self” part…) Whether that be the perseverance required to accomplish a goal, the initiative to start pursuing said goal, or just the realization that such a goal is possible to attain, it all has to start with the individual. While it is true that going out to buy a book that will supposedly “help” you attain a goal requires initiative, I’m just pointing out that I have quite a few how-to books on my shelf and not a lot of accomplishments to show for them. This would lead me to believe that I have enough initiative to get the book, but that books alone don’t accomplish my goals for me. I could read a book a hundred times, but until I try and fail at my first hand stand, I won’t get any better at handstands, I’ll only get better at reading about them.
Being a music major, my life revolves around practice… Sometimes I hate practicing, but other times I’m very eager to learn a new piece (or instrument for that matter.) The trick for me has always been knowing how to press on through the hard times, to get to the goal that I seek.
Anyway, I think that self-help books may contain the information needed to better one’s self, but that it is ultimately up to the individual to accomplish their goals, not up to the book.
