What do you feel about all the self-help, self improvement, advice, personal development books and materials that are out there?
Are they all just out to get your money?
Do their advice prove useful even?
Has anyone ever gotten any benefit out of them?
Which ones do you think are the genuine ones and which ones do you think are snake oil sellers? Dr Phil? Tony Robbins? Brian Tracy?
2006-08-02 04:18:29 · 7 answers · asked by Mohamad Latiff 2 in Arts & Humanities ➔ Books & Authors
No doubt much or most of it is simply taking advantage of a market, the needs of individuals who are consumers. "They?" Now having said this, I don't think it's ever helpful to throw everyone in one category with out carefully examing the common qualities of the category.
I don't watch television, so I don't know who is Tony Robbins ror Brian Tracy. Dr. Phil, I've heard good things about him. Why shouldn't they be out to get money? "My money?" They're Federal Reserve Notes, that's not my money it's the government's. Just kidding. Aside from that, you know that a prevailing culture in our economy is capitalism and free market thinking. So of course they're out to make a profit. In a capitalistic sense there is nothing wrong with that.
Should you as the consumer be discerning and cautious? Yes, of course. Should we have watchdogs? Maybe too. That's why there are boards to regulate practices with ethical, moral, and legal constraints in mind.
However, perhaps a more interesting question is, Can you or I benefit from any of this? I think it's better for a person to read or watch self help than to not try to help his or her problem.
If you feel Dr. Phil or anyone like that is doing something wrong, you should write or call the sponsors, write or call Dr. Phil, and let them know how you feel. Be part of the solution, not a passive member of the audience. Use your voice and your critical thinking in the way you see proper. Then you will have become a leader.
2006-08-02 04:35:17 · answer #1 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
We should not try to justify the motives of the authors of self help books. Most self help books are beneficial to people if they actually get motivated and act on the advice. Certainly, many people have been helped by self help books. The real help comes for an individual when they act on the advice. The author can plant the seed of improvement with information, but only when the information is acted upon does it benefit someone.
2006-08-02 11:37:14 · answer #2 · answered by ruthie 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Personally, I dislike Dr. Phil, but I don't really know why. I haven't had much experience with the others.
It's my opinion that most self-help books are temporary fixes. I've noticed that they rarely change behaviors over a long period of time. Some that I've read have given me things to ponder, but I don't think they help as much as some people think. After all, if they did, eventually there'd be no market for the books because we'd all be fixed, right?
2006-08-02 11:25:59 · answer #3 · answered by pelotahombre 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Dr. Phil & all those are business men, they wanna make money, what we are doing is a free & honest public service.
2006-08-02 11:28:14 · answer #4 · answered by BHANU V. RAVAL 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
It really depends on YOU.
Self-help needs self believe.
If you don't have it, whatever book you read will not work on you.
2006-08-02 11:45:33 · answer #5 · answered by weyeris 1 · 1⤊ 0⤋
never used self help books..when I quit drugs I just put them down one day and never went back.. many are shocked that I've never had rehab or outside help.. I just gave it up one day...lol
2006-08-02 11:41:17 · answer #6 · answered by TimeWastersInc 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
i like them
2006-08-02 11:29:57 · answer #7 · answered by Hades, Depressed & Dangerous 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋