4 Reasons Why Self-Help Books Aren't Worth Your Money

Self-help books are overrated.

There I said it. It had to be said.

These books are popular. They sell millions of copies per year.

But are self-help books really helping people? Or are people reading these books as a form of productive entertainment?

The truth is, these books aren’t helping people. In fact, they are a waste of your time.

If self-help books were helping people, then people wouldn’t continue buying them year after year.

Everyone wants to feel good, be successful, and so on.

Self-help books capitalize on these universal human desires.

There’s always a new self-help book to buy.

Self-help readers are constantly looking for the next book that could change their life.

But they never find it.

Here are 4 reasons why you should stop reading self-help books:

1. Same content, different packaging

Most self-help books say the same basic things:

-Don't procrastinate

-Take action

-Be yourself

-Practice mindfulness

-And so on...

You've heard it all before. None of the information is new.

But the way that the content is presented is new.

You know the basic lessons the book is going to give you. It’s not worth your time reading when you already know what the book is about.

Isn't it boring to go into a book already knowing what the book is going to tell you?

2. Lack of actionability

Most of these books give vague advice. Or they give advice that's not practical for most people.

Vague advice inhibits actionability.

In other words, when advice isn't clear and specific, it's hard to know how to use the information. Advice needs to be specific to be able to be actionable.

Think of it like how you’d give your friend directions to your house. You wouldn’t tell them, “It’s over there,” or “Just drive for 10 minutes and you’ll reach my house.” These directions wouldn’t be helpful for your friend.

Instead, you’d give them clear and specific instructions such as:

Your address
The color of your house
Color and model of the car(s) in your driveway
And so on…

3. Productive procrastination

Most self-help books are what I call "productive procrastination."

This means that you feel like you're being productive by reading these books.

But you're really wasting your time.

Reading these books doesn't translate to you taking action, which is caused by the book's lack of actionability.

Instead of reading more self-help books, take action.

Meditate. Journal. Go for a walk. Take a cold shower. Do some breathwork. Etc.

4. Waste of time

If you're following self-improvement creators on platforms such as Twitter or YouTube, then you're getting the same content presented to you.

But it's much quicker for you to consume content on these platforms than to read books.

Reading these books is most often a waste of your time. Even if you aren’t consuming content.

Instead, read fiction novels.

Get lost in stories of adventure and heroism.

Explore fantastic worlds that only exist in the imagination.

Or read non-fiction books that teach you clear, useful information.

“Feel good” self-help books aren’t benefiting your life in a meaningful way.

Final thoughts

Self-help books aren’t helping you reach your goals.

Save your time and money by following me instead of picking up your next self-help book!

Plus, you'll get actionable content you can USE in your life from me.