You know how it is when you go to be the subject of a psychology experiment, and nobody else shows up, and you think maybe that’s part of the experiment? I’m like that all the time. (Steven Wright)
The difference between psychobabble and useful psychology is never obvious to everyone. Some self help books are dangerous. They actually help people AVOID helping themselves. Many others just depend on you.
Let’s compare a self-help book to a match. I can light a match on a window, my pants, a fingernail and my teeth. Some people can barely light a match using the strike pad on the matchbox. If someone cannot light a match on their teeth, it doesn’t mean the match is bad. It doesn’t mean the person is bad either. It just means they can’t light a match on their teeth.
Using a self help book can be a lot like lighting that match. Just because a book works for someone else, but not you, doesn’t mean the book is bad or that you are bad. I have a whole list of books that helped me at various times in my life. But, that was because they were the right book at the right time. If they are of no use to you, wait awhile and they may be.
The difference between psychobabble and useful psychology is often timing, need and preparation.
Here are some books that I’ve found exceptionally useful. All are available from Amazon. They are in no particular order.
- Looking Out For Number One, Robert Ringer (Relationships that work)
- Winning Through Intimidation, Robert Ringer (How NOT to be intimidated)
- Action! Nothing Happens Until Something Moves, Robert Ringer
- The New PsychoCybernetics, Maxwell Maltz (Freedom through reality)
- The Power of Positive Thinking, Norman Vincent Peale
- How To Stop Worrying and Start Living, Dale Carnegie
- How To Win Friends And Influence People, Dale Carnegie
- Man’s Search For Meaning, Viktor Frankl
- Feel The Fear And Do It Anyway, Susan Jeffers
- Think And Grow Rich, Napoleon Hill
I’m always looking for more great books to read. I’d love to get your list of the most life changing books you’ve read.
Something To Do Today
Make a list of books you would like to read. My personal “to read” list currently has about 40 titles. I read and listen to 1 to 6 books a month.