Definitely books, I'm an avid reader. Not really a self help type, like my soul, emotions or making more money. More of a hands on fixing things type. I wouldn't buy anything from one of those 'Improve My Inner Peace Chakra' gurus.
I stopped paying attention to these many, many years ago once I learned that these people who are trying to make a buck telling me how to live my life don't actually know much at all (other than some having good marketing skills).
I stopped paying attention to these many, many years ago once I learned that these people who are trying to make a buck telling me how to live my life don't actually know much at all (other than some having good marketing skills).
I used to read them years ago. They all start out stating clearly what your issues are. But then they go off on some weird solution.
The best you can hope for is to better understand yourself and what's motivating you. Sometimes that's all you need. Your mind is capable of solving your own problems once it knows exactly what the problem is.
I have to be away from situations in life to be better able to see myself and others who were around me at the time to better understand what was going on.
I was depressed at one time and I picked up a book called Feeling Good: The New Mood Therapy by Burns. Burns was a practicing therapist and had experience helping patients better understand the traps they put themselves in unwittingly and how to unravel and understand the thinking patterns that keep us there.
That's the only book that ever significantly helped me.
Reading a self-help book feels productive, but true change comes from consistency in sticking with habits that support goals, even when motivation is low.