Providing inspiration through the written word is seriously big business. Globally, self improvement books and inspirational magazines are now a multi-million dollar industry; and with more people turning to literature to help change their lives, the trend shows no sign of abating.
Self improving literature first emerged into the mainstream with Dale Carnegie’s game changing book; How to Win Friends and Influence People, opening people’s eyes to the power of motivation via the medium of the written word. Since then, the industry has blossomed, and it seems that, in the 21st century, we’re all relying on material such as CBT self help books, spiritual publications and inspiring websites to change our lives for the better.
Does it Really Work?
Literature is surprisingly pervasive. It is natural human instinct to be motivated by what we see around us, and written material forms a significant part of what we are exposed to on a daily basis.
Self improvement books can be remarkably effective when it comes to challenging mind-sets and re-setting behaviour. In particular, the recent increase in popularity of CBT self help books (Cognitive Behavioural Therapy) suggests that literature is particularly effective in helping people to re-establish their notions of ‘accepted thinking’ and behaviour, and to adopt alternative attitudes to important aspects of their lives.
In general, readers of inspirational magazines and books tend to appreciate the helpful guidance, and more often than not, actively seek to adopt the suggested practices to enjoy enrichment and contentment in their lives.
Where to Start?
There are so many self improvement publications out there, that it can be bewildering knowing where to begin. For example, spiritual magazines (UK and US, the main markets for self-help publications) are plentiful in the stores, and knowing which one to start with can be tough.
Think about the following before investing your money:
- What do you want to change? For example, if you recognise that you’ve become entrenched in a negative mind-set, then CBT self help books are an excellent option, helping you to challenge your behaviour and re-train your responses to certain situations.
- What ‘tone’ inspires you most? Some people prefer a laid-back, conversational approach. Others prefer something more spiritual, with a focus on providing help and guidance.
- Have you got a goal? Many self help books focus on helping the reader to achieve success in an area of their life, such as relationships or business. If your goal is specific, search for a publication that reflects this.
Ask others for their opinions, read reviews online, and start developing your self-help library, joining countless other people who have discovered that self improvement really can make a difference.
