The “self-help” industry sometimes has a negative connotation associated with it. But why? Sure, if it is “scammy” I can see why people scoff at it. But for legitimate self-hep books, why would anyone criticize you for trying to improve your life? If you tell someone you’re reading Harry Potter, Jack Reacher, or Dune, do they care? No. But if you mention reading about business, leadership, or self-improvement? They often criticize. They wonder why you would do such a thing. Why should it matter to them what you read (or if you read at all)? It shouldn’t. If they try to put you down for trying to improve your own situation it is a reflection on them, not on you.
Continue reading. Continue striving. Be sure to include fiction and nonfiction books alike in your reading list. When I first started reading for pleasure, it was all fiction or narrative form. Then I swung completely to the opposite end of the spectrum to read as much as I could about business, leadership, and real estate. But just like anything in life, there should be a little more balance. Studies show that reading fiction can help you become more empathetic, because you are getting in the mind of different characters and feeling what they feel. Not everyone thinks like you and it’s good to rediscover that. But don’t only consume the “empty calories” of a good fiction book. I view fiction novels like ice cream. It’s a treat, not the main course. You need to get the bulk of your “nutrition” from books that make you think and help you grow.