Chris,
I need help, please.
I have read countless books on self development but it looks like I am not making any progress. The more I read, the more I feel that I am in solitude.
What’s going on here and what can I do about it?
Signed,
Bookworm
~~~~~~~~~~
Well, Bookworm…it may be a couple of things…
One, you’re not approaching this with a specific goal in mind.
Two, in a nutshell you’re experiencing information overload.
Let’s tackle each one.
If you’re reading a lot of “self development” books, I suspect they address a lot of different areas in which you could “develop.” For instance, mindset, actions to undertake or avoid, behaviors to improve or not, etc.
To get the most out of this self development journey, it’s best to clarify what you want to improve…first.
I often advise clients to dig into their mindset, first.
Why?
It will affect everything else. How you choose to approach anything, with a clear, strong mindset, will make the result easier to attain.
- What, Bookworm, is your goal?
- What do you really want to accomplish?
And…most importantly, what’s getting in your way.
When you get clear about the “first” self development aspect you want to take on, then you can narrow your selection of reading materials to address it.
You won’t lose anything by doing so, you’ll actually save yourself time and effort. In addition, which is why you’re doing this in the first place…you’ll achieve tangible improvement!
While what I’ve described has also addressed the second point, there is something else to highlight here.
When you consume a boatload of content, one of two things can happen.
You’re not sure if you’ve “found” what you’re looking for or may completely overlook it.
Or, you’re unable to connect the dots.
There are so many great nuggets of information we come across in this self development journey; that if you don’t use them right away, you forget that you learned something new to use.
Then you’re off on another leg of the journey…losing the lesson.
If you aren’t able to see the “connections” in things, you’ll miss the ways in which one thing often leads to another. Let me give you an example.
Recall earlier, that I said mindset is the most important? Well, if you’re struggling with procrastination say, and not getting things done that need doing…what’s going to help?
Your mindset.
If you’re struggling with a behavior that you want to stop, what’s going to help?
Your mindset.
If you’re struggling with starting a business, moving your career forward, etc. what’s going to help?
I think you get it.
But if you’re reading a lot of books about ending procrastination, stopping a behavior, building a business, growing a career, etc. you may not realize that the thing that’s needed most, is developing your mindset…first.
I absolutely applaud you for the desire and enthusiasm for reading, Bookworm!
More people should invest the time and energy in it. So please don’t take this as a suggestion to ONLY read one book, or about mindset alone.
I want to help you focus on connecting the dots and to see what cuts across every self development aspect of our lives…and to get THAT as your keystone first. It will unlock every other aspect for you, easily.
Read on, my friend!
~ Find the gift!
If you have a question, challenge or issue that you’d like me to respond to for this blog, simply email me. I will respond to as many as I can and you will remain anonymous.