There are just so many self improvement philosophies, so many self help books around. I have been one of those who attend just too many self improvement seminars and read many self help books.
I do not discredit these experts and philosophers, in fact, I believe their theory and philosophy emerges from their own experience and motivations. Some goes through difficult times to discover what works for them, others seek to understand the meaning of life. I believe that not all self help philosophy works for everyone, in fact, I believe that there is just one or two philosophies that we can identify with throughout our life, which is useful to us.
How do we know if that philosophy is the right one for us?
Firstly, identify your needs and your goals. What is your needs and goals? Is it the same now as in 10 years ago? What do you want to achieve? Is it getting a better job, improving family life or building a relationship?
What are your value system? Do the philosophy conflict with your value system and your beliefs? Do you believe in entirety the words of the self improvement philosophers?
I have gone through many self improvement philosophies and I have narrow my lists to three. There were many experts I have sought but they were only applicable to my circumstances then. The sources of self improvement philosophies that have stayed with me are Fables and Parables, Dale Carnegie; How to win friends and influence people; Books by Og Mandino like The rag picker, The greatest salesman in the world.
Fables and parables are part of my growing up education. How can I forget the moral behind the tortoise and the hare;being slow and steady wins the race or the story of a crow trying to drink water out of a pitcher. Such ancient wisdoms should be self improvement philosophies to accompany us throughout our life. We should remind ourselves of such basic values when things aren't going well.
Dale Carnegie's How to win Friends and Influence people is the first book to help me get started in the working world. His philosophy inculcate basic wisdom of treating people well, he is properly one of the first people to advocate emotional intelligence.
Og Mandino's philosophy is based on the truism of self. With Christian connotation, his books make me realised that I am the only person who can make me a better person. His ten scrolls from the Greatest Salesman in the World speaks about loving oneself and loving others, overcoming obstacles and living.
There are many sources of self improvement philosophies. Do not feel despondent if the one you are reading don't seems to be right for you. Follow your intuition as you go through the books and the synopsis, you will find the self improvement philosophies that is right for you.