Advantages and Disadvantages of the Self-Help Literature

By Rolando José Olivo

The self-help literature is a complex and abstract topic, which goes beyond reading books, having new knowledge and using them in a practical way. In this approach prevails a learning process to “be and stay in the world”, in order to face the problems and solve them if it is possible. Even more, there are five premises that mold self-help:

1. The principles and moral values are flexible, according to personal and cultural criteria.
2. Resistance to change is a natural tendency of the human being.
3. Extraordinary results require enormous efforts.
4. People always must be optimistic (no matter what happens).
5. As human intelligence and creativity have no limits, personal improvement is an endless process. Therefore, it is necessary to make small investments to be continuously updated and no one can claim that there is nothing left to learn.

Although self-help has advantages and disadvantages (exposed in biased radical opinions), the richness of some self-help books confirms the innate capacity of people to explore new frontiers, and contribute to the progress and development of humankind.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Rolando José Olivo
• Release date: Nov 13, 2018
• ISBN: 9781370535514

Rolando José Olivo

[e-mail] Instagram: @rolandojolivo Systems Engineer with 3 postgraduate degrees: Master's Degree in Applied Economics, Diploma in General Management and Specialization in Management of Social Programs (Summa Cum Laude). Work experience in companies in the oil sector, occupying these positions: Planning and Logistics Manager, Project Coordinator, Financial Advisor and Consultant. Consultant in the economic and financial area. Writer of books on economics, management, self-help, novels and Christianity, among others.

Book preview

Advantages and Disadvantages

of the Self-Help Literature

Copyright © Rolando José Olivo, 2018.

ISBN 978-1370535514.

5th Edition, 2018.

USA: Smashwords, Inc.

Self-help and Religious Book,

published in Spanish, English and Portuguese,

also available as print book.

First published in Spanish: Ventajas y Desventajas de la Literatura de Autoayuda (2018). USA: CreateSpace.

Translated by Rolando Olivo.

The cover images are from the Public Domain (available in Pixabay.com).

INDEX

I. INTRODUCTION

II. THE BACKGROUND OF SELF-HELP

III. THE CONTEMPORARY ENVIRONMENT OF SELF-HELP

IV. THE FUNDAMENTAL PREMISES OF SELF-HELP

V. ADVANTAGES AND DISADVANTAGES OF SELF-HELP

VI. CONCLUSIONS

VII. RECOMMENDATIONS

VIII. BIBLIOGRAPHY

I. INTRODUCTION

Self-help is one of the most read literary genres and includes innumerable topics related to self-improvement and personal-professional growth. At least 18% of the books sold are self-help texts and this literary style constantly competes with the best-selling books (the novels).

This publication aims to provide an overview of the essence of self-help. In this regard, the content is divided into these sections:

II. The Background of Self-Help.

III. The Contemporary Environment of Self-Help.

IV. The Fundamental Premises of Self-Help.

V. Advantages and Disadvantages of Self-Help.

In Chapter II. The Background of Self-Help answers to these questions are sought:

What is self-help (meaning)?

What is behind self-help (background)?

Broadly speaking, self-help is a vast issue that exceeds the official definition (method that can be applied by oneself), which is broad, imprecise and transcendental, being more than a literary genre. Really it is a cultural, social, literary, philosophical, ideological and even religious movement.

Likewise, the self-help literature is a complex and abstract topic, which goes beyond reading books, having new knowledge and using them in a practical way. In this approach prevails a learning process to be and stay in the world, in order to face the problems and solve them if it is