There are some people who pooh pooh self-help books, and perhaps it is true that for them reading is not the ideal way to make improvements.  Perhaps some of them don’t think they need to improve, so I won’t argue with “perfect” people (Who could win an argument with a perfect person, anyway?)

I came across this interview with writer-director Judd Apatow, commenting on his first time as a producer and how he learned to manage teams:

The first job I had was creating The Ben Stiller Show.  I was 24 and had no idea what I was doing, so I read all these Stephen Covey books like The Seven Habits of Highly Effective People.  They are actually really good!  I haven’t read them since, but I have to say, all the answers were in there.”

Just for the record, reading self-help books is not the best way to make a change in your life. Reading is only part of the equation. When we read, we get information. When we read, we get motivation. But all that is for naught if we don’t follow up what we read with action. Make a plan. Take one step at a time, and keep taking the next steps.

Reading self-help books is nt alone the way to improve your life. But they sure can help.