Self-improvement is a multi-billion-dollar industry. With it growing at an average of 5.6% every year, its value is expected to reach $13.2 billion by 2022.
In terms of demographics, the millennials account for most of the sales of personal development books (printed or otherwise), the download of self-help apps, and the use of personal coaches and motivational speakers.
The distrust of the millennial generation in traditional institutions has pushed them to become more self-reliant and self-sufficient. It’s an admirable trait, but some pieces of advice from so-called experts should be taken with a grain of salt.
If you’re on your journey toward self-improvement, below are the misconceptions about self-help you should dispel to become a better version of yourself.
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Table of Contents
There’s Inconsistency in Performance Constitutes Inferiority
Many people feel guilty about not performing at the highest level at all times. Somehow, many of us have the impression that variability in performance is a weakness, something that makes us inadequate.
The truth is: even the best of us aren’t invincible. They also experience ups and downs.
An excellent case in point is Michael Jordan, arguably basketball’s “GOAT.” MJ didn’t earn his legendary status without failure. He doesn’t have the distinction of being named the Most Valuable Player the most number of times, nor does he own the most championships in history.
Despite his greatness, “Air Jordan” wasn’t always number one across the board. Someday, LeBron James (or another player we haven’t seen yet) might dethrone him in the minds and hearts of fans around the world. If it does happen at some point, it won’t hurt Jordan’s legacy on the court.
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Other People Make Effective Benchmarks
As humans, we’re subconsciously wired to protect our self-esteem. Comparison can be a thief of joy, which is why we tend to look at our less successful peers instead of “winners” to shield ourselves from negative feelings.
If you want to gauge your improvement, don’t stack yourself up against others. Avoid valuing your progress based on their achievements, for someone will always be better than us. And we’ll never be pleased and content.
There’s nothing wrong about analyzing what others are doing right and wrong for our betterment. Life is a never-ending process of trial and error. No one has figured things out. Let’s learn from each other’s lessons and be the model for one another.
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There’s One Strategy That Can Work for Everyone
Not every technique is guaranteed to help us improve. Some of us have unearned advantages, while others are richer in experience.
We must survive every situation to give ourselves a chance to improve. The key to survival is adaptability, a vital characteristic the extinct lacked, and the existing has and must continue to possess.
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Focusing on Solely on the Ultimate Goal Is a Recipe for Success
A war is won by a thousand battles. It’s essential to plan steps toward attaining your ultimate goal. But if you’re fixated on the outcome, you’ll likely fail along the way.
It’s imperative to keep your eyes on the prize so that you won’t lose sight of your goal. However, you must concentrate on the task at hand. Find what’s rewarding in every given activity to hit or exceed your target in the end.
Not every piece of self-help advice can be of help. Grab the opportunity to pick the brain of the brightest minds on the planet, but master the art of identifying what makes sense to your situation to improve.
