Why I Stopped Reading Self Help Books

[@AccordingtoNicole]

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[@chrisgraythereal]

This video reminds me of a friend who was raving about a book called Getting Things Done. I asked him to summarise it, and he replied that he hadn't finished it yet! 🤣🤣🤣

[@tudormiller887]

Happy 2025 Nicole. From 🇬🇧 👍 Wowsers! I can't believe Trudeau resigned. Was it long overdue ?

[@rutaa3957]

The one good thing I done this New Year I quit smoking , 10 days so far 🤞

[@AccordingtoNicole]

🙌🏼

[@elijaprice]

I literally just commented about quitting smoking! If it helps at all, the book 'Easy Way to Quit Smoking' by Allan Carr was what did it for me, you should be able to pick it up for very cheap used, or from the library. Good luck, all the best, you'll feel much better, I promise.

[@Jumpman67]

That’s awesome!

[@learningisfun2108]

Congrats. This is probably the best thing you can do for your long term health.

[@bobbiejo4u4]

Please share how you did it!

[@scottjackson163]

One thing I did, just “did” without setting a goal: quit drinking alcohol. Three years last November without alcohol.

[@blairdenholm4167]

Congrats. Me too! Four years for me. My drinking got to dangerous levels in 2020 (you know, when the thing happened!) and I had to quit or or booze was going to kill me.

[@leahaf808]

One of my new years resolutions was to not get any more gym memberships and either take a bike ride walk every single day, barring illness or injury. It's going well so far!

[@lordsalisbury1]

I often think of the Alan Watt's quote about feeling guilty - "Don't feel guilty, just don't do it again". Same for goals I think - don't make a goal, just get on with it.

[@drmodestoesq]

Problem with Watts is that he was a chain smoking alcoholic who died relatively young.

[@matthewsemenuk8953]

One of my professors said there are three types of people: Talkers, Watchers and Doers.

[@AccordingtoNicole]

I agree

[@pastramionrye247]

Nope there are 10 types of people. Those who know binary and ...

[@capnkirk5528]

A different take on "Lead, follow or get out of the way!"

[@AccordingtoNicole]

@@capnkirk5528 I prefer "Evolve or die. And be quick about it."

[@capnkirk5528]

@@AccordingtoNicole I really like that one. I do believe I will appropriate it, with thanks.

[@JoshuaTrinityWolf-dc4up]

Nicole I did 30 years of self help books until I realized that I was making them rich. These books just tell you what to do and use psycho babble. The short cut is doing a diary everyday which is as powerful as any therapist. You talk and the diary listens and you see patterns emerge in you life and even in your dreams that record your strongest emotions. The other thing people suggested is to read Biographies that tell you about adversity, not giving up and how people over came problems and won.

[@Quist1852-wt2vj]

Read all you want. Just make sure you get the books from the library! 😊

[@coffeecupconversations]

#devilstuff

[@TrulyTara86]

I clued into this a few months ago and unfollowed every self help “guru” on social media. Just like the beauty industry , these people are getting rich off our low self esteem. It’s ridiculous ! No more .

[@IzzyOnTheMove]

It's do what they say, not what they do. None of those follow their own advice. 😆

[@IzzyOnTheMove]

You can't take the Nicole out of the CyNicole. UnCynicole wouldn't be Nicole. 😆Happy New Year. I'm not settign resolutions, I am adopting new habits. Make it happen!!! 👍

[@Duncman92]

The simple key to success is SHUT UP AND GET STARTED!!!!!!!!!

[@makalu877]

So True!! It's that simple

[@Whisk1290]

@@makalu877 could be less simple if it continues and you're used to put it off

[@TES-541]

More important than all the self help books combined is social support. Want to get healthier? Get you and some friends to go to the gym together every day, or ask your friend who knows how to make great tasting meals for some recipes, or text a friend you trust when you feel frustrated etc. everything is easier when you realize you don’t have to do everything alone. You might need to take the actual actions, but we all are going through similar things and all get huge boosts just by the support and love.

[@Madchris8828]

Yeah but that countradicts out hyper addicted social media addicted and individualistic culture. Why try to have friends to work with when you can be addicted to tiktok or insert whatever? Why make connections when you can just pretend everything is okay? 😂 (we really have to change how to the majority of us are interacting these days)

[@Jumpman67]

I do read the occasional self help type book but it’s not because they motivate me. It’s usually for informative reasons. The literal steps on how to do something.

[@shelleybuckingham733]

I've been reading Miranda Hart's new book I was gifted at Christmas, called I haven't been entirely honest. I have to say that this book has already helped me tremendously with my chronic illnesses. It's about being content, doing stuff that makes you happy and not being a slave to industry and creating those stresses in your life that make you ill. I used to play guitar and recorders, flutes, trebles ect ect. I've just today decided to buy an instrument to get my inner child back, to have fun and self indulge in some fun. I totally get what you are saying though Nicole. You are a very wise bird👍

[@jerryfrate6214]

My old design teacher told me it's 10% inspiration and 90% perspiration !

[@hraith]

You are on point. My side hustle poofed into existence when I finally got customers and produced actual work for them. Everything before that was just good intentions. I am now between seasons and have a mile long list of things to complete in preparation for next season, chief among them being a dedicated website. The productivity block now is that the website has to be perfect. I am living a textbook example of "perfection is the enemy of progress". It's an excuse to procrastinate.

[@greenmanatee6462]

I have never read his books but did listen to Dave Ramsey on the radio. His plan helped me, I had been paying extra on my student loans but you couldn't even see a difference. So I paid off the smallest student loan first as he says to do, it completely motivated me. Then I switched to tackling them by highest interest rate, not what Dave says to do, but gotta use the brain God gave me. I have no debts now

[@bearzlla]

I love that you touched on the prospective business owners. There are so many wantrepreneurs out there that talk a big game but never take the first step. Sometimes you just gotta go for it and see where it takes you.

[@seltzermint5]

I agree. I also find it extremely amusing how many women I know just selling crafty items on the side or "flipping" furniture and antiques & making a decent profit while others talk BIG and align themselves with sketchy MLMs so they are not actual business owners or making any money at all, but want to seem successful. I know someone who calls herself an author and she made just 350 dollars on her writing last year. In the past when I was underemployed I would make around 6k through my side hustles, no one heard about it.

[@emc6511]

wantrepreneurs --- 😅

[@Madchris8828]

True. Best have a fall back plan though if s**t hits the fan though. Most of the (truthful) entrepreneurs will talk about having a second plan

[@reimeiohcreatorforhire]

I’m still wondering on how much of just doing it to earn money for myself if I’m on two different Soc Sec benefits/food stamps/ Medicare and have a limit on assets. Even applies to part time work but then having my own mental health issues is the reason why I’m on benefits, so it’s working on that and how not to have people easily influence you, even if it’s your boss.

[@bearzlla]

@@Madchris8828 yes to a certain extent, but at some point you have to take the somewhat irrational leap and make it work out somehow, without getting caught up in the concern about failing and having backup plans for something that hasn't even failed yet. Probably a good idea to save up some cash before taking the leap though so you have more time to get things going.

[@elijaprice]

I agree with all this, with the honourable exception of the book 'Easyway to Quit Smoking' by Allan Carr - I wasn't even planning to quit smoking when I read it, but it worked, and I haven't smoked since. So for me, that was one self-help that had a profound impact on my life. (and hats off for saying 'Mercury' when you could have made a cheap 'Uranus' gag that occurred to me).

[@omalleysmith9100]

Same! I bought this book on a Saturday, read it on Sunday and Monday. Was a HAPPY non-smoker by Tuesday. That was April of 2014. Haven't looked back! I also had no intentions of quitting when I did, I just thought that reading that book couldn't hurt, and might help.

[@elijaprice]

@@omalleysmith9100 Congratulations! It's amazing isn't it, for me it was February 2014! And the only reason I read it was because one of my sister's friends was trying to quit at the time, and she had the book, I like books, and I'd never heard of it before and was just intrigued, so I borrowed it. Went from 20+ a day to 0 in the space of a few days. Allan Carr really should get some kind of recognition from the Pope or something, but unfortunately he died in 2006.

[@thisismyyoutubeaccount3322]

@@elijaprice What made that book so effective?

[@LittleLu609]

Yes, I couldn't agree with this more! My husband was trying to quit smoking for well over 10 years trying other methods that just straight up don't work. Longest he's ever been able to go was 2 months without smoking but then like clockwork something stressful would happen that sent him right back to smoking. Well the last time he tried to quit by tapering nicotine, he was really struggling and I had the epiphany: we're trying to do something that we straight up don't know how to do. There must be a book on it. So I type quit smoking into Amazon and that's the first thing that pops up, I click on it, and the reviews are all 5 star and overwhelmingly amazing. So I bought it for him while being very confused and intrigued about what it was going to say in it. Took him 2 weeks to read it and he's been a non-smoker since August 17, 2024 - almost 5 months now. What blew my mind the most is that with quitting by Allen Carr's method, THERE WAS NO WITHDRAWAL. Unbelievable! He would always have the worst withdrawal symptoms with other methods. This time he quit smoking is COMPLETELY DIFFERENT from all the other times he's quit smoking; I know he is not going back ever. There's been countless stressful things that have come up in the past few months that 1000% would have sent him back to smoking, but he has no desire to go back. I'm really happy to hear that you read the book in 2014 and it's been 11 years; that's a huge testament to how well it works!! For others that haven't heard of this book before, I would summarize it by saying that the book teaches you what you need to know about nicotine to understand that nicotine does nothing for you, and that naturally allows you to quit. There's no buying any products, no nicotine substitutes, you just read this book and quit without withdrawal.

[@elijaprice]

@@thisismyyoutubeaccount3322 It's the way it gets you to think about smoking. After all "quitting smoking" just means 'never putting a cigarette in your mouth and lighting it', which isn't a difficult action to perform. Rather than focus on how tough it is, he focuses on making you realise that the cigarette doesn't relieve the craving, the cigarette CAUSES the craving. People who never smoked, never feel that way. There's a little monster in your belly called 'nicotine addiction', and if you stop feeding that monster, he starts dying, and he knows it and will make it unpleasant for you, but all you have to do, is wait. Psychologically, Allan Carr just hit on a way of making you realise that the cigarette is the cause of the problem, not the solution. So just remove the cause, and you're free already.

[@matthewterbeek3128]

This video has some great ATN moments 1. Mouthing WTF 2. Nicole saying, "New Year, New Me" 3. Yes, do a video about your favorite worthiwhile books!

[@jolenetwomey8280]

Yes! She said, "New Year, New Me," in a way that made me think of Ratatouille.

[@ebikescrapper3925]

Self help books are good for learning new words to put in work reports and sound like you know what you are talking about.

[@GhostC10]

I chipped away at those awful habits holding me back, one bit at a time. I'm slowly being a better, more productive person than I was yesterday. There's no magic bullet, just gotta get stuff done. Good video!

[@IRONWEED_]

In my early twenties, I read a few self-help books on cognitive behavioral therapy (most of them from the public library) when making the transition from graduate school (and possibly a life as a professional student) to full-time employment. I took from them what I needed and left it at that.

[@Jas93Productions]

I remember telling my friend I never saw a fit person with a Fitbit.

[@waynehendrix4806]

Nicole, you pointed out one of my pet peeves about government intrusion on entrepreneurship. There are so many agencies in the US, that can't wait to swoop in and claim you needed more paperwork. It's a huge detriment. They make event the most honest people nervous, even thought we know it's by design.

[@samuelbrainsample]

I started a decluttering project just yesterday because of you and your channel. The fact that it happened to fall on the new year is coincidental. Wish me luck (and motivation to keep going forward)!

[@devorahfriedman7502]

Very true. Just do it! I started a small business out of need. Did not over think it.

[@ElAgustin]

Nice background, Nicole! Looks very complete.

[@AccordingtoNicole]

Just a different angle 🙂

[@rickschlosser6793]

I like some of the self help books I’ve read. (Wealthy Barber is awesome) I’ve even read rich man/poor man. He said basically what Nicole is saying but he takes a whole book to say it. I retired early and my income never fell, but do I credit the books?? I don’t know. I grew up without much and just wanted my freedom, which I now have. Nicole is right about the ‘just start’ attitude. Doing anything is just stringing a bunch of smaller jobs together. You just start and tackle one thing at a time until you are there. There is no magic formula. If you don’t start you’ll never get there. My goal last year was to try to learn Spanish. I’ve been studying every day for a little over a year now. We will see how well I’ve done on my annual 2 months in Mexico very soon!

[@learningisfun2108]

Let me caution people about starting a run program. I’d advise against using an old pair of tennis shoes. And I’d advise against going too far and too fast on those first several runs. You will injure yourself,morning will just be too hard and you’ll give up. Please, start slowly and think long term! There are lots of excellent “learn to run” programs out there (the Running Room is a great source). Your goal is to not quit, so take it easy. And be sure you have a decent pair of shoes. Running is hard on the feet and knees so you need to slowly build your tolerance. Give your body time to respond and build strength. I hope to see you out there!

[@mixerman24]

You make the point that many people figure out how NOT to do something rather than expending energy on how to get something done. This is how you talk yourself out of it. Figure out how to do it. Whatever "it" is.

[@cathyosullivan718]

Hi Nicole, Please make the video about the most helpful books you read! Thanks!

[@dianawilde417]

Glad you did a video on this topic. I wasted 20 years on dozens of self help books that amounted in more and more anxiety. Until i went cold turkey. I am more at peace now.

[@liesbethbos3049]

True! Thanks. I tell people this; "Just because we talk about changing something doesn't mean things change." It is a false feeling of "action" Every action needs to start with something (a book, podcast, idea, need, inspiration, whatever) but then you indeed need to move to get it done. And back to (free lance) work for me, you were my lunchbreak today :-) Thanks Nicole, I love your content.

[@mezalos]

I wanted to start a new project but got stuck choosing the perfect notebook to do my blog draft. Things got serious when I decided to use Google Keep.

[@SpartanOfFinance]

Last year I set my goals to lose 10 pounds and Max my 401k. I lost the 10 pounds but I was never able to max the 401k due to some unexpected expenses. This year I am back to getting that 401k maxed and a bigger emergency fund. Fingers crossed.

[@nu385]

It's fear. Studying up and buying is the safe known. Taking action is the scary unknown.

[@blairdenholm4167]

Hey, you've nearly got 100K subscribers. Well deserved. I remember when you started with just a few. Keep going, Nicole, you are a legend!

[@marcdc6809]

I guess there's some 20/80 rule in there, read up on 20% of the knowledge, get started and while you're registering progress and encountering problems you look up more information and adapt. In my case it's gardening and keeping chickens, you get started and learn from mistakes. An example: first year I planted a seed of zuchini end of april in the outside bed, it worked, but then while having 'a stake in the game' I was much more eager to learn and then found out that you can plant a seed inside end of februari and then move this to a covered bed outisde end of april and you get two months of good harvest extra from that one seed... bottom line: once you get going and have 'a stake in the game' you're much more likely to make good use of the information you get, learn from mistakes, just be careful not to overspend on the initial investment, keep a decent reserve to be able to jump on newly found occasions.

[@mfrankel8321]

Really Sage advice! People who want to achieve their goals don't need a date in order to do so.

[@rhondalyn100]

Whoop! Whoop! You've made it (well, close enough!) far enough along to look forward to that uber cool silver play button! Congrats, young one, and best wishes for continued success on the 'tube! Love your cynical nature but, mostly, love your content. Middle Tennessee here...cheering you on! 🙂

[@brianbogholtz9485]

A decade ago, I had a New Year's resolution to drink craft beers from all around the world. I wanted a goal that was guaranteed to work. Even though I stopped drinking a couple years ago, that resolution was the most fun! 😂

[@veronikayup]

I don't do new year's resolutions, but I do make lists of things I need/want to get done. And then I just whip myself into starting to do one thing. And then another. And cross them off my list, and get positive feedback, and that motivates me to get further.

[@WALKINGTH3TRAIL]

I'd love to know what books you read Nicole. Great video, thank you.

[@CassieDavis613]

Happy New Year to you and Levi.

[@ronm6585]

Thanks Nicole. Happy New Year.

[@3xAudio]

Very true! I started taking action last year. Pushes the confidence even more to grow. X

[@michaelelder3945]

Yes, I would like you to do an episode on your book recommendations. I also enjoyed seeing that brief clip of you performing with your guitar. I have taken my guitar and harmonicas out on the street here in Monterrey quite a number of times and I have a small following here. I believe there should be a balance between learning and doing to move forward. Some learning is book learning, but then you need the experience to complete your education. ¡Feliz Año Nuevo!.

[@seltzermint5]

I think it's so interesting the way different communities see busking. In my small city they would tell any buskers to move on and arrest them if they didn't comply. In tourist friendly towns just 1 hr away it's encouraged and considered normal and fun for anyone to perform on the street.

[@michaelelder3945]

@@seltzermint5 Why would I want to play on the street in a small city? I don't stick around where people are hostile. It's their loss, not mine.

[@seltzermint5]

@@michaelelder3945 I agree, I meant it's crazy how from town to town the attitude varies so much.

[@EvanYeahMe]

Hi Nicole. Thanks for another year of interesting, useful and funny videos.

[@MathsAintMathing]

"because.. new year new me!" That took me clean out 😂😂😂

[@bandita2068]

I think it stems from fear of failure, people rather spend 99% of time researching to convince themselves that the information they gather will lower the risk to very acceptable level. Not seeing the mountain which just becomes visible once taking action.

[@davea691]

Just put up my new blackout curtains that I have had for few months. Decided to install these curtains with the two inch holes on the old "I" shaped rail just to see how i liked them. Will install the large horizontal bar later as they do a good job of blocking out the morning light. In

[@eyecyou84]

Nicole...thank you. This was just the kind of swift kick in the pants I needed to get serious about implementing ALL of the information I've been consuming over the years and doing NOTHING with. I've made some progress but not nearly as much as I could have because I'm like your friend....finding all the reasons why I CANNOT begin. My mother was a woman who STARTED and didn't wait for approvals, she just got things done. I feel like your video was a message from the Heavens from her to stop all the worrying and get to it! Again, thank you.

[@MonsterNewfie]

I resemble this description. I know too much and act too little

[@PatriciainOz]

Thanks for this and reminding everyone about you gotta start before you have to this or that. Self Confidence is invaluable.

[@veilgray9586]

Happy new years lovely :) Oooh! Video about your favourite reads - yes please!! :D Great video, as always! Thank you!

[@terrydegrave5234]

Yes! Would love to see list of books you liked!

[@1Gr8Editrix]

I find that setting a specific date to start (not necessarily Jan. 1) can help. It may be your birthday, a holiday, retirement. But ultimately anything requires focus, discipline, and self-sacrifice.

[@draugno7]

I usually start/stop gradually. For example, when I want to eat less sweets, I skip them for one day, then eat them, then for two days, etc. When I watch no buy videos, I also don't set unrealistic goals - went for low buy but not no buy, etc

[@funkyduckproductions.8844]

I've watched a few videos from your channel now. Never commented. But I have to say your one smart lady!

[@greyghostgamerz]

I wish I could remember where I heard this but I find it so apropos to this video's topic: "Do you know why you never see commercials for Lambos or Ferraris? It's because rich people aren't watching TV; they're too busy making themselves rich!" 😉😎 As for the "business" part, I was working F/T until I realized how unappreciated I was. Then I went "freelance" after the 9-5 to work another shift somewhere else. Then when the "somewhere else" offered semi-regular work, under a "contract", then voila, I was now a business, as well as an employee! 😁 I got a tax accountant who could help figure out the whole income/deductions/write-offs thing the following Feb and bang; taxes solved. My lesson learned was this; don't worry about the details until there are details to worry about! 😜😁👍

[@elizabethhamilton1166]

"New year new me!" 😝 Blech! Lol.

[@bluesteel48]

Happy New Year Nicole !

[@BenIsFiguringitOut]

I’ve decided not to buy any more self-help books because I feel like it’s the same shit packaged in different ways. I’ve concluded that it’s time to APPLY what I’ve learned vs continuing to accumulating information.

[@GregMacDougall-m3n]

I suffer from these habits too. As we continue trying to better ourselves, we get closer to accomplishing our goals. ''No one can ever try to hard or care to much''. Said by actor Steve Guttenberg.

[@j-bola]

The thing that fills people with dread is failure as well as being confronted with the trail of mistakes that got you to that place. A lot of people are, for many many reasons, not resilient. Yes, the amount of successes that come without trying is zero, but some people need more than just a kick in the pants to get them along, they need guidance, support and reassurance. And some people get that from self-help books.

[@jbt369]

They get Shubb capos so they can play in the lap of perfection.

[@starduck8014]

Happy New Year Nicole 🎉❤

[@TheArtofGuitar]

I first listened to Tony Robbins Personal Power 2 CD's back in the day. Changed my life. Every book I read now is just a re-telling of the same stuff. TR seemed to have a lot figured out ahead of the wave.

[@mwernli2886]

7:22 Yes, please Nicole. I‘d be very interested to know what books helped you the most/ you learned the most from.

[@Play-On7]

Not sure if they are self-help books but Steven Pressfield's trilogy (The War of Art, Turning Pro, and Do The Work) have changed my life! I started actively pursing my dream of being an artist last year and still going strong. I re-read the books every two to three months and they always give me fresh motivation to keep going.

[@marianfrances4959]

Happy New Year, Nicole! 👍😎🇨🇦✨️

[@clickbaitnumberone1403]

I ll spend this year buying some books to show me how I'm gonna achieve my goals the coming year, that's gonna be my plan now. I just need more information, in fact I need ALL the information that is out there.

[@tomhancock8184]

Mercury in retrograde refers to the phenomenon of the planted Mercury appearing to go backwards in it's orbit.

[@drmodestoesq]

That's why the ancient Greeks referred to the celestial bodies like Mars as wanderers. And wanderer in Greek is planatus. Same etymology as plankton.

[@TheBluSkyAboveYou]

It's difficult to sell products to others who are poor like myself.

[@ericamar1241]

Love this video. Yes, pls do a video about your favourite self help books. Thank you again

[@FamKamASMR]

To me, the concept of New Years Resolutions is just a reminder to re-evaluate your life and adjust accordingly, which you can (and should) do at any time of the year that you think to do so. But setting goals just because a calendar told you to isn't enough to give you lasting drive to follow through.

[@Ox_and_Ana]

I am thinking that the study about correlation between self help books consumption and actual progress will return the negative result. Simply because the only finite resource that we have (time) can be used on either or but not both simultaneously. Good thought to ponder about, thanks Nicole! Also impressed by your channel’s progress, fantastic job!!!

[@susanneh.7652]

I spilt my coffee, when you said “New Year, New Me” 🤣🤣 Very good video! 👏🏼 Happy New Year, Nicole! ❤

[@neicycombs3533]

You hair looks nice. Great information! Thank you😀

[@mr.mayhem1975]

Despite what stupid people say, there is nothing wrong with cynicism. It is an outlook that keeps those who follow it ready and able to absorb and respond to a disaster or tragedy in strength. Optimists are taken by surprise when something bad happens and are slower to respond, and in many cases, they become the perpetual victims of bad people and circumstances. Never apologize for your outlook. Its the one that allows you to survive while the optimists are continually being ground into the dirt by life.

[@andreav2125]

This is me 100%. 😳Perfectionism = debilitating insecurity.

[@8aemi]

Nicole noooo! I love the new year new me - it’s a great start and it fools me into thinking there is some mystical power to it, kind of like a placebo ☺️

[@joeyGalileoHotto]

Self-help books aren't helpful unless you really apply what you learn from them. For example, would you hire an engineer who is very smart in knowing engineering theory or one that can actually perform engineering? Or would you trust a chef that read a lot about cooking versus one that actually cooks? I think I would rather hire the latter.

[@NoSpin42]

Love you Nicole! Such wisdom and so young!❤❤❤❤❤

[@Optopolis]

It was years ago when I realized the new year resolution thing is mostly bogus. If it's a relatively attainable goal, then maybe it technically could and will happen, but that one thing isn't gonna yield drastic change. Although i do like considering the future a little at the end of each year, I don't set any significant goal that I can't accomplish easily. I choose goals as and when I find I need or want them.

[@MitarIzDubicha]

Just finished the ebook The Elite Society's Money Manifestation, and it gave me so many useful tips. Worth every minute

[@f0rth3l0v30fchr15t]

"Just 1 nugget of wisdom you're missing" I'm missing the whole damn McD's freezer of nuggies.

[@TechWest200]

Totally agree with you Nicole, pseudo-science self help never give's you want you need, it can give you ideas that you never practice - but it's not a solution. The 100% sure fire way to accomplish things is to just do the thing you want to do, no books, no psuedo-science crap.

[@writercard4]

Happy new year.

[@MP-lv5vk]

I think a good New Year’s resolution is a step 1 and can be recited like a motto. e.g. setting up automatic payments into a high-interest savings account for the “save money” resolution. And, just keep at it even after a set back.

[@MP-lv5vk]

My resolution is “no buy” and my step one was deciding what I consider essential (can still buy).

[@makalu877]

You're doing a good thing Nicole, keep going.

[@lastspring]

I'm here for my weekly life sermon from Nicole and I wouldn't have it any other way.

[@hivyfalou1393]

Finally someone said they're stupid only give us analysis of things to make people stuck, who would wanna analyze a situation and overthink it instead of just avoiding that thing, Duuuuh!!!

[@jolenetwomey8280]

At every gym I've ever belonged to, there is a period of two to three weeks of beehive-style busy-ness at the club right after January 2. It's pretty comical, and it trends back to normal by the third week of January.

[@mattb9664]

At some point I realized the Self Help books are really only helping to make the author some type of passive income. And they all get to practice their creative writing to an audience that is somewhat vulnerable and thus receptive. When you read the Amazon reviews for most of them- the common theme that comes up is extraneous information, sidebar rants and rambling instead of staying on the subject matter topics.

[@catherineagudo3847]

Happy New Year.

[@juanmanuellinares3083]

So the problem is not the material (books, videos, whatever), but the lack of implementation

[@PalHalsne]

BRAVO Nicole!! 👍

[@hillareads]

I agree with all of this. Sure, I'll read some nonfiction self-help books from time to time, but it's more to learn other people's perspectives. I think relying too much on what these alleged gurus think only leads to problems down the line. Quality over quantity, every time.

[@lukedrillbrain9850]

A good practice I've found is this. If you read some kind of self-help book, write down the steps you should take and put them in your calendar and then live it. Actually do the things you planned to do. You better your life by getting the info you need and then taking action from it, as Nicole points out. Here's another important thing I've learned: Perfectionism will sabotage your efforts. For example, I did what I describe above to lose weight, and it was working. I wrote out a workout schedule and planned my healthy meals, and things were going great. However, then I caught bronchitis, preventing me from working out. I was mad! I could not honor my commitment to those workouts until I got better. I therefore kept up with the healthy eating, but took it easy instead of working out, then resumed the workouts when I had recovered. If you hit roadblocks, it would be easy to get frustrated and say, "Oh, screw it," and quit. It was the same if I deviated from the diet via temptation. Instead of feeling angry at yourself and just going, "Oh, screw it," and then reverting to the junk food because you weren't perfect, it makes way more sense to learn whatever you can from any mistake, forgive yourself, and then take whatever action that furthers you to your goals (such as eating healthy food, resuming workouts, or whatever).