The Point Is to Stop

The best way to judge the usefulness of self-help advice is by how many people eventually leave it behind. It’s time to stop.

This is a Mindf*ck Monthly newsletter from December 13, 2021. Every month, I send out big ideas I’ve been chewing on and stuff I’ve enjoyed reading that month in the hopes that it makes you less of a shitty person.

Let’s dive right in.

The Point Is to Stop

Years ago, I wrote an article that claimed the best way to judge the usefulness of self-help advice is by how many people eventually leave it behind. In it, I boldly claimed that if self-help advice actually worked, the industry would quickly go out of business. After all, if the advice delivered on its promises, then you wouldn’t feel the need to constantly read another book or attend another seminar.

Predictably, a lot of people hated that article. People nitpicked it to death. I eventually took the piece down because I don’t think my arguments were fully formed and my points were delivered about as delicately as a sledge hammer in a china shop. But I still believe I’m right. And I’d like to take another stab at it today.

Over the years, I have found that people who seek out self-help do so with two very…