Why 'Self' Might Not Be The Thing That Needs 'Help' - Addiction To 'Self-Improvement' And How To Maintain Results

I wrote this article back in June 2019 for M2 Magazine, not because I have anything against the 'Personal Growth' or 'Self-Help/Self-Improvement' Industry. If it is delivered by ethical people who genuinely want to help (rather than just line their pockets by spouting a bunch of hype, hollow inspiration, and no substance that preys on the minds of those who are vulnerable and desperate) it can be very useful and life-changing. Much of it is great stuff, very helpful, and I should know as I spent over a decade teaching it to thousands of people!! So I know deeply and personally the value of it and the flaws of getting addicted to it as 'the answer' to life's satisfaction.

This article was more about highlighting the flaws and inherent dangers in thinking this approach to finding satisfaction and happiness in life would last over time without some serious attention to deliberate practice, accurate thinking, and building the right environment (we call it an Influence Ecology) required to maintain the results we achieve. These results all too often seem so fleeting and short-term after the inspiration, excitement, and enthusiasm wane post-course, seminar or book, etc that had us 'believe' we can 'be and do anything.' I find many people selling and delivering this kind of stuff aren't willing to have their participants 'check their own excitement' and warn them of getting too inspired or enthusiastic before they rush off with their newfound 'personal power' to take on the world, often falling short once the wonderful cascade of neurotransmitters subsides and reality takes hold...(see my M2 Magazine article called Beware The Excitement Trap if you want to dive into the neurochemistry of excitement, and how it can be a danger to us in the marketplace.)

I digress...back to the article...

Personal growth – aka self-improvement – is a multi-billion dollar industry, however, according to MarketResearch.com, self-improvement programs are less popular today than you may think. Consumers looking for more practical programs and a return on their invested time/money have found that self-oriented and highly subjective programs and philosophies have overpromised and underdelivered.

M2 readers are ambitious business professionals working on some lofty financial and professional aims while challenged with trying to live a more balanced life. The juggling act grows more stressful daily as technology speeds up our need to perform.

The self-help industry promise to make things faster and easier by simply changing your attitude or 'believing you can do it' is more found incomplete. Don’t get me wrong – I love the high from a motivational moment or rally – who doesn’t want a quick fix to the everyday objective problems of life?

But all-too-often, when the high fades, we find our 'self' staring at our 'self' in the mirror knowing we are about to face the sabretoothed tiger of the market – one more day. Maybe the 'self' isn’t what needs the 'help.'

It’s important to grow and improve our 'self' but perhaps it’s missing part of the solution.

Ironically, I spent over a decade teaching personal growth to thousands with many satisfying results. However, from personal/professional experience, we also continued to suffer when thinking that doing more work on our 'self' - being more inspired, positive, motivated, aware, self-expressed, think/dream bigger, manifest etc. - would somehow be the access to results.

Over the last 10 years of studying Transactional Competence?, I’ve learned that to consistently achieve our aims/aspirations, create happiness and experience real satisfaction, our 'environment' and its influence on us matters. We need to build and maintain 'Influence Ecologies' and recognise and move away from 'Conspiracy Ecologies'.........(For more read the full article here Full M2 Magazine Article)

Lot's more M2 articles at www.drewknowles.com

If you've read this far (and maybe the full article) and you are an ambitious business professional like me that has done ALOT of 'personal growth' and 'self-help/improvement', but still found that in some areas of life you are not achieving what you want then consider this...

You’re lying to yourself. 

Tell the truth; you’ve tried and tried but nothing really changes. You busted your ass but something is missing – and why does ‘the other person’ have more success than you? You work just as hard (or harder), and you’re just as smart (or smarter). You're still not satisfied in some areas and what you already know just isn't getting you there...

There is an “X Factor” and it’s not what you think. It’s not about bolstered confidence, repeated affirmations, or walking on hot coals. It’s not about the right idea, an ancient secret, or a stroke of luck. To hell with luck!

It's NOT taught in business school, yet it is knowledge that must be learned. It is a skill that must be practiced. Those who have it are wholly satisfied. Those that don’t, struggle.

What is IT?

The ability to see every human interaction as a series of exchanges you can influence.

The skill to start a new business or manage an enterprise as a series of exchanges you can control.

The capacity for you to be wholly satisfied across many Conditions of Life?.

IT is Transactional Competence?.

Join me on May 17th at QT Hotel in Auckland for an immersive and intensive one-day workshop in Transactional Competence.

Details and Registration - www.influenceecology.com/influential-u-auckland/

Overview

In this powerful one-day workshop you will be introduced to a proprietary framework to accelerate your influence, results, and satisfaction. This practical training will help you face the behaviors, practices, and naiveté that keep you from satisfying your health, career, and financial aims. You will learn strategies for overcoming these barriers and will begin to see a pathway for whole-life satisfaction.

Who Will Benefit?

Ambitious business professionals that are business owners, executives, and managers that want to achieve more, faster - with less friction and dysfunction. Those who seek elite-level satisfaction and the achievement of their life goals.

Register Now