Is Personal Development is a Scam?

[2fastg35]

that other guy is hating bad lol

[03iamhopeless]

i meant why should i buy books to have a good life ?

i can't think or is that i do not have any independence and i just need to think and act like the authors who had different perspective.

just to make money you cannot change a person's psychology.

[TheNicolaGrace]

Thanks for sharing this video it's a great one there's some important insight.

[mistersincere88]

This guy doesn't know what he is talking about. If it wasn't for Personal Development we wouldn't be the Land of Opportunity. We wouldn't have the Career's that we have now. He just has a grudge against someone in the Personal Development Industry and wants to take it out on everyone else...

[robbrightofficial]

Self help is a great way to go, trouble is you have to actually implement what you learn

[TNGlobalToday]

Great video...you should check out my videos. I haven't found ONE video as good as mine

[HomuncuIus]

There is nothing that needs fixing. If you want to help yourself, realize that there is nothing wrong with yourself. 

[songcovers]

I would say ... what goes in your brain comes out through your actions which determines your life and results.. so be careful what you put in your head

Also your efficiency is your own economy

self help is a tool for motivation, religion is as well. The part about being in the same place depends on the person buying the book... ect

[AUSNick87]

what's interesting is when successful people are interviewed and asked 'how did you become successful?' they generally reply by stating they were motivated, self-confident and determined to achieve... I can't recall any who have said "I read lots of self-help books!"

[silvernz666]

The REAL winner is the writer of the book: he's the one who makes milions :)

[RubiconJohn]

@HomuncuIus obviously you dont need any assistance with the direction you would like your personal development to go. i for one have benifited from what others have learned from their experiences. i can certainly see its not for everyone, there a lots of people who are happy to come home after work and plop down in front of the tv with a 6 pack of beer and watch the game. but for those who want more out of their life, self help books can help teach you the focus you need to get to where you want

[TouchingPerformances]

great stuff

[scoobydo]

BTW, I find Mark Hansen's glib comments like " hahahaha try incompetent" to be distasteful. He comes across as arrogant and condescending - not the kind of person I want to listen to.

[scoobydo]

To stay in shape physically, I must work out on a regular basis. I must also eat heathy food regularly, not just one time. Why would we expect to read a couple of books and it will change my life forever? It's a process, not a transaction. Nothing in life remains constant, we must replenish our minds from time to time. Having said that, there is a lot of junk out there so choose wisely.

[2submit]

@scoobydo so true

[jclarktec]

If the crap worked everybody would be a god damn millionaire and wouldn't need to buy the crap their selling anymore, but people keep buying the crap because they don't feel their "successful" that's what we have to realize.

[shelkinify]

reality is what you make it. self help is only what self will allow if you call it helpless then you as a self only believe in what YOU as a SELF will allow - "FIX" is not the issue I don't think you get this??? and your TOO realistic is so VERY true!!! because I will CHALLANGE YOU to please explain to me what is REAL !!!! if you can explain REAL to me MR. Steve!I wlll be happy to listen BUT I do NOT believe YOU can really tell me what REAL is.

[chrisMcG17]

Which guy would you rather feel like right there?

Andrew Carnegie went from 2cents an hour to giving away $365 Million back in the day. I think its wise to listen to him.

[5liq]

CNN - "Constant Negative News"

stop watching this channel, you'll only attract negative things. pick up a book and read something educational. "successful people do what unsuccessful people are not willing to"

[relentlessprogress]

The guy arguing agaist Mark is ridiculous. Thing about any self help book is that you have to do what the brand suggests...HELP YOURSELF. I or anyone else can sell you the best tools to get the job done but if you are not willing to use them; you've personally wasted your money buying them. Bottom line: the information will work if you work it.

[buddymuir]

Mark Victor Hansen is Awesome!

[PeterRoeder31]

The problem with self-help books is that they give a "technical" solution to something which is human and philosophical.

[Palakto]

Lol. "Do these things work?"

Listen to a tape. Youtube Tony Robbins right now. Brian Tracy. Steve Pavlina.

Just LISTEN to it. You'll understand that they're not selling you magic potions. They're telling you why people are successful, and teach HOW people become successful (in ever sense) so you can apply the same thoughts, ideas, and techniques. This isn't just some big scam that people are pouring billions of dollars into. If it was a big scam, these coaches wouldn have 30+ year careers. lol

[CountDOODOO]

I don't believe it's a scam because there are many people out there who do learn and become successful. However, I can understand his argument that sometimes self-help books alone won't help.

Many people mess up with self-help books because they fail to continually put the information into action. They assume XYZ book is good, but let me go buy another book because this other book probably will teach me the lesson and make it easier for me. They continually search for the easy route

[kuapo]

BTW.. labeling someone as a 'moron', before people even get a chance to hear all the arguments, is just the ultimate weakness in my eyes.

It's weak. It's unjust. It's fear in its worst form. Disgusting, really.

[kuapo]

This just seems like two animals fighting over prey.

Only difference is that they're humans.

They're just protecting their investment. Whether or not one of them is right is not relevant. It's in their interest, not in yours, so don't even start to defend one of them.

But I did love this remark: "They found something in the book that made me an instant guru in their eyes, which is the cult of celebrity we have. Just because you're a celebrity, doesn't mean you know what you're talking about."

[mastoring]

I think the other guy is gelous, and should learn more about other people's books instead of complaining that the other makes more money than him...lol this is just funny, just a constructive message to you, thanks..

[jw80malibu]

Yup.... wouldnt be who I am today without the knowledge of " Self Help" books, and I enjoy reading them over and over again, just like a great movie I've seen. Only difference movies wont change my life as books have.

[diamonddust22]

Firstly, if someone is convince that nothing works, and everything is BS then they've already made up their mind. You have to surrender to this mindset or you will always be a skeptic. You have to want change and enrichment. It's not going to be handed to you.

[mayorde18]

lol.... this is stupid... OF COURSE personal development is scam. The problem with this is: You read a book, and it has to fix your problem instantly. Is not about effort, and hard work. The book fixes your problem or not. You can't change your life that easily, it is books that change your life. You don't have control over anything. There will be always people that are called "self help junkies".

Solution: Buy Steve pavlina smart book. Period

[BogdanBocse]

Self help is this people's way of making money out of the mass' lack of perspective and education.

Want to become a millionaire ? Sure, write a book like this one and get a million idiots buy it. Like I did !

[susanshelit]

Lol, No pun intented when writing that sham author just didnt bother to remember his name!

[susanshelit]

Really, the only thing that Sham author is proving, is that the world is awash with money and anyone can tap into it :D.

Think of it: The industry is growing, more ppl getting payed from it and more money flowing to more ppl from jobs in that industry. Wonderfull really.

[MarketingTips101]

People of high self-esteem are not driven to make themselves superior to others. They do not seek to prove their value by measuring themselves against a comparative standard. Their joy is being who they are, not in being better than someone else, Stay blessed in all you do, D

[ggreat42]

@MarketingTips101 true anyway the people they are competing with is simply themselves, their standard

[achp400]

If it was not for personal power my net income would be less than 100k/y.

Not sure where I would be with out.

[kaisersoce07]

This guy Mark Hansen doesn't do much to legitimize his business in this interview. All that he's really doing is taking personal shots at the other guy instead of engaging in intelligent debate. He kinda comes off like a bully, an ass hole, and a used car salesmen. And at the end, all he really does is tell the audience just how much money he makes off of self-help readers. If you read between the lines, he tells you how it makes him rich. Complete Egomaniac.

[streettraining]

@kaisersoce07 Lol supply and demand bud - he wouldn't have sold that many books if there wasn't a market for it hey!

At the end of the day yes, he is making money from them - he's a businessman, fuck about he makes a lot of money - oh, he's a very good businessman... the personal development world is massive now and what these people provide truely works - the sceptics are those who don't do what these guys tell them to, don't get the results, then complain. We all have to work for it!

[kaisersoce07]

self-help IS a scam. It is an entire business built upon selling you the notion that you're not okay the way that you are. It's an endless process - if the self-help industry had it's way - you'd NEVER be happy with how you are or who you are. Because if you were, you'd stop buying these books. And if you want to feel better about yourself, stop buying into it. Know that you're just fine the way that you are. And that you're doing the best that you can.

[Danny4Aarch]

@kaisersoce07: You my friend, is an idiot. If what you are saying is true, why should some people pay for college/school? "Just fine the way your are"? Some of the world's top earners and leaders are readers of those books. You are simply, an IDIOT.

[kaisersoce07]

@Danny4Aarch Clearly, Danny4Aarch, college/school would be a good place for you to start investing some money (instead of the self-help business) if your comment here is an example of your command of the English language. "You my friend, is an idiot." <- really? THAT is your comeback? Bad English aside, clearly YOU have missed the point. Rather than defend the business, you call me names? Pretty weak argument dude. I'm sure Mark Hansen would be proud of you. Way to go.

[Juvantei1]

@kaisersoce07 Nobody should ever want to stay in the same place. That's called complacency. You can love your self self and accept that. But to say you never want to learn from anyone or anything to get better is just foolish and narrowminded.

[kaisersoce07]

@Juvantei1. I agree with you Juvantei1. And along with that, please note that no where have I advocated complacency. Absolutely, enrich yourself through learning. However, the self-help movement (i.e. the books that Mark Hanson authors/sells) does not actually advocate this sort of growth. They tell you realize your not good enough, and then to simply think good thoughts about yourself, manifest more money in your life and spend it all on yourself. This promotes a self-centered mindset.

[kaisersoce07]

@Juvantei1.  Mark Hanson's idea of self-improvement is simply buying more of his books and lining his coffers. If someone really wants to strive for self-improvement and for having a positive impact on other people - by all means, lean a new trade, or pick up a new hobby - do whatever you have to do to expand your world. Just don't believe that these things come without action or that they come with simply 'thinking good thoughts'. That's foolish - and honestly, delusional.

[Juvantei1]

@kaisersoce07 Perhaps you are the one that is delusional for attacking this guy. Nothing comes without first having the thought. So if you don't have good thoughts, you won't get good things.

What gives you the right to say he is just lining his coffers and hasn't helped anyone? Have you personally verified that or is that just your outlandish opinion? Are you rich yourself personally and very successful?  Or are you working at a average 9-5 job making 9$ an hour? Just curious.

[lacroa333]

Steve, you are making a full of your self!

Personal development... the word "development" means something...! Tell you the truth I feel sorry for you Steve. Cooper asked you a legitimate question is the Bible a scam?

[clintonskakun]

Get fixed? Some people read to improve not just to *fix* a problem. Life long learning takes more than 18 months LOL. This guy who opposes self-help literature is sick in the brain.

[ICanLeadYouToWealth]

Self Help isnt just about reading or learning and just waiting.

It's about putting into practice what you learn. There isnt one book that covers everything. Ofcourse you buy a book related to your particular issue. THEN you put what you learn into action.

Law of attraction is about focussing what you want and putting in place the neccessary action steps. If you don't put anything into action ofcourse it wont work!

[dgk990]

From what I have tried, I don't think it is a "scam" or "fraud." For one, I have tried astral projection and have felt the effects of it. Then I bought a book on "The Law of Attraction" which Esther Hicks described the same feelings as I was feeling when she meditated. At that point I know she wasn't lying. The buzzing feeling to numbness of the arms, legs, etc. was all real.

[killingangel707]

They BOTH present valid arguments, it is all what they are focusing on. I also detected a bit of bias towards the self help books on Andersen Cooper's part.

[xlazngarnettlx]

self help books are good to some degree, but we should definitely focus on the hard skills that can get us there.

[garciaparra22]

Personal Development is GREAT!!! It gets you thinking outside of that little box that we live in and helps you realize the many opportunities that are out there waiting for you. In the end it ends up being your responsiblilty to work on it and be consistent with it and apply it to your everyday life. Obviously if you don't apply it you wont see the change that your looking for, its just like anything else in life. "A car can't drives itself"

[MattFarr101]

Plus some people just like to intellectually masturbate with the info rather than actually apply it I think.

[MattFarr101]

I would argue at least some areas of PD empower us to change our thinking and awaken us so we are no longer dependent on things outside of ourselves for the happiness, love, freedom and fulfilment we are all seeking as human beings. Virtually every other product/service does not and simply keeps us trapped in the thinking that triggers us to buy their products/services.

That said; not all PD does, so he has a point to some degree.

[MattFarr101]

"these people are extracting money to the tune of millions of $s." A flawed argument IMO against against PD.

What he says is true of the food industry, car industry, TV, film, pharmaceutical, gaming industries, etc etc...in fact every industry that attempts to sell us services and products.

Essentially they all provide us with products we rely on as coping strategies for our "pain" and "problems" either to fix or mask.

[maxi1124]

everything we read is a self help book to some degree. Most fiction books have historical facts that increase intellect, a grade 4 textbook is self help. We should continue to grow and continue to read. I invest heavily in real estate and without the books I've read on the subject, which I consider self help books, I would be a bit lost. Many people can read the same books and get nothing out of them, others can read them and really "get it". Keep reading, and keep growing!!!!

[soyprospero]

The only thing here is that I find hard to believe that USA is the only country with PD books. Mexico, Colombia and many others have their authors and books. But, still...Success is not a destination, it is a road paved by Personal Development. Some books are capable of changing lifes and others are just trash. Just keep reading and doing. Nothin can be substitution for action!

[stalingrad66]

some self-help can do good

but a lot of authors have contradictory advice... you really can get lost in that and never achieve anything

[TheRoyNaim]

This is an INTENSE topic.

On one hand, self help can be disastrous and on the other it helped me.

So is it REAL?

It really is up to you. What do you tend to do with it. Here's an example. In the past, NYC Marathons opened registration for the lottery in January, 2 months after the race ended. This year, they opened it up the very next day. Why? Think about it..because the many who wish they were there, those who just ran it...everyone is going to run to it. Means more money.

[TheRoyNaim]

So, it really up to us. What are we going to do with it? Are we going to be consistent and always work on yourself? Or once in a life time event where you get high on life for the moment and go no where with it...

Your World.

[universalsoul77]

BTW whole thesis of this programme is wrong. Why say: "are all of theese self help books are actually hurting us"? Some of them do (majority), some of them don't (minority). You can't cure cancer with aspirine - it all depends on what book it is, and on the condition of the "patient". You can't send someone with serious disorder to read a self-help book ,and expect good result - you'd be deceiving yourself.

[universalsoul77]

There is some misunderstanding here. On one side you have something laying claim to solving all the problems and on the other someone trying to look at it with ciricism. Truth be told most of the self-help industry is doing exactly what Steve said - quick superficial fixes, for the real problems, that stay not solved. It's what I call overlays. I'm a huge fan of B. Tracy, for multiple reasons, one is, that he's sending people with psychological problems to the therapy first.

[bonethugsfiend]

just like you need a shower everyday, you need motivation everyday. That's why self help books are such a big industry.

[milliomoselme]

The demand comes first! Many people needed those books. They helped. It is your free choice to buy these resourches or not.

Other bullshit when you say: Bill Gates is so wealthy, so let's limit his wealth!

I think we should celebrate these guys, because they have given value to the world.

Don't be jelous.

Anyway... Steve's book doesn't cost money? :)))

Of course it does....

I would buy it, waste of time.

[TheMLMBroadcast]

we have a HUGE problem here people! There's to many god damn people reading to many god damn books!

This Steve Guy is a WASHOUT!

[boner1time]

Steve comes off more intelligently here in my mind. MVH is a bit of an arrogant sleazeball.

[beingther]

I dont need self help or a job I have the government taking care of me and you suckers are paying for it

[articulaytor]

1:24 - 1:43 .......sounds like the pharmaceutical industry;medicines that really don't fix the problem. Lets make a big deal about this problem on CNN. I guess CNN can't highlight that problem because these pharmaceutical companies pretty much own CNN.

[WalshSeminars]

The unfortunate aspect of personal development is that many people are initially motivated to change. They attend workshops, buy books and audio-video programs - and then the enthusiasm tends to diminish. I call this shelf-help.

Although Steve is correct in stating that many people are wasting their money, he is painting the personal growth world with too broad a brush. I know thousands of people who have turned around their lives with the assistance of personal growth tools. (BW)

[nkp0520]

If self-help is a scam, how come Tony Robbins has worked w/ people like Bill Clinton, Andre Agassi, the San Antonio Spurs, the US military, Chuck Liddell, etc

Also, if he was a fraud, why would he be endorsed by Nelson Mandela, Mikhail Gorbachev, Margaret Thatcher, Princess Diana, etc

Just like in any field, some self-help gurus are frauds. That doesn't mean they all are. Some doctors are quacks, does that mean you should boycott ALL doctors? Let's be serious! Salerno is just an idiotic hater!

[Lesqui66]

Steve is a MORAN if he thinks the things you read don't influence how you act or behave... wow!

[boxingin]

I agree with both guys.

You can learn something from a book but at the same time these self help books can become a crutch. We're a nation in search of something that does not exist: PERFECTION! So some of these books, according to their authors, will help you achieve just that. The perfect mate, car, house, job, income ect ect..

[ProducerRobbyJohnson]

wow

[EastcoastMann]

It is almost like saying that if I am in the computer industry I shouldn't upgrade my skills anymore after I completed my course.

Nothing in life is a quick fix. You must continuously work on yourself if you want to improve your quality of life or skills. We all get better over time and practice and to me that is what self help is.

You have guys like Tony Robbins coaching some of the most successful people in the world. So why not let him coach me to.

[ggreat42]

@EastcoastMann very very good advice thank you

[etypo]

You obviously lack critical thinking abilities. Look at the title. Attacking the critic: "Moron". You're all in the happy team of winners in life. Congratulations. Now go buy another self-help book.

[FrankieFrankenmeiste]

It's no more anecdotal, expensive or unproven that psychology and psychiatry... It can be a very expensive merry-go-round, just as psychiatry and psychology are... There simply is no ONE SIZE FITS ALL that's going to fix every problem of every person...

[AKAwisher1]

I get what Steve is trying to say - people often grab for "self-help" and become addicted to the "notions/potions" to temporarily or immediately sooth the "feeling" ailing them instead of confronting the problem. In reality there is no need to purchase this stuff, if one was capable of being 100% honest with themselves they could face and cure what is ailing them or stopping them from suceeding in all aspects of life. Just look at how life experiences groomed you to be who you are today.

[laatheekcha]

I think Steve needs the books most. We do spend bucks on food right? eat out at expensive restaurants... WHY cant we spend little on our mind? HOW can you let it be filled with Junks world dump on us?Its US who is responsible how you want to cultivate your mind. Actually, Its not even spending, its investing on yourself.

[BAWWSE]

I know the people at morningcoacch. com have changed my life....

Self help is real, you can improve your life.

[drlex]

Religion isn't extracting milions from people. Quite a shocking news to me ;)

[rebelynnya]

Hmmm, one guy is coming from a positive place and one guy from the negative, which one should I listen to???

[etypo]

LOL

[YoungDapper]

If the REALLY wanted to help......they would have provided their great inspirational help over the internet. Free of charge.......if one rally wants to help people help themselves....they should do it for free.

[spb884]

doctors, plumbers, psychologists, and teachers don't offer their expertise and help for free. What makes this guy different?

[LavaEagle]

@spb884 Yeah they do, all the time. Ask and thou shalt receive.

[AliciaMCross]

As with anything personal development will also receive both positive and negative reviews. It is up to us as individuals to make the decision to make up our own minds. Take control of our own futures. For me I choose to remove all the bad programming that has been installed on my "hard drive" (if you will) and install more productive and positive programming to help me move closer to my goals in life. He can keep his opinion to himself as far as I am concerned.

[pd4free]

Fax me your bank statement to 928-962-9080. You are a fool who knows nothing of success.

[savgames]

In reality Mark Victor Hansen was owned. The fact that you think the opposite shows why you're into this self-help world in the first place; you're not very bright.

[etypo]

True.

[RADIO1990]

yeah,steve sounds like a hater...he has no solutions.he did slam dr.laura though..to each his own.

[choices1111]

There's a difference between self-development and chasing wealth. Self development encompasses reaching for your fullest potential spiritually, mentally, and physically. It involves becoming a better friend, associate, and person. No one can be hurt by trying to become better. Wealth is not attainable by everyone though in our current system. Everyone can TRY but not everyone can make it. Abundance though is available to everyone once the confines of money are abandoned. Possibilities!!!

[afkw84me]

That Steve Salerno guy is an idiot lol!

[flyhighguyJD]

To even imply that to persue any form of personal development could be a scam shows the true limitation of the author. Anything that causes a person to take action over their own life is a beautiful thing.

[streettraining]

@flyhighguyJD I think you make a vilid point - the only reason the Personal development world has people calling it a scam, is because they are the majority, who don't use what they learn in seminars, go back to their normal unfullfilling lives, and complain about everything that isn't right. The key is, chiche time, to take action on what we learn... and the the world gets good lol!!!!! very good!

[ggreat42]

@streettraining the fact is that more than 50% of people dont know how to apply what they learn in seminar or are not commited to it enough and guess what happen. they fail. no lasting results. in the end, it is up to oneself. no one can help a smoker who does not want to quit bad enough

[Dorke1337]

These are all fuckin scams...pay me $19 and i will tell you how to become a millionaire by selling a book.

[etypo]

They will! Go sell it, and become a millionaire. Then shout "Want proof? Look at me, I'm a millionaire. I know about success."

[GlobalInspiration]

Victor kills him lol

[sivatmin]

Personal Development has helped me immensely. These jewels discussed in the audiobooks, etc from the personal development series are priceless. I'm a witness. Wayne Dyer's book "Pulling Your Own Strings" completely changed my life.

[joneselius]

Yes but horrifically they all add up to the same conclusion.

Any self respecting person who knows the truth about anything is mortified by what they find. It's horrible to know every time you earn money someone else has to suffer. Every time a dollar is spent a child dies and every time someone tortures themselves with religion it's just not necessary.... It's a bad, bad world... Full of good people, who are mostly opressed.

[dbSecret]

nice video...I like it...keep on the good work : )

[WMPARKE]

2 words "JIM ROHN" 1 cd i heard from him helped me changed my life. Personal Development isn't a cure!! Put into action little things life reading a book instead of watchin TV all the time, drink water instead of sodas all the time, go out and exercise start changing little things just like the guy below said, Baby steps! Its a process! Simple concepts that the whole world knows but yet they ignore.

[Kommaseir]

Faith isn't a business? Faith is actually one of the biggest businesses on the planet and extracts money from people every week! Probably to the tune of millions of dollars. So what? Should we then discount religion because there is a business associated with it? Mark did very well and I thought Steve came across very weak.

[brandoH85]

I thought Mark Hansen came off very badly, he seemed insecure and his points were often irrelevant, labored or badly constructed, and the other guy does make an important point. Too many people turn to self-help for comfort, in the same way that they turn to double cheeseburgers - not to solve their underlying problems, but just for short-term relief, and thus they are never cured and always need their self-help fix. Very few programs provide tools to actually solve deep, complex issues.

[WellnessRevolution89]

The reason people continue to read personal development books and is because they feel good growing as a person and would like to continue that personal growth by learning from those that have achieved what they want to achieve.

[WellnessRevolution89]

A better analogy to your double-cheeseburgers would be health foods. If someone buys and consumes healthy food once and starts a health diet, they will continue to purchase and consume those videos which are healthy for them, and will probably start to exercise and use supplementation, too. People who read one personal development book realize how much it affects their thinking and ultimately their lives that they continue to read more books, then attend the seminars and listen to the CD's.

[WellnessRevolution89]

It's not a quick-fix or something to instantly make them feel better, it's a long term solution that makes people feel better immediately because they are moving forward. Jim Rohn says it best: "You can't change your destination overnight, but you can change your direction"

People feel good right away because they know they are changing their direction, and continue to buy the material long term because their destination requires them to be a better and more developed person.

[izzigogo]

I think Steve may have a point...Many read these books feel good and then go right back to daily life and problems go on going.

[streettraining]

@izzigogo and what's the message of ALL personal development - to listen to us, then go out and take action on what we teach! So simple, yet most just think money and joy will somehow rain from the sky after a seminar...

[thesuccesskey]

mark is a great guy

[larryboyofok]

First of all this guy has a negative attitude from the word go. Secondly he is unhealthy, why the big bags under your eyes Steve? Thirdly your jealous of others happiness and success. What is your credentials Steve? You look like a weasel.

Go crawl back in the hole you came out of.

[bonettravel]

Steve salerno needs to Sleep and worry less about the billions of dollars being made with self help books, and stop HATING. When he does that, maybe his bags under his evil eyes may disappear.

Self help is the best education out there hands downn

JAYBONETCOM

[AngelCoin]

It seems Steve don't know the value of motivational books over the money.

Steve is a waste of time to listen.

[cshughes]

The question is.....

will it help you or hurt you to read a good book? That's as simple as the issue can be made. How can a good book hurt you? I have become a millionaire BECAUSE of the application of principles I have learned in good books. Thats it.

[ggreat42]

@cshughes

great sharing ! clear and to the point. thank you!

[PeterRoeder31]

Andrew Carnegie was a great guy, that´s true...

[benjaminjo]

Yea, that guy totally made an ass of himself lol...Man I love that guy MVH. That other guy just embarrased himself...he tried to fill a void that was never there so he himself could extract profit out of, ironically, he's involved in the self-help industry.

It was almost like a rap beef that back-fired lol

[mdueri]

I believe mentoring a millionaire is valid - but only if that millionaire did something besides make his million by teaching other people to make millions. In a sense these people are teaching people how to be successful without having really done anything significant other than writing these books. It is a bit of a scam.

[kornfan52627]

Both of them are right. While Mark's books have helped people through their lives, Steve's methods of learning to solve the problem on your own is also GREAT! so technically their both right, and arguing about which one is correct is pointless.

[9777fire]

Come on ! When is his book coming out?

[selfhelpguy]

I think both of those guys performed poorly in that discussion.

[ExplodeMyBusiness]

Okay, I'm trying to see the guy's point that it seems like we're "addicted" to self-help books. Fine. Whatever. But would it be better if we were addicted to reality tv, or porn, or drugs, or anything else? I mean is self-help HURTING US? DON'T THINK SO THERE BUB..

[luciengrey24]

This dude can not argue with the fact that millions of lives have been changed. It is one thing to read the book,it's another thing to apply the principles that you have learned. People know smoking is bad for health , but they don't apply it and they still smoke.

APPLICATION is key.Especially in this negative ,world that constantly bashes self esteem.

[romanplayright]

VIVA LA LIBERTAD

LONG LIVE RESPONSIBILTY

Please keep the "credential" people out of my decisions. Thank you very much.

Study "THE BUTTEFLY EFFECT" and help a fellow being even if it is yourself ocassionaly. May GOD be with all of you that foolishly surrender your sacred FREEDOMS...

ESTAMOS PARA SERVIR, amen!!!

[davidfox789]

fscxxx: what get rich quick scheme is Mark Victor Hansen marketing, or has ever marketed?

[davidfox789]

There is no such thing as self help.

If you helped yourself, you didn't need help.

Of course, if the author of the book is any help to you, that's not selfhelp. That's help.

Just a thought... :-)

[nanaenanaja]

Im into personal development. I dont know if its a scam or not, but I do know this:

A millionaire can teach he how to be a millionaire. I just hope they're being honest.

[fscxxx]

Steven Salerno is hillarious. The best way to become rich is to market get rich schemes to Americans. The chicken soup author is very rude, immediately insults Salerno, laughs out-loud when he makes a point and has the vibe of a snake handler.

[dan020350]

the only help there is , is in helplessnness.

[nanaenanaja]

#1 Steve looks like he needs help.

#2 If personal development was free, Would he still call it a scam?

#3 If your always negative, Isn't everything going to be a scam?

[chrisibr]

Because: you will create more and more problems and will have to get back to self-help :)

I personally read tons of those books, because my mind is hooked to that positivity - instead of the f+++ing negativity all around.

Period.

[chrisibr]

Most important thing about self-help is the daily positive programming - or shower as Mark says. And that is so true.

One point of criticism that is true however, is that if you only think better about a problem, that doesn't change - it is supposed to get rid of the problem.

But why would people get back to self-help?

Well better than going back to watching TV, eating chips, surrounding with other negative people after you read that 1 book and solved the problem.

[RockStarInLife]

Haha funny! more negative entertainment to keep people busy watching! is this bad is this good? Live life have fun. Read a book, watch a movie, play, enjoy. Mark is awesome! He compared me to Wayne Newton, because I was wearing my fully iced out watch 16cts. I told him thanks for not comparing me to Liberace. I love mark. got a pic of him and other mentors of mine, like my good friend Tony Robbins on my site DrDanzBlog.

Live Your Life Like a RockStar!

Dr Dan

DrDanzBlog

[SJAYHIPHOP]

Personal development is a process that you work at all your life. Any ideas you hear that you think will help in a part of your life you must note it down and ACT on it.

Jim Rohn, Stephen Covey, T.Harv Ecker are some of the speakers that i first listened to and am still using there principles just over a year later and i feel in total control of my life right now.

Never give up the search for success.

[TravelPays]

There was work involved and major effort. Why shouldn't someone get paid for work well done? and the more people we serve the more we get paid, common universe law.

[TravelPays]

The ones that buy the stuff and let it sit on a shelf after reading it and never implement it are the real losers. The ones that keep fueling their dreams with more material are the winners. Zig Ziglar once was asked why are you so big on motivation, why is it so important? His answer was "motivation is like bathing, you don't NEED to bathe frequently but it highly recommend it". All information that has value should be sold.

[TravelPays]

wow, I normally dont pay much attention to the sceptics and negative people but this Steve guy is something. I believe it was MLK who said "most men die at 25 but we just bury them at 65" Meaning if you lost hope and vision and desire you're practically dead. These people buy the material in the hopes to make a change. The auther's desire is to offer help and a way out and it's the readers responsibility to take it and USE it.

[eggtoc]

I hope one day people will be able to cut you from your energetic ties to their wallets. How sad that these guys make so much money from weak minded suckers and then brag about how successful they are in life. These blokes are modern day peddlers, selling a dream of riches in a bottle of elixer.

[maukrvp]

At the same time, people can read all the self help books in the world and if they never put what they have learned into action and engage, is that the fault of the self help industry? It's easy to get all pumped up with the information but if it's not followed up with pro activity, then of course the person will buy more books looking for that "catilyst" to prompt them into action when in reality that action must come from within.

[jamesterrules]

EXACTLY! I completely agree. People can read as many books as they want, but without action, nothing will happen.

I think Mark's and Jack's books are fantastic and a great inspiration source.

[CacaoKid]

My opinion is personal development self-help books are some of the most valuable books, and some of the wisest investments I ever made in my education.

Romance, trashy novels, murder stories, are probably more dangerous to the psyche than self-help. Self-help gives people hope and also shows them a way that school or friends rarely do. I don't know any millionaires but I met many listening to books, and learned from them what I have no body else.

[bfc13888]

I would not even argue with salerno. Changing your life is not about reading the how-to in one book. There is no magic formula. And you will only get the messages when you are ready to receive. Salerno has obviously not even pass cynisism. If you stage this kind of conversation as a legitmate debate, you are definate missing the whole idea.

[charlderado]

We have to many self help books that provide ideas but not the means to make the change in our belief systems. Without this acton we revert to our comfort zone within a year. Nopoleon Hills comment " theres a difference between wishing for something and being ready to receive it. No one is ready for something unitl they believe that they can acquire it. The state of the mind must be belief and not mere hope or wish"

[cshughes]

This is true, but this has nothing whatsoever to do with the self help authors scamming people. The books work if you do.

[goldtogreysmoke]

It just seems to me that your good buddy Mark never really acknowledges his point. Instead he either labels salerno a hypocrite (duh, uh who wouldn't want their book to sell or be number 1?)or follow up one anecdote with another anecdote to distract you from the fact that even though you own all the chicken soup books, your life will never be exactly what you want it to be. You shouldn't call someone a moron because you don't understand their intentions.

[goldtogreysmoke]

who's the moron? salerno is clearly not saying that personal development is a scam, he is simply calling out the "gurus" who make millions off suckers who repeatedly fork over dough to try and feel better about themselves. granted, i don't believe this is inherently wrong or a bad thing; if it improves their mental health for 12-18 months or whatever there is no harm done.

[JayDee8ch]

So why would you call them suckers? People looking to change their lives are called champions in my book. The "gurus" are simply getting the message they learned out to the masses. From a business stand point why not make money from it. It only makes "cents".

[goldtogreysmoke]

because they are the SAME PEOPLE BUYING THE BOOKS OVER AND OVER AGAIN. those, my friend, are suckers.

[JayDee8ch]

I guess I see your point. People that continue to buy those products and don't change their lives are the suckers.

[goldtogreysmoke]

yeah they are. ashamed to say i purchased a few in my time. cheers mate

[omeca]

Cooper looks like a penis