Competitive Self-Help Industry Review

My first question – Is it okay to rank someone whose not available to bless the critic?

Well I hope so, all the gurus here are world acclaimed.

With that said, let’s take a look at our high ranking gurus on the internet.

First we have Richard Carlson, 1961 – 2006, who was one of the foremost experts in happiness and stress reduction in the United States and around the world.

He wrote “We tend to have the belief that if we were somewhere else, on vacation, with another  partner, in a different career, a different home, a different circumstance – somehow we would be happier and more content.

We wouldn’t!

Carlson struck a revolution with his book, was Don’t Sweat the Small Stuff and it’s all small stuff: Simple Ways to Keep the Little Things From Taking Over Your Life.

According to Piero Scaruffi, “Carlson thinks that every act of perception specifies both a perceiving self and a perceived object.”

Carlson grounded his theories in sort of scientific approach.

He offers the theory that consciousness is only utilized for learning and once learned, it becomes routine.

Thus holding that our minds have a “self” is an organic feature.

Second in line is Sonja Lyubomirsky, a distinguished professor at University of California and author of “The How of Happiness: A New Approach to Getting the Life You Want”.

Lyubomirsky made an introduction to the science of happiness and helping others apply the science to work.

Lyubomirsky produced her own groundbreaking research with thousands of men and women, research psychologist and has pioneered a detailed yet easy-to-follow plan to increase happiness in our day-to-day lives-in the short term and over the long term.

At Kirkus Reviews, Lyubomirsky was noted for her “addressing the situations or conditions in which adults are most likely to encounter setbacks: relationships, work/finances and middle to old age.”

Lyubomirsky’s have the belief and research centered around the ability to find positives in any situation and you can bounce back if you choose.

In Scott Crabtree’s review of Lyubomirsky’s book, he stated that he “thought it was amazing: real, solid science on how to be happier, which results in numerous benefits including resilience, productivity, and health.”

Like Carlson, Lyubomirsky too had science based theories.

In addition, Lyubomirsky shares five secrets to sustainable happiness, and closes with a postscript on depression and its implications for happiness.

Next up on our list is Tony Robbins, who has blown up the market with his self-help content.

There are approximately twenty-five (25) titles offered by Tony Robbins.

Monetized content is Robbins’ claim to fame.

Each of Robbin’s titles is as powerful as its predecessor.

Unlike the others in this review, Robbins remains the most criticized guru in the public domain.

Author Noah Kagan, in his review, claims that he doesn’t hate on Robbins or his followers.

Kagan, like others, question why Robbins never bring up “the negative experience” when suggesting his theories.

Mia Doring refers to Robbins as a “raging self-help narcissist”.

Doring implies that Robbins feeds off of the crowd’s energy and hype is a part of his show.

Robbin’s way of talking to his audience is rude and vulgar; however, he claims that it aids the followers to open up and realize his truth.

He empowers his followers to take a stand in the immediate.

Interesting!

Nonetheless, while the feelings of shysterism is in the air among st reviewers, Robbins is a star among is galaxy of followers he commands.

Fourth on our list is Barbara Sher, 1936 – 2020, who was hailed for her non belief in self-improvement.

Sher’s approach was through a buddy system, not unlike alcoholic anonymous group sessions.

She urged participant to engage in verbal combat to release their tensions.

Sher brought the fight to chauvinism and self-doubt through her company Women’s Success Teams.

She used her book “Hard Times, or The Power of Negative Thinking”, which mocked the self-help writings of that era.

Sher helped a lot of women throughout her time as a motivational speaker, lifestyle coach, and mentor.

Anne Baker conducted a review of Sher’s work, in which her approach was to help her followers identify their personal ‘good life’.

The question was “what’s broken in you?”

Awareness of one’s path is gained through Sher’s works.

Baker closes her review stating “unless you truly commit the time, energy and emotional effort required for in-depth self exploration and creative visualization, you may miss the most meaningful and rewarding options.”

 Eckhart Tolle is the last ‘top fiver’ on our list.

The philosophy in his writing are on the absolute opposite of our four other gurus.

His writings are steeped in religion.

Apparently, there is an audience that subscribes to his message.

“The Power of Now: A Guide to Spiritual Enlightenment” subscribes to living in the now as the bona fide path to happiness and enlightenment.

Sharon Flesher reviewed Tolle’s work in1999, where she appears to be favorable to Tolle.

The reviewsspeak as if Tolle has defined enlightenment in some masterful, yet profound manner.

Tolle’s definition proclaimed that “it is simply your natural state of felt oneness with Being ….”

What does that even mean?

While similar ideologies are taught in yoga, mediation sessions, and other spiritual books.

Tolle appears to have taken two systems and merged them under a religious banner.

It is difficult finding a premise for Tolle’s depiction of enlightenment.

In essence, he created his theories out of the thin air.

Or it would appear!