The concept of self-development is not new. There are writings of it in Freud, Jung, and even 18thcentury moralists like Samuel Johnson. However, only recently, has the proliferation of the field of "self-help" literature, infomercials, DVDs, audio books, seminars and workshops taken us by storm. This has led to a concept that is so positive on its surface, yet quite difficult to navigate by those it seeks to help. Sorting through it all is a task that can prove to be daunting for those who are looking to development themselves.
We are far beyond the days of the East versus West authors such as Eckhart Tolle, known for his best-selling "The Power of Now," and kindred authors like Thich Nhat Hanh. The notion of life coaching in the area of books alone can fail to address the specificity of those seeking self-development. This is particularly true in the areas of depression or weight loss, for example. Where there is such a mass of data, that the information gets lost and the positive messages are hidden in soul searching of "why" and "what"; with the "what" developed through following regimes laid out in tight structures and journals. The other end of the spectrum is Rhonda Byrne's 2006 best-selling self-help book "The Secret". This drew praise and criticism alike from the self-development community. The criticism stemmed from its inapplicability to specific problems and a notion that only thinking good would attract only good; without providing enough direction to put something concrete into action.
The international success of Tony Robbins and other life coaches might also suffer from a similar problem of generality. However, what we have learned is that the seminars and workshops given by life coaches who really think and understand that audiences want connectivity really do work. Seminars and workshops that have true participation and involvement are intrinsically helpful to those seeking betterment in their day to day lives because they change the state of the attendees. Even corporate applications such as team building can benefit from various facets of this type of self-empowerment and state-change approach.
This isn't a new concept. It is in fact well-studied. For example, those suffering from anxiety or depression are often recommended group therapy by their psychiatrists or other qualified professionals in order to help tackle the difficulties of their condition. A support system hastens the pace of improvement, and encourages those who would not otherwise seek treatment to engage in a safe community of supportive peers. This works best when there are some attendees who can inspire others, either through direct shared experiences or by the nature of being able to handle comparable situations. The principles of cognitive-behavioral therapy in a group setting are not unique to depression or anxiety and can in fact be generalized to other areas of self-development - weight loss, self-esteem, the courage to start a new career. Many positive responses in all areas of life-changing experiences are grounded in empirical evidence, scientific studies and personal testimonials.
Attending a self-development seminar to help feel good about jump-starting that business you've always wanted to open is a tremendous way to make contacts, network with others, and most of all, appreciate just how many others are in your position. This helps to declaw the beast, so to speak. And this is where it gets interesting - seminars, workshops, and other public sources of self-development do not mutually exclude the books, CDs, DVDs, and other programs out there. Traditional forms of self-help, whether that means following a workbook or step-by-step DVD program, or even seeking the help of a therapist for biofeedback, hypnosis, and other forms of treatment can be used to support and supplement the attendance at a seminar or workshop.
The real meat of self-development comes from the will to overcome a problem or embolden one's drive and desire to improve. Seminars and workshops provide an enthusiastic and supportive environment. This situation can provide support for those who have questions, concerns, or doubts about the material they are working on in books and other areas; or can make people enthused to go and look for more in a particular direction.
It may sound counter-intuitive, but to develop one's self is to develop one's ability to work with others. To be able to look into one's own self in the company of others and to be enthused to believe that achievement is possible provides a very powerful setting to make changes. By engaging in a community of support and encouragement, the efficacy of any self-development regimen will experience a profound change in pace. What are you waiting for?
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