When “Self-Help” is Actually Self-Harm

I’ve been struggling to figure out what to write for my next blog post. It’s not for lack of ideas — but more for fear of writing something that is akin to those click-baity self-help articles that have become ubiquitous on sites like Medium.

I’m sure you know the ones, but here are some real examples from this week:

“9 Key Habits That Will Make You Automatically Attract Enormous Success” (14,000 claps)

“Want To Become A Multi-Millionaire? Do These 15 Things Immediately” (27,000 claps)

Gross.

These articles drive me nuts. And I think it’s because they actually cause more harm than help.

In attempt to get clicks and claps, these blogs expertly tap into the ego’s deep insecurity that “I am not good enough” and plays on our very human inclination to find a quick fix for the pain.

The subject lines remind us that we are nowhere near where we should be and if you want to be a millionaire then you need to hurry up! and adopt these super simple habits FAST because that’s DEFINITELY the only thing between you, your millions, and insane happiness.

That is such bullshit.

But there’s more. The next day, a new blog by the same author is out with a whole new list of tips and tricks. Even…