How to navigate through the self improvement content maze
The truth behind self improvement content
There is an abundance of self-improvement content available, ranging from YouTube videos and blogs to articles and Instagram stories.
Let’s not forget about books!
However, a significant portion of this content is clickbait, designed to generate views rather than provide genuine value.
For instance, titles like “How I earned $1000 using Chat GPT in one month,” “How to become a billionaire in 10 easy steps,” or “How to get to 100 followers within a week in Medium” are clearly clickbait.
After encountering numerous such examples, you can easily recognize that they are just aimed at generating views and not offering substantial guidance.
Even the billionaires themselves would laugh at claims like “How to become a billionaire in a year” because financial success is a process that requires more than beating the sunset every day, budgeting, and saving a few dollars.
On the other hand, there is also helpful content based on peer-reviewed research or personal experiences. Individuals and companies share their hacks or products that have worked for them in areas where they struggled or desired improvement.
These people have invested time and effort into these practices, and they have reaped the benefits.
Their intention is to share their success with others and help them improve their lives as well.
However, it’s important to note that even with such content there is no one-size-fits-all. Self-development and improvement content can provide a framework for enhancing your finances, lifestyle, and mental state, but the results will vary for each person.
For example, while reading 3 to 4 books a month and waking up at 4 a.m. may work for some, it won’t work for everyone. Keto may have helped my sister lose 40 pounds in six months, but intermittent fasting was effective for me. A friend suggested that getting a pet could help with my anxiety and depression, but I am not a pet person.
What works for your friend or sibling may not necessarily work for you? You might have different requirements to achieve your goals. Perhaps you desire to become a millionaire in a year, but your low credit score and limited options force you to compromise your principles and put yourself at risk. Is it worth it?
My point is that you need to prioritize understanding yourself before diving into self-improvement and development content. Understand what suits you and fits your schedule. If you go to bed at midnight, joining the 4 a.m. or 5 a.m. club might not be feasible. Running on only four hours of sleep would be an unhealthy habit that negatively impacts your productivity.
Similarly, in my case, my “solo date” content for productivity worked wonders for me, and I share it cause some one may find it beneficial. For someone else, reading a chapter from their favorite book or spending time with their pet might alleviate overstimulation and work-related stress. Customizing aspects of the solo date or adapting it to your preferences can also be effective.
I must admit that I have also fallen victim to the mentality propagated by self-improvement content, believing that success would come quickly, overnight, with a single click. However, I have learned the hard way that success is like a hill, with its own set of challenges.
Time allows us to gain experience, which acts as a stepping stone to the next level.
Achieving a million followers on YouTube or losing 20 pounds is difficult. Content creators, including myself, might make it seem easy as if it happened overnight, but honey, it took everything we had to be where we are.
I don’t suggest that you disregard all the content out there, but rather approach it with an understanding of what works for you.
There is both wisdom and trash in content creation, so it’s crucial to choose the content that will genuinely improve your life.
Instead of blindly following trends or seeking quick fixes, take the time to prioritize self-awareness and evaluate which practices align with your goals and values. Additionally, understand that the determining factors to how successful a practice is consistency, time and effort.
By approaching self-improvement content with a discerning eye, you can select the content that genuinely resonates with you and has the potential to positively impact your life.
