The 31 Absolute Best Resources for Self Improvement

Every week, I hear from people with the same Self Improvement questions: Where should I go for help? What should I do? Who should I listen to?

This article is designed to help you explore all of the people, places and things available to help you improve your life starting today.

Right off the bat, I want to share with you some very good news: There are literally DOZENS of places to go and people to talk to when it comes to Self Improvement. The only problem is that it can difficult to comprehend and evaluate all of these options. That's why I've compiled a complete list of 31 Self Improvement resources. Consider it a brainstorming session to help you think about and understand all of the different choices available.

I've divided the list into five sections, and for each section, I include the pros and cons of using those particular resources. Basically, I want you to use this list for two reasons:

-- To get you thinking about all of the different resources available to you, and

-- To get you thinking about their advantages and disadvantages, so you can appropriately choose the right one(s).

So, how many of these resources have YOU used to improve your life?

YOUR IMMEDIATE CIRCLE OF CONTACTS (1-4)

As a general rule, the people in this group are more likely to give you personal attention, and they are more likely to sincerely care about your needs. There are two things to look out for, though. These people are not necessarily experts in the areas where you need to improve, and they might have their own agenda. But they are generally easily accessible and can be great resources.

1. Your Friends
2. Your Family
3. Co-workers
4. Your Employer (boss or manager)

INFORMATION RESOURCES (5-12)

There is an unbelievable wealth of information out there to improve your life. On the Internet alone, there are over five million websites with the exact phrases of "Self Help" or "Self Improvement." On Amazon.com, there are over 190,000 books with references to these topics. Almost all the information you are looking for can be found here, but it could take hundreds of lifetimes to find the right information for you. Which of these resources do you currently use to help you improve your life?

5. Internet Websites
6. Books (Library, Bookstore)
7. Seminars, Retreats
8. High School, College or Continuing Education Courses.
9. Audio Programs
10. Television and Video Programs
11. Radio
12. Other Media, Magazines, Movies, Music

TRAINED PROFESSIONALS (13-22)

A trained professional can help you survive and thrive in many areas of your life. Many have worked with people in your exact circumstances and helped them find the answers they were looking for. As a general rule, professionals can provide you with more objectivity than you would get from a friend or family member.

One of the challenges of working with trained professionals is finding one that is suitable for you. It is important to find the right type of trained professional (i.e.--therapist or personal coach) and then the best person based on your background, needs, and personality. Trained professionals can be very expensive to work with and in some instances have a stigma attached to them. But in many cases, the benefits of working with a trained professional far outweigh the costs and the risk.

13. Therapists (Professional Counselors, Psychologists)
14. Personal Coaches, Life Coaches
15. Clergy (i.e.--Priest, Minister, Rabbi)
16. Accountant, Attorney, Stockbroker, Financial Planner
17. Self Improvement Experts (Tony Robbins, Dr. Phil)
18. Librarians
19. Personal Trainer
20. Doctors and Other Health Care Professionals
21. Employment Experts (Job Placement Experts)
22. Psychics, Spiritualists, Yogis

ORGANIZATIONS (23-25)

I am using the term "organizations" in a very broad sense. These can include non-profit and for-profit organizations and both professional and social organizations. The biggest benefit that many of these organizations provide is the ability to work with, network with, and share experiences with people in the same boat, on the same mission, or with the same problem. These organizations frequently have "trained professionals," often have people who are our friends and family, and use "Known Information Resources" to help each of us grow. These types of organizations are not for everybody, and the benefits that you get back are tied directly into what you are contributing. The wrong group could be a waste of time, but the right group could change your life forever.

23. Non-Profit Support Groups (i.e.--AA, Child Support Groups)
24. Social and Professional Organizations (i.e.--Toastmasters, MENSA)
25. Spas, Health Clubs
26. Personal Support Network (Master Mind Groups)

OTHERS POTENTIAL AREAS (27-31)

The above areas covered countless resources to improve your life. Here I have included some additional areas that others have found helpful in the past. As you can see, there is a tremendous amount of overlap between the different resources.

27. Free Government Resources (Hotlines, Brochures, Help Centers)
28. Inner Guidance (Asking and Giving Yourself Help)
29. Pets for other wisdom (Great listeners)
30. Mentors
31. God

Now that you have gone through the whole list, I have an assignment for you. I want you to evaluate each of the areas above and try to determine which of these has helped you the most in the past. Then see which resources you can use to make your future a bright one.

FINAL NOTE

For those of you who want to additional resources right away, we have written a comprehensive book, entitled:

"Self Improvement: The Top 101 Experts That Help Us Improve Our Lives"

This book is a groundbreaking 460-page comprehensive resource with detailed information on the top 101 experts, their insights, their messages, and their products.

You can learn the secrets of Tony Robbins, Dr. Phil, Zig Ziglar, Deepak Chopra, Stephen Covey, Wayne Dyer, Dale Carnegie, plus 94 more in this epic 460-page book on Self Improvement.

To get complete details, visit

COPYRIGHT (C) 2004 by Self Improvement Online, Inc.

David Riklan is the founder of http://www.SelfGrowth.com, the #1 Rated "Self Improvement" site on the Web. He creates resources, such as his e-book, http://www.selfgrowth.com/products/top101.html, E-Course, & FREE newsletters http://www.selfgrowth.com/products/newsletters.html, to help you achieve success.

---

The Power Of Rules - Petty, Petty, Petty Rules

In 2004 a group of seven spoilt and often aggressive... Read More

Habit Change--Six Steps to Success

As every New Year approaches, many of us are doing... Read More

What Once Was - Ain?t No More

Rather than beat around the bush and try to lead... Read More

Are You A Visionary

Dreams may seem unimportant in your quest for success. And... Read More

Is Work Still Necessary?

I have a confession to make - several confessions in... Read More

Nothing Ever Stays The Same

Nothing ever stays the same. On the one hand we... Read More

Moving Past Your Comfort Zone

We all gravitate toward what we feel most comfortable doing.... Read More

Day Dream Believer

I am sure you, just like the rest of us,... Read More

The Reason Nothing Happens - Is Because Nothing Is Happening!

I hear many clients declare how boring and stagnant their... Read More

Stop Procrastination - Just do it!

What stops you from 'getting things done?'Have you ever started... Read More

After the Big Project: Recovering From Success

My older daughter got married 10 days ago. The wedding... Read More

What Is The Value In Wanting To Accomplish Something?

When I listen to people tell me about some of... Read More

How To Overcome Procrastination Quickly And Easily

Maybe it is time to discover a new way to... Read More

Instant Willpower

We've all heard people say "I have a system". Ever... Read More

5 Ways To Feel Super-Optimistic: Tips for Your Health, Wealth, & Career Success

Optimism is the hidden key to your personal and business... Read More

The Simple Secret To Lasting Motivation

This is a key to lasting motivation and beating procrastination.If... Read More

Personal Motivation: Without Struggle There Is No Progress

As each day ends and another begins, the words of... Read More

Motivation: Small Changes, Big Results

When I was 8 years old, my parents let me... Read More

Life After Prison - The Road Home, Vanishing Dreams

The basic trauma of being locked inside of a penal... Read More

10 Ways to Kick the Procrastination Habit

I recently read about a survey (by the University of... Read More

Map to a Gold Mine - Could You, Would You?

If a total stranger came up to you and said:... Read More

How to Overcome Procrastination in 4 Simple Steps

If procrastination is holding you back in life, these 4... Read More

Are You an Achiever or are You an EXCUSIOLOGIST?

It would be a fairly safe bet that if you... Read More

Success Through The Power Of Daily Action

Daily actions to achieve your goals means daily progress and... Read More

Lego Laws for Life

Just about everybody owns or has owned a bucket of... Read More

Are You Stuck?

You know the feeling.There's something you want to do. You've... Read More

Dont Let Failure Go To Your Head

I watched as an 8-year-old All-Star slid dramatically into second... Read More

Lazy? Or Right on Schedule

Q. I've been working on a big project for a... Read More

Action Rules - Just Get Started!

'Action Rules!' in the Getting Goals Game. It is the... Read More

Employee Motivation - The 8 Basics

Building a team of motivated people in your business is... Read More

Can One Person Increase Motivation in Another Person?

The answer is yes, of course, right? People motivate other... Read More

If Theres Money in a Dead Mouse...

My 4 year old son was very excited. I had... Read More

Secrets to Motivating Yourself and Others

There is hardly anything more personal that what motivates each... Read More