Well, I am sure that some will disagree, but what I've seen, most of what is in self-help books is common sense, although the best wrap it in amusing or counter-intuitive anecdotes. I think self-help allows people to convince themselves that there's formulae to life, when it's really just a matter of doing things in earnest and learning as you go.

So, basically I see self-help books as a sign that someone over-values impersonal advice. Not a sign of confidence, IMHO.

So you're saying the formula is to do things in earnest and learn as you go?

Hardly a formula. But sure, even if you consider it to be one, it's not book worthy. It's common sense.

Common sense does not exist.