The Overconsumption of Self-Help

Help! I’m Drowning in Self-Help. Does that sound like you?

Learning can become a safe substitute for action. 

Mhm, I said it.

We listen to podcasts, read books, take courses, and then what? Afterwards, we feel energized, ready to take on the world! But… then life happens. It’s busy season at work, the basement is flooding, the dog needs to go to the vet, the holidays are approaching (blah, blah, blah, blah, blah).

You don’t know where to start and haven’t started, so what do you do? Keep consuming.

Hey, me too.

So why do we overconsume self-help? I have no data to support this, but as an overconsumer myself, I have a few ideas.

It’s comforting

Fear masquerading as preparation

Perfectionism

Accountability (or lack of it)

#1 It’s comforting

Calling all my Type A, high-achievers! How good does it feel to read, watch, or listen to self-help content? We’re being productive, right? We feel like we’re making progress toward the goal. Achieving. We can picture ourselves “doing it,” even though we’re most likely on our mundane morning commute or walking on the treadmill. It fulfills the fantasy.

#2 Fear masquerading as preparation

It’s safe to “still be learning” and not start yet, isn’t it? Scared to take action? No one is going to shame you for working toward becoming the best version of yourself. But what is the value of over-preparation with no action?

#3 Perfectionism

We feel like we need the perfect plan, scenario, or conditions to get started.

I’m going to start training for that 5K at 6 a.m. Monday morning! Oh wait… it’s raining.I’m going to leave my 9–5 and open the winery I’ve been dreaming about. Oh wait… I have student loans.

Will the plan, scenario, or conditions ever really be perfect? If so, I’m still waiting for that energy to enter into my world!

#4 Accountability

So you didn’t train for the 5K or start the winery, but that’s okay. You didn’t tell anyone anyway. Without someone to say, “Hey, did you do the thing yet?” it’s easier to put off change indefinitely.

So, why am I ranting about this? Because I’m annoyed with myself. I am the master overconsumer of self-help. I have pages highlighted and dog‑eared. I have podcast episodes saved, vision boards hanging. But honestly, I get stuck in the vortex of “just one more!”

These are just the books I had sitting next to my desk. Not pictured: the entire office bookshelf… and all the ones I “read” via audiobook. 😅

BUT, I’m coming out of it. I’m making it my mission to revisit every book I’ve read over the last six years and choose one (just one) thing that I can implement in my actual life.

That’s what this week’s episode of The Orange Butterfly Effect is all about. I’m starting a new little solo series where I revisit the personal development books that have hyped me up over the years.

First up? You Are a Badass by Jen Sincero. The book that finally got me to stop underlining and start doing. In the episode, I’m sharing my favorite highlights and giving you (and me) one simple call to action.

I’ll be sprinkling these episodes in between guest interviews all year long,

So, I hope you consume my content (lol), but not overconsume… just enough to do.

Tune in. Take what you need. Pass it on. ✨