It seems like every time we turn around another self improvement book pops up. However, there are other forms of media where the self improvement theme has become popular. You have your seminars, audio books, videos and so on. For the sake of simplifying things, though, we’ll just use the term “self improvement books” in this article, when referring to them all.

Many self improvement books have a lot of things in common. They are intended to be motivational, often highlight examples of those who have benefited from using the principles outlined in them and usually talk about a person breaking away from his or her old patterns to develop the habits that lead to success. I personally believe that a lot of these books are more than just hype. If you look at many of the characteristics the people in their examples display, you will notice that in whatever success oriented book you read, they will often outline a number of the same traits that the successful people have. I believe that to be more than just coincidence.

Let’s face it; most people are probably looking for a quick fix in their lives. Maybe it’s the New Year and they have made some sort of resolution to finally do something about their lives or circumstances. Even though the most commonly perceived New Year’s resolution might be weight loss, I feel that there are probably much more resolutions made having to do with personal and/or financial success. At least more than what we would hear of because most don’t talk about it.

I think that it is true that people have to become so tired of their current circumstances that it forces them to finally take action. Many of these books use that as their selling point. You may hear some ads on TV that start out with: “Are you tired of your life?” Most of their customers are tired of their lives or circumstances and give in to the ad as a result.

The fact is that true success usually takes a significant amount of time to be achieved. If the principles usually outlined in these books are followed, success is inevitable but only after a significant amount of time has passed. In other words, there are no quick fixes.

So patience is obviously one of those traits often highlighted in these books. Other traits are: diligence, optimism, a good work ethic and perseverance. That’s where they often lose people. Determination is the drive and persistence that keeps a person going. Productivity is one of the most important factors in generating wealth. The countries that have the highest rates of productivity are usually the ones with the best economies. So it works on the national level as well as the personal level. Optimism is also important because it involves the belief that all of your hard work and time spent will pay off in the end.

Many of the principles outlined in the success oriented books are really not entirely new. Many of the traits outlined can be found in the Bible’s book of Proverbs. Therefore, you can make the claim that the principles themselves are timeless. So now we get back to the question: why don’t these things work for some people? I’m glad you asked. So here is my answer to that question:

Even though these books speak of employing timeless principles that have been proven to be effective, people, even upon reading about them, really don’t follow them. The book is not going to do the work for you. You still have to apply yourself. The book tells you how a good work ethic is important but knowing that doesn’t mean you will have a good work ethic.

Even though these books often talk about patience, reading about it will not make you a more patient person. That is an issue of self control. True patience only comes with practice. It may also involve the application of optimism. You have to firmly believe in these principles and remove as much doubt as possible. This will help you to remain, diligent, persistent and industrious.

There are no real shortcuts to success and, believe it or not, many of these books don’t even try to make the claim that there are. Yet some people fall into the trap of believing that there are shortcuts to success. Although, laziness, pessimism and quitting as a result of adversity are common factors, I think there is probably one cause that is more common than any of those factors. I believe that to be the fear of leaving your comfort zone.

Many of these books even speak of leaving your comfort zone as being a necessary component in attaining success. Reading that, though, doesn’t make it any easier to do. There is a reason they call it a comfort zone; basically, to go beyond what is familiar to us, we feel uncomfortable. However, leaving your comfort zone is necessary in personal development and growth as well as the attainment of success.

So upon the completion of reading one of these books, think about the aspects of the recommended courses of action that make you most uncomfortable. Face them first. You must convince yourself that facing up to those things must be done in the process of making progress. Most people put those things off. They will try everything else first in order to postpone dealing with the things that make them most uncomfortable. Then when it’s finally time to face those things that make them most uncomfortable, they finally give up.

Facing the things that make you most uncomfortable first will show you if you really have what it takes to do what it is that you are hoping to achieve. You cut to the chase and you basically prevent yourself from wasting too much time to come to whatever conclusion it is that you will eventually reach.

Basically, when you read any one of those success oriented or self improvement books keep these things in mind. Keeping these things in mind as you read one of theses books will help prepare you for the eventuality of having to face your fears or leaving your comfort zone. That is really what these books are about; leaving your comfort zone. That might not be how they advertise some of these books but that is the reality of the task that lies before you. Good luck with facing that reality.