SHOW ME THE MONEY YOU PROMISED – James Lander

Money can’t buy happiness is one of our oldest clichés.

According to a great many self-improvement sites, it’s also incorrect. A disturbing amount of them have combined the idea of self worth and money- decorating their sites with images of dollar bills and satisfied people.

For a fee, these companies will reveal the secrets of what they claim to be a magically lucrative thinking pattern.

One site even refers themselves to be ‘the millionaire formula’ – claiming that a mere 1% of the population possesses it.

They will unlock the magic for you with costly emotional coaching.

HOW MANY OF THESE PITCHES DO YOU GET A WEEK IN YOUR EMAILS?

Have you bought the million dollar house?  The yacht?  The Porsche? Are you working that two hour week so you can enjoy all these things?

No?

According to the ancient Greek philosopher Thales, “the most difficult thing in life is to know yourself.”

Even millions of years ago without the distractions of modern life, Thales recognized that understanding our motives and desires is a challenge.

Our complicated psychology causes us many of us to live in a state of self-deception where conflicting emotions and motives lead us to bad decisions and eventual unhappiness.

Essentially, we are an emotionally stunted species. Luckily, we are also resourceful.

The ancient philosophers didn’t have the Internet and its seemingly unlimited resources for self-improvement.

Even Steve Jobs didn’t have it until much later.

Thales might take back his words entirely if he could see the sheer amount of cyber-help available for those seeking to increase their satisfaction in life whether it’s spiritually, socially or even financially

The disheartening fact is that the majority of these self-improvement financial programs are founded on the notion that monetary instability is caused by a negative attitude and self-imposed mediocrity.

They promise that if you ‘break through’ the ambiguous emotional barriers that are holding you back, wealth will automatically come to you.

NOT MANY TALK ABOUT TAKING ACTION (AND – GULP) – WORKING.

These sites generally contain a host of articles, audio programs, worksheets and even month long courses to help members achieve greater self-awareness.

AND MONEY

All the components are covered, allowing their members to choose from something as simple as receiving daily mantras to joining a course that promises a universe altering level of enlightenment.

ALL GOOD STUFF.  BUT THERE IS A CATCH.

If you don’t have the time or inclination to sift, there is always the option to consult an online personal growth ‘expert’.

For a fee, these coaches will help sort out your difficulties on an individual basis via Skype or email. Some of these self-improvement gurus have backgrounds in clinical psychology, counseling or media and therefore have the qualifications to provide a useful service.

There are others however, who call themselves ‘theorists’, who offer counseling for an extraordinary sum but completely lack in both education or certification.

These theorists generally tout some kind of key concept they have ‘discovered’ that will change your life if you purchase the e-book or pay for the sessions.

Lacking self-awareness is one thing, but lacking sense is another thing all together. Three hundred dollars for a consultation with a person no more qualified than you are is a ridiculous expenditure

Research is mandatory any time you are spending money over the Internet but when you’re dabbling in the self-help sector, you need to be particularly wary.

Perhaps the most reliable place to find support online is in forums and member communication areas.

Increasingly, people are utilizing online communities to help each other through challenges.

The help that comes from fellow ‘posters’ and in some cases, panels of legitimate experts, is invaluable for many.

Some are just ordinary people who have been where you are.  They have dug themselves out.

It is rare that people experience difficulties at the same time as their friends, so turning to a collection of faceless chat room ‘buddies’ who are enduring similar struggles can be very beneficial.

It makes a great deal of sense to seek out a group of likeminded people in order to find support than it does to invest thousands in counseling from someone who is not only tragically under qualified, but may be completely unable to relate to your situation.

The Internet allows us to extend our identities into a social realm that functions ‘without regard to race, religion, gender and equality’. The ease with which anyone can be an Internet celebrity is testament to this.

It’s safe to say that one of the most admirable qualities humans possess is the desire to continually evolve.

We seek out improvement in every aspect of our lives; we advance our technology, we improve our food supply and we struggle mightily for social and economic reform.

However, a glance at the booming self-help industry is evidence enough that improvement is considerably more difficult when it’s on a personal level.

For each moment of fraud and fakery, there are many more positive ways to make changes in your life using the Internet.

In your search for self awareness you may be the next to have your impromptu video go viral and find yourself waltzing onto a late night talk show, best-selling book in hand.

We are rooting for you.

And hoping you did not spend thousands to get there.

What is your experience with these guaranteed success programs?

Tell us.

This guest post was written by James Lander of the consumer savings site, http://couponing.com. The website provides top retailer information along with couponing how-to guides and tips.

Picture by Images of Money

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