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The fastest way to success

Whether it means being successful in relationships, being an efficient manager or winning friends and losing flab, a book seems to be the key to all problems in life

THE SELF-HELP BOOK BOOM People are irresistibly drawn towards such `how to' books that promise you heaven on earth Photo:K.R.Deepak

Feeling low because of a troubled relationship or a nagging boss or simply because of that evasive hourglass-like figure that you always craved for? A book may be the panacea of all ills! In the age of two-minute instant noodles to conquer hunger instantly, the surest way to success is fast and full steam ahead. Keep the adrenaline pumping, success is not instant combustion; you have to set yourself on fire every day, every moment. So whether it means being successful in relationships, being an efficient manager or winning friends and losing flab, a book seems to be the key to all problems in life.

Shiv Khera capitalised on this and penned "You Can Win". The age-old favourite Dale Carnegie told us that everything in life, like the hourglass, has its time. Stephen Covey gave us the mantra of `The seven habits of highly efficient people'.

Win over friends, influence people, laugh at yourself, avoid criticism, lead by example. That is the message of them all.

What held America spellbound in the 1970s has become a rage here with nearly 5,000 titles being churned out every year. This is the self-help book boom!

According to Jyothi Book Depot's Anil, a significant percentage of their sales comes from non-fiction like self-help and management books. "The main readers of such self-help books belong to the age group of 25-40," he says.

The store has more than 1,000 titles in this category with nearly 400 titles in the best-seller category. "In the last two to three years, there has been a radical change in the reading habits of people with the preference for self-help books growing every year," says Anil. Now it's not only the youngsters but schools, colleges and corporate offices also recommend such books for their employees, he adds.

One of the most popular ones is the `Management Thinking Kit' that has 12 cards with simple objects like peanuts or pins and an explanatory passage below that strikes a comparison between the object and different situations and feelings in life.

"These books help understand difficult situations in life and gives you immense confidence," says Saroja, a software executive.

Some feel that the reason for this sudden craze is because success has become an endless desire.

No wonder, readers have been irresistibly drawn towards such `how to' books aiming to chisel out a better individual, with editions that don't pinch the pocket and promise you heaven on earth.

Be it the `The seven steps to lasting happiness', `The magic of thinking big' or `Loving Yourself' - motivational books, speakers and websites stress the importance of `me-time', a.k.a `recharging-time'. One of them even suggested scheduling time `to meet with yourself'.

While it might be a great way to discover yourself, count the number of moles, warts and white-hair, hide the book when you put it down. For you will probably never live it down if somebody discovers that you have actually been scheduling time to "meet with yourself"!

And then these go on about the much talked about `self-motivation', which is easier to lose than a needle in the proverbial haystack. If you are addicted to self-help books, then indulge in some.

The only trouble is, after a couple of days, there is only so much that one remembers, let alone follows. It will not be long before you are driven to the next `3 million copies sold worldwide' book!

"The dependence on self-help books is indicative of the stress in everybody's life. Almost 90 per cent of the population is stressed out but the ability to handle stress has come down," feels Roshni, an architect.

Many realise these books are not going to change their lives, but is like a guide who assures you, you are right.

"There is nothing new in these books that we don't know already. It's just the `feel-good' effect," says a bank official. "These are the by-products of a time when speed rules the world and the preferred food is fast."

NIVEDITA GANGULY

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