The Art of Self-Improvement

The Art of Self-Improvement
Author: Anna Katharina Schaffner
Publisher: Yale University Press
Total Pages: 280
Release: 2021
Genre: Philosophy
ISBN: 0300247710

A brilliant distillation of the key ideas behind successful self-improvement practices throughout history, showing us how they remain relevant today "Schaffner finds more in contemporary self-improvement literature to admire than criticize. . . . [A] revelatory book."--Kathryn Hughes, Times Literary Supplement Self-help today is a multi-billion-dollar global industry, one often seen as a by-product of neoliberalism and capitalism. Far from being a recent phenomenon, however, the practice of self-improvement has a long and rich history, extending all the way back to ancient China. For millennia, philosophers, sages, and theologians have reflected on the good life and devised strategies on how to achieve it. Focusing on ten core ideas of self-improvement that run through the world's advice literature, Anna Katharina Schaffner reveals the ways they have evolved across cultures and historical eras, and why they continue to resonate with us today. Reminding us that there is much to learn from looking at time-honed models, Schaffner also examines the ways that self-improvement practices provide powerful barometers of the values, anxieties, and aspirations that preoccupy us at particular moments in time and expose basic assumptions about our purpose and nature.

Stand Firm

Stand Firm
Author: Svend Brinkmann
Publisher: John Wiley & Sons
Total Pages: 120
Release: 2017-02-27
Genre: Social Science
ISBN: 1509514295

The pace of modern life is accelerating. To keep up, we must keep on moving and adapting – constantly striving for greater happiness and success. Or so we are told. But the demands of life in the fast lane come at a price: stress, fatigue and depression are at an all-time high, while our social interactions have become increasingly self-serving and opportunistic. How can we resist today's obsession with introspection and self-improvement? In this witty and bestselling book, Danish philosopher and psychologist Svend Brinkmann argues that we must not be afraid to reject the self-help mantra and 'stand firm'. The secret to a happier life lies not in finding your inner self but in coming to terms with yourself in order to coexist peacefully with others. By encouraging us to stand firm and get a foothold in life, this vibrant anti-self-help guide offers a compelling alternative to life coaching, positive thinking and the need always to say 'yes!'

Self-Improvement

Self-Improvement
Author: Mark Coeckelbergh
Publisher: Columbia University Press
Total Pages: 98
Release: 2022-07-29
Genre: Philosophy
ISBN: 0231556535

We are obsessed with self-improvement; it’s a billion-dollar industry. But apps, workshops, speakers, retreats, and life hacks have not made us happier. Obsessed with the endless task of perfecting ourselves, we have become restless, anxious, and desperate. We are improving ourselves to death. The culture of self-improvement stems from philosophical classics, perfectionist religions, and a ruthless strain of capitalism—but today, new technologies shape what it means to improve the self. The old humanist culture has given way to artificial intelligence, social media, and big data: powerful tools that do not only inform us but also measure, compare, and perhaps change us forever. This book shows how self-improvement culture became so toxic—and why we need both a new concept of the self and a mission of social change in order to escape it. Mark Coeckelbergh delves into the history of the ideas that shaped this culture, critically analyzes the role of technology, and explores surprising paths out of the self-improvement trap. Digital detox is no longer a viable option and advice based on ancient wisdom sounds like yet more self-help memes: The only way out is to transform our social and technological environment. Coeckelbergh advocates new “narrative technologies” that help us tell different and better stories about ourselves. However, he cautions, there is no shortcut that avoids the ancient philosophical quest to know yourself, or the obligation to cultivate the good life and the good society.

The Secret Art of Self-Development

The Secret Art of Self-Development
Author: Karl Moore
Publisher: Inspire3
Total Pages: 154
Release: 2009-01-29
Genre: Self-Help
ISBN: 0955993504

Stop being a seeker - Start being a finder! Self-development is an amazing quest. It's the desire to find your own freedom and happiness. It's about letting go of limitations, and learning how to live successfully. This book is a series of 16 simple "pep talks" for that self-development journey. No hype, no rituals, no follow-on courses. Just a series of conversations to help you finally discover your own true freedom. Forget The Secret, set aside religious texts and ignore the so-called gurus. This book will guide you straight to the only true authority on your own self-development. You.

The Art of Self-Improvement

The Art of Self-Improvement
Author: Anna Katharina Schaffner
Publisher: Yale University Press
Total Pages: 280
Release: 2021-09-14
Genre: Religion
ISBN: 0300262396

A brilliant distillation of the key ideas behind successful self-improvement practices throughout history, showing us how they remain relevant today Self-help today is a multi-billion-dollar global industry, one often seen as a by-product of neoliberalism and capitalism. Far from being a recent phenomenon, however, the practice of self-improvement has a long and rich history, extending all the way back to ancient China. For millennia, philosophers, sages, and theologians have reflected on the good life and devised strategies on how to achieve it. Focusing on ten core ideas of self-improvement that run through the world’s advice literature, Anna Katharina Schaffner reveals the ways they have evolved across cultures and historical eras, and why they continue to resonate with us today. Reminding us that there is much to learn from looking at time-honed models, Schaffner also examines the ways that self-improvement practices provide powerful barometers of the values, anxieties, and aspirations that preoccupy us at particular moments in time and expose basic assumptions about our purpose and nature.

Desperately Seeking Self-improvement

Desperately Seeking Self-improvement
Author: Carl Cederström
Publisher:
Total Pages: 0
Release: 2017
Genre: Humor
ISBN: 9781944869397

A highly-entertaining account of two young professors attempt to improve themselves through the techniques of the burgeoning self-optimization movement, including drugs, surgical implants, the administering of electric shocks and stripping naked in public.

The Magic of Wonder

The Magic of Wonder
Author: Ted Shaw
Publisher:
Total Pages: 141
Release: 2020-10-14
Genre:
ISBN:

WONDER is the key to unlocking the secrets of living the positive, healthier, happier, and more abundant life that you long for. Using Wonder to improve your life is fun and easy! In this book you will learn about the power of Wonder and how you can apply it to improve your life. In this book, Ted Shaw reveals practical how-to applications of the power of Wonder and a little about the science behind how it works. After you read this book, and start applying the principles, you too will start seeing the results of your new-found knowledge. Every day you'll find yourself looking for more opportunities to put the power of wonder to work for you. This is the first book in Ted's series, Fun Tools For The Art of Living Well. Follow Ted and get announcements about his upcoming books

THE ART OF VALUE-BASED THINKING

THE ART OF VALUE-BASED THINKING
Author: Kiran Vadagam
Publisher: Notion Press
Total Pages: 224
Release: 2023-06-06
Genre: Self-Help
ISBN:

Learn about many unanswered questions & un-discussed concepts like "How to master time management to be successful?" and "Why only a few people are rich & successful?" "How to know & explore self?' "How to choose a skill or a course?" "How improving our thinking abilities and soft-skills can transform your life?" "How our current goals are the reasons for our mediocre life?" "How to build your self-worth?" "How to progress in career?" "What is Value-Based thinking?" "How to build your Self-Monetization Framework?" "What is TAP Theory?" “How to think? “How to become a Creator?” "How to become irreplaceable?"