Not long ago I was invited to attend a special introductory session held by an organization that touts personal development and success as their goal and mantra. Being completely unfamiliar with this organization, my first instinct was to wonder why I was being invited, what did they want from me, and finally what would they try to sell me.

That’s not paranoia is it?!

Their website is full of anecdotal stories, independent research studies, and pages of benefits that can be reaped from attending their seminars and courses. Then, on a page that’s not very easy to find are their “tuition” costs for each course.

Why is it that there is an inevitable financial cost, usually a steep one too, for any course, book or lecture claiming to be able to help you be successful, attain personal happiness, and improve your health? Does this sound like an oxymoron to anyone else?

The implication seems to be that personal development and optimal health and wellbeing are only within the grasp of the financially elite. And even then, those of us who wouldn’t be considered a part of the financially elite are often willing to give our money over for this wonderful new cure or solution with the hopes that maybe this one will work this time around.

Don’t get me wrong. I fully support people in their quest for personal development, continual education and health and wellbeing. I also know that there are many resources out there that can help individuals reach these goals.

My problem lies in the “self-help” industry that preys on peoples’ weaknesses and makes them feel as though the industry can provide a no-fail solution; for a price.

Is this a problem with the industry or is it a problem that resides in peoples’ recurring need to look for an external solution to an internal problem?

One could argue that any industry’s success is based on certain exploitations of others’ weaknesses, be it another industry, individual, governmental, etc. If that’s how business works, is it really their fault?

I have no doubt that people have the individual strength and will to overcome whatever weaknesses they feel they may have. And therefore there is a part of me that thinks that individuals of today are partially to blame.

We need to relearn to be self-sufficient. We need to re-learn to believe in our own strengths and skills. We need to look inside ourselves for the solutions to our own difficulties.

Any number of self-help books or courses can tell what you’re doing wrong. At the end of the day, however, it is you who can tell yourself what you’re doing right.