Some self-help styles differentiate themselves with unique advice and tips, but sometimes there are some universal advice that they all share. Following a model for success is one of them.

The model can be for a person (role model, mentor, etc…). The model can be for a system as well. For my project, there were a number of systems to follow. There were two in particular that I liked, and I actually intend to use both. What I’ll do is learn the two systems consecutively - the first system addresses my weak areas more, so I’ll go with that first. Here we go Project Panther!

A key point here is that I tried to use a system to help address a weakness that I have. I’ve tried a number of self-help approaches, and I was sold based on what their sales pitch (You too can have a fulfilled life! You can achieve your wildest dreams! Don’t you want to double your income?!?). I had to learn that it’s not the system, but the system that is right for you. One person’s treasure is another person’s trash, and vice versa. I now know that what works for someone else may not work for me, and it’s not the system per se, but it’s just a matter of matching the needs.

If I had to start over again, I would not blindly go into self-help systems, but instead spend the time to truly understand my strengths and weaknesses and then try to adopt a system that addresses them. The MBTI (Myers Briggs Type Indicator) is an excellent starting point! I’ll talk about this more in another post.