Archive for the ‘Self Help’ Category

Discover Top Self Help Audio Books To Transform Your Life Forever!

Monday, December 14th, 2009

There seem to be so many people today jumping on the new age bandwagon of self-improvement and personal development. Some of the bestselling self-help books are by authors who are reportedly helping people change their lives, feel happier and learn to love themselves. The problem is that not everyone has the time to get to the bookstore to buy the books, let alone find a quiet place and moment to be able to read them. Self-help audio books are a definite solution, with popular works being readily available for anyone to download any time of the day or night.

The beauty about choosing an self-help audio book instead of a hard copy is the versatility of your listening options. Unlike reading books, with audio files you can listen to them any time, any place through headphones without distractions. Whether you are on public transport, driving your own car, working at a desk or cleaning the house, you can listen to a book while you go. This has opened up a whole new world to people who have busy, hectic lifestyles but would love to stay up to date on the latest personal development information and ideas.

There seems to be something about the people who read these kinds of books: Those people who are always smiling, and seem completely unfazed by any obstacles that seem to get in their way. Being able to see the positive side to every situation is certainly a gift, and there are ten top self-help audio book downloads that can let you in on the secret too.

Maybe you are someone who has already read some self development books and love that feeling when the light bulb goes on and you learn and realize something new and inspiring? Or perhaps you have never read one before but would like to know what it’s all about? Either way, choosing one of these ten most popular self development authors as your first audio book is bound to leave you impressed and hungry for more.

Currently, the top ten list of self-help audio book downloads to expand your mind consists of the following:

1. Boosting Your Confidence: Andrew Johnson
Publisher: Andrew Johnson

2. Awaken the Giant Within: Anthony Robbins
Publisher: Simon & Schuster Audio

3. Develop a Powerful Memory: Glenn Harrold
Publisher: Diviniti Publishing

4. The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People: Stephen R. Covey
Publisher: Simon & Schuster Audio

5. How to Win Friends & Influence People: Dale Carnegie

Publisher: Simon & Schuster Audio

6. Dynamic Intuition: Laura Day
Publisher: Simon & Schuster Audio

7. Be Creative: Guy Claxton & Bill Lucas
Publisher: BBC Audiobooks Ltd.

8. The Power is within You: Louise L. Hay
Publisher: Hodder Headline Audio books

9. Creating Inner Peace and Calm: Glenn Harrold
Publisher: Diviniti Publishing

10. The Magic of Thinking Big: David Schwarz
Publisher: Simon & Schuste

With so much information constantly bombarding our minds from other people, television, radio and newspapers, you need to make a conscious choice as to what you want your mind to be filled with. Our brains are like sponges from the time we are born, absorbing everything we see and experience, and unfortunately a lot of this is negative.

While reading a book is inspiring and educational, listening to it enables your body to relax so the words can commit themselves to your deeper, subconscious mind. This is often where the most stubborn, unchangeable patterns and habits lie, so simply reading is not enough to let go. You will find with any of the top ten self-help audio books that you will want to listen to them again and again, to really transform and evolve through the experience as much as you can. Each time you listen, you will learn and realize something new to take with you for the rest of your life.

It can be overwhelming knowing how to begin the transition to audio books from hardcopies. By choosing one of the most popular, successful self-help audio book downloads, you are assured that thousands before you agree they are effective and can offer you knowledge to increase your own wisdom. Don’t be left behind because you are busy, have a Family or find reading a mundane and tiring task. Try audio books and you will never look back! Don’t be surprised if you end up turning off the television, preferring instead to lie down or sit in a comfortable chair and relax while you listen. You will definitely find these downloadable audio books valuable, encouraging and stimulating, and when you start to see yourself changing into a happier, better person you will be looking for the next ten on the list.

Copyright: Helen Wall

Helen Wall
http://www.articlesbase.com/internet-articles/discover-top-self-help-audio-books-to-transform-your-life-forever-105988.html

Discover Top Self Help Audio Books To Transform Your Life Forever!

Friday, December 4th, 2009

There seem to be so many people today jumping on the new age bandwagon of self-improvement and personal development. Some of the bestselling self-help books are by authors who are reportedly helping people change their lives, feel happier and learn to love themselves. The problem is that not everyone has the time to get to the bookstore to buy the books, let alone find a quiet place and moment to be able to read them. Self-help audio books are a definite solution, with popular works being readily available for anyone to download any time of the day or night.

The beauty about choosing an self-help audio book instead of a hard copy is the versatility of your listening options. Unlike reading books, with audio files you can listen to them any time, any place through headphones without distractions. Whether you are on public transport, driving your own car, working at a desk or cleaning the house, you can listen to a book while you go. This has opened up a whole new world to people who have busy, hectic lifestyles but would love to stay up to date on the latest personal development information and ideas.

There seems to be something about the people who read these kinds of books: Those people who are always smiling, and seem completely unfazed by any obstacles that seem to get in their way. Being able to see the positive side to every situation is certainly a gift, and there are ten top self-help audio book downloads that can let you in on the secret too.

Maybe you are someone who has already read some self development books and love that feeling when the light bulb goes on and you learn and realize something new and inspiring? Or perhaps you have never read one before but would like to know what it’s all about? Either way, choosing one of these ten most popular self development authors as your first audio book is bound to leave you impressed and hungry for more.

Currently, the top ten list of self-help audio book downloads to expand your mind consists of the following:

1. Boosting Your Confidence: Andrew Johnson
Publisher: Andrew Johnson

2. Awaken the Giant Within: Anthony Robbins
Publisher: Simon & Schuster Audio

3. Develop a Powerful Memory: Glenn Harrold
Publisher: Diviniti Publishing

4. The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People: Stephen R. Covey
Publisher: Simon & Schuster Audio

5. How to Win Friends & Influence People: Dale Carnegie

Publisher: Simon & Schuster Audio

6. Dynamic Intuition: Laura Day
Publisher: Simon & Schuster Audio

7. Be Creative: Guy Claxton & Bill Lucas
Publisher: BBC Audiobooks Ltd.

8. The Power is within You: Louise L. Hay
Publisher: Hodder Headline Audio books

9. Creating Inner Peace and Calm: Glenn Harrold
Publisher: Diviniti Publishing

10. The Magic of Thinking Big: David Schwarz
Publisher: Simon & Schuste

With so much information constantly bombarding our minds from other people, television, radio and newspapers, you need to make a conscious choice as to what you want your mind to be filled with. Our brains are like sponges from the time we are born, absorbing everything we see and experience, and unfortunately a lot of this is negative.

While reading a book is inspiring and educational, listening to it enables your body to relax so the words can commit themselves to your deeper, subconscious mind. This is often where the most stubborn, unchangeable patterns and habits lie, so simply reading is not enough to let go. You will find with any of the top ten self-help audio books that you will want to listen to them again and again, to really transform and evolve through the experience as much as you can. Each time you listen, you will learn and realize something new to take with you for the rest of your life.

It can be overwhelming knowing how to begin the transition to audio books from hardcopies. By choosing one of the most popular, successful self-help audio book downloads, you are assured that thousands before you agree they are effective and can offer you knowledge to increase your own wisdom. Don’t be left behind because you are busy, have a Family or find reading a mundane and tiring task. Try audio books and you will never look back! Don’t be surprised if you end up turning off the television, preferring instead to lie down or sit in a comfortable chair and relax while you listen. You will definitely find these downloadable audio books valuable, encouraging and stimulating, and when you start to see yourself changing into a happier, better person you will be looking for the next ten on the list.

Copyright: Helen Wall

Helen Wall
http://www.articlesbase.com/internet-articles/discover-top-self-help-audio-books-to-transform-your-life-forever-105988.html

Credit Repair: Is Self Help Best For You

Friday, December 4th, 2009

It now seems almost impossible to turn on the TV or open a newspaper any more without seeing another advert for some credit repair service. My email box is overloaded with subject titles like “Credit problems? No problem!” or “We can erase your bad credit — 100% guaranteed.”. This must be a great Business to be in, some of these companies are now using telemarketers to offer their services. They all seem to make the same misleading claims, “Create a new credit identity — legally.” or “We can remove bankruptcies, judgments, liens, and bad loans from your credit file forever!”

Don’t for one moment believe these misleading statements they are nothing more than a scam, lies designed to get their hands on your hard earned money. These companies appeal to anyone who has a poor or bad credit history. They will often promise, for a fee of course, to clean up your credit report. This will then allow you to get that car loan you wanted or that mortgage you were turned down for, maybe you need a higer score to secure a job. The real truth is, most of them can’t or won’t deliver what they promise you. Once you have paid them hundreds or sometimes even thousands of dollars in fees these companies normally do nothing to improve your credit score what so ever. Some will simply just vanish with your money. There really is only one way to clean up your credit report and that takes time, a conscious effort on your part and a personal debt repayment plan that will improve your credit score over time.

Here are some warning signs to look out for should you decide that you would rather use the services of a credit repair company rather than do the work yourself. Stay away from companies that fail do tell you your legal rights, they must by law tell you what you can do for yourself for free. A big red flag to watch for are companies that recommend that you do not contact a credit reporting company directly. Do not give your money to any company that suggest you try to invent a “new” credit identity, with a new credit report — by applying for an Employer Identification Number to use instead of your Social Security number.


Please keep in mind you could be charged and prosecuted for mail or wire fraud if you use the mail or telephone to apply for credit and provide false information. It is a federal crime to lie or give misleading information on a loan or credit application, to misrepresent your Social Security number, and to obtain an Employer Identification Number from the Internal Revenue Service under false pretenses.

The Truth, The Whole Truth and Nothing But The Truth

It is not possible to legally remove any negative information from your credit report that is accurate. The Fair Credit Reporting Act (FCRA) does allow you to ask for an investigation of any information listed on your credit report file that you dispute as inaccurate or incomplete. There is no charge to you for this service. Everything a credit repair clinic or service could do for you legally, you can with alittle time and effort do for yourself at little or no cost.

According to the Fair Credit Reporting Act (FCRA), You are entitled to a free credit report if a company takes adverse action against you, like denying your application for credit, insurance, or employment, and you ask for your report within 60 days of receiving notice of the action. The notice will give you the name, address, and phone number of the consumer reporting company.

You are now also entitled under the Fair Credit Reporting Act (FCRA) to one free credit report from each of the consumer reporting companies, Equifax, Experian, and TransUnionreport once a year, the year runs from September to end of August. You will also receive an updated report every time to submit a change to your report or ask for an item to be investigated, giving you the results of the investigation. The free credit reports will list all of the items shown on your credit report but will not come with your credit scores, these you are required under the Act to pay for, normally around $5.00 from each provider.

Carl Hampton
http://www.articlesbase.com/advice-articles/credit-repair-is-self-help-best-for-you-61263.html

Book Marketing And Bookselling Tips To Help Self Publishers Sell Books Fast

Friday, December 4th, 2009

Ensuring the success of any book is something even the biggest publishers have never been able to guarantee, but with a good book, a little or a lot of money, and just plain hard work the odds are in your favor; many have done it.

If you’ve written a ‘how to’ book you’ll find people are always seeking ‘how to’ information making your book easy to sell; in fact the most sought after items on the Internet are information products. Whether you’ve just published a book or have a book that isn’t selling, now is the time to get to the marketing; start marketing aggressively today!

Make sure your press release spells out the ‘who, what, where, when, and why.’ Using press releases for Marketing or promoting your book or book’s website has become increasingly popular as publishers discover the powerful benefits of using press releases to promote their books. Using press releases can be a very effective marketing tool if used properly.

When picked up by wire services, a press release can easily end up generating hundreds, or even thousands of mentions, via syndication, for your book. Send out at least 10 press releases to the print and broadcast Media in your area every month. Press releases can generate thousands of dollars in sales when picked up by national trade or print media.

Don’t underestimate the value of a good press release for making book sales. Invest in press release submitting software and set aside time every week to send out a press release online to the press directories.

I’ve not found that book signings sell many books for publishers and are often a waste of time; better to spend it elsewhere. It’s important to publish a website that focuses on your title; you’ll be able to refer editors and customers and all interested parties to your book information with the click of a mouse. Find a non-exclusive distributor with a good reputation to carry your book for the book store trade, as well as for other retailers.

Contact non-bookstore booksellers and offer to leave books on consignment. Build a web site that provides another avenue for ordering, a virtual online press kit and link exchanges with sites that relate to your topic. Print and online publications provide longevity to your marketing campaign in terms of having something tangible for people to reference ongoing.

If your book fits a specialty market, find a store that fits the genre and offer to leave books on consignment; many publishers have sold thousands of books this way. Submit articles to online article directories that focus on your book’s topic to drive customers to your website. Contact any companies, corporations or organizations that might use your book for promotions; offer significant discounts for volume orders or for thousands of copies offer a specified amount above book production costs.

Make sure to promote and market your book each and every day, both online and offline. Place free ads periodically for your book’s website on Craigslist in different categories to drive even more traffic to your website. Market your book to your number one market first, and then go after the secondary markets.

Get as many testimonials about your book, as possible, from experts in the field relating to your title, not from your customers; use on your fliers and back of books. If your book solves a problem, focus on this in your marketing.

Make sure your sales letter or flier is first class; this is the formal presentation of your title to the prospective buyer. Women buy more books then men; see how you can fit your book into the women’s’ market.

If you apply yourself every day and you promote your book like crazy, you can achieve that ultimate goal of selling thousands of copies of your book, many self publishers have. The success of any book marketing effort depends on a good book and just plain hard work; its been done many times before and you can do it too. Use your book promotion and book marketing dollars wisely; go after the free and cheap resources daily.

Helen Hecker
http://www.articlesbase.com/marketing-articles/book-marketing-and-bookselling-tips-to-help-self-publishers-sell-books-fast-119573.html

Best Book Marketing Tips Help Self Publishers

Friday, December 4th, 2009

In today’s publishing marketplace, the success of a book depends greatly on a strong marketing plan. This article will provide you with easy, free, and cheap book marketing, promotion and publicity tips to get you headed in the right direction. You can have the best book in the world, but if no one knows about it, no one will buy it; publicity, promotion, marketing and a focus on selling more books should now be a big part of your focus every day.

Make sure you have at least one good AP style press release, which you can send out for the lifetime of your book. Press releases can generate thousands of dollars in sales when picked up by national trade or print Media. When picked up by the wire services, a press release can easily end up generating hundreds of mentions for your book.

Invest in press release submitting software, or at least set aside time every week to send out a press release online to the press directories. Your book press release should not be written as you would a sales letter or flier, it should be written for the editor and tell about your book in a factual way, no opinion or glowing remarks. Mail a press release to at least 1000 print and broadcast contacts just prior to publishing your title and again and again after you publish; you can never send too many.

Don’t underestimate the value of a good press release for making book sales. Using press releases for marketing or promoting your book or book’s website has become increasingly popular as publishers discover the powerful benefits of using press releases.
Submit articles to online article directories that focus on your book’s topic to drive customers to your website. Make sure to promote and market your book each and every day, both online and offline. Contact any companies, corporations or organizations that might use your book for promotions; offer significant discounts for volume orders or for thousands of copies offer a specified amount just above book production costs.

Arrange to speak at local, regional and national events that relate to your book topic; bring books along and have an associate sell them at the back of the room for you. Be your own publicist and send a press release along with a review copy of your book to publications in your book’s genre and to book review magazines.

I’ve seen publishers lose a lot of money paying for expensive display ads, so beware if you do this; I don’t advise it in the beginning or sometimes at all — get your feet wet first so you know what you’re doing.

Local radio shows and television appearances are good but are often forgotten within hours of the broadcast; make sure to make or get a video or DVD copy of any television broadcast for future promotions. It’s important to publish a website that focuses on your title; you’ll be able to refer editors and customers and all interested parties to your book information with the click of a mouse. Create an online contest and list it in online contest directories to drive traffic to your website.

Make sure your sales letter or flier is first rate; this is the formal presentation of your title to the prospective buyer. You can give away a copy of your book in a raffle at a local function to get more book recognition. Make sure not to overlook the Internet; get yourself interviewed or profiled for sites both about writing, publishing and about the topics covered in your book.

Remember to make sure your book is listed in Books-in-Print; don’t assume it’s already there. Make at least five telephone calls a day that relate to marketing your book.

If your book solves a problem, focus on this in your marketing. Every day it’s important to focus on a wide variety of Marketing approaches.

If you apply yourself every day and you promote your book like crazy, you can achieve that ultimate goal of selling thousands of copies of your book; many self publishers have done it. Make sure to do some serious marketing and promotion every single day. Use your book promotion and book marketing dollars wisely; go after all the free and cheap resources daily too.

Helen Hecker
http://www.articlesbase.com/marketing-articles/best-book-marketing-tips-help-self-publishers-123176.html

Credit Repair Self Help Tips

Friday, December 4th, 2009

Holding bad credit can be quite a bane. Lenders are disapproving towards your loan applications- some turn down the applications outright while others may settle at higher rates of repayment and other unfavorable terms and conditions for you.

At such time credit repair seems to be the need of the hour and you need to resolve to advocate all necessary means and take up all needful measures to improve upon your credit position.

Some self-help tips for credit repair can be suggested in this regard. These will act as guidance for you. You will be helped in taking the right decisions and in following the right steps by being enlightened by such tips.

You need to request beforehand (i.e. before venturing into loan application) for a copy of your annual credit report from the authorized resource online: annualcreditreport.com. This is a free service provided from the tri bureaus the national credit rating agencies. The three credit bureaus Experian, Equifax and Trans Union are the tri bureaus which will supply this valuable account of your credit which can reveal much.

You can check out irrelevant and wrong entries of accounts and account numbers and report them to the concerned creditors. Getting these corrected and notifying them to the reporting agencies will help you a lot. You can avoid the reduction in credit scores and earning the tag of bad credit holder owing to wrong entries by taking this step beforehand.

Then you need to ascertain that you are paying your bills on time. The number of credit cards being carried by you needs to be reduced by writing to the respective creditors requesting them to close down old accounts which you find unnecessary.

The changed status of your accounts after adopting measures is to be notified to the credit reporting agencies from time to time for them to take care of in subsequent reports pertaining to you. It is necessary that you settle any outstanding accounts and debts. Thus, you can start reestablishing your credit. But make sure you avoid bankruptcies, tax liens and collections.

There are a large number of ventures on the web which promise to repair your credit quickly and secure for you a high credit score. However, it is just not legally possible to achieve all that these websites claim. Credit scores cannot improve overnight, nor can credit reports be changed so soon.

Negative indications in your credit report which account for poor credit ratings or bad credit scores need time to ease out even after considerable efforts are extended. It is only you who can adopt the right measures and rectify the situation over time and no one can do it on your behalf.

Barney Garcia
http://www.articlesbase.com/Finance-articles/credit-repair-self-help-tips-79221.html

Self Help Massage

Friday, December 4th, 2009

There are many benefits of massage therapy. It will help you to relax tensed muscles and increase your blood flow. This will help you with stress management and relieve tension. It can often help you to feel better and improve your health. It can also help to heal injuries and certain ailments.

You can have the luxury of getting a massage done professionally or you can do some basic self-massage yourself. There are several ways that this can help you. The two most common are, helping you relax and improving your circulation. When you do this, you can relieve yourself of tension and reduce swelling that is caused by injury. A short massage will also help you feel less tired and make you feel rejuvenated.

You can use a massage belt, glove, or just your hands to do this. There are several techniques you can use. The ones you use will depend on what your purpose is. You can either: stimulate, relax yourself, or help your body to heal and synchronize itself.

It only takes 20 minutes to relieve tension with massage. Either sit in a comfortable chair or lie down. Massage one area of your body, slowly and methodically. Here are some techniques you can use.

? Kneading: this is a technique in which you massage your muscles as if they were bread dough. Sometimes it helps to use warm vegetable oil or aromatic oil.

? Rubbing: use the palm of your hand and rub your muscles in a circular motion.

? Vibrating: This is when you use the back of your hand to lightly slap or knock rhythmically. This will relax your muscles and improve circulation.

? Final strokes: use gentle outward directed strokes at the end of each session. Always massage in an outward direction and be gentle. If you see any red or broken areas, do not massage them.

A good massage to do at the beginning of the day is to massage your legs. This massage should be done in an inward movement toward the heart, and moving from the bottom to the upper part of the leg.

Self-massage can be a very good therapeutic treatment for both your mind and body. It is important to make sure that you are comfortable and undisturbed in order to get the best effects of this treatment. When done correctly on a regular daily basis, you will not only feel rejuvenated, but you will free yourself both mentally and physically, of tension and stress.

So try to give yourself just 20 minutes a day, relax and enjoy a healthy and beneficial massage today. You will be glad you did and be able to reap the benefits for years to come.

Zachary Thompson
http://www.articlesbase.com/Health-articles/self-help-massage-131262.html

Self Help Books About Bad Habits

Friday, December 4th, 2009

Bad habits can take over your life. They can make you fail at work, school, and relationships. It is important to address these issues. Self Help books are great for this. Here are a few.

The 12 Bad Habits That Hold Good People Back: Overcoming the Behavior Patterns That Keep You From Getting Ahead is a book by Waldroop and Butler. This book focuses on bad habits in the workplace. It explains how you can understand your own bad habits and learn new ways to relate to people. They suggest that doing this will help you to advance and prosper in your career.

James Claiborn, Ph.D. and Cherry Pedrick, R.N. have collaborated on a book about all habits. It is called The Habit Change Workbook: How to Break Bad Habits and Form Good Ones. This book follows a cognitive-behavioral approach to bad habits. It uses psychological principles to get to the root of bad habits. Then, it goes into great detailed steps of how to break them. It also tells about a group of people who have bad habits and explains how each one is conquering theirs.

What to Do When You Don’t Know What to Do: Bad Habits and Addictions is a short book on the subject by Henry Cloud and John Townsend. It offers a religious perspective to those who feel overcome by their failings. It gives advice on how to find ways out of habits and addictions.

One book is a rather heavy read on the subject of addictions. However, it does offer some sound psychological advice. It is titled Changing for Good: A Revolutionary Six-Stage Program for Overcoming Bad Habits and Moving Your Life Positively Forward. The authors, James O. Prochaska, John Norcross, and Carlo DiClemente, work together to put together a system of coping with undesirable behaviors. It involves six steps, which are discussed in full.

If you have children you want to help, there is a book for you, too. It is called Good Kids, Bad Habits: The RealAge Guide to Raising Healthy Children. In it, Jennifer Tratchenberg discusses the kinds of habits children have as they are growing up. She gives insight into how these habits can follow them into later life. Then, the author helps parents set up a program that is designed specifically for their child. This will help the children to break bad habits.

Of course, what subject would be complete without an “Idiot’s Guide?” Suzanne LeVert has come up with the Complete Idiot’s Guide to Breaking Bad Habits. This book is a tremendous introduction on the subject of bad habits. At the same time, it does it with a sense of humor and warmth. Reading this book may not break your bad habit. However, it may put you in the right frame of mind to do it.

Self help books for breaking bad habits are very useful tools. They help those habituated to understand their problem behaviors and find ways to banish them. It always helps to have a second opinion. Reading these books on bad habits will give you advice that you would never think of on your own.

Arjun Singhe
http://www.articlesbase.com/addictions-articles/self-help-books-about-bad-habits-309385.html

Should You Join a Self Help Group?

Friday, December 4th, 2009

Are you going through a tough time in your life?  Do you feel like you’re all alone with your problem?


Chances are that there are a lot of other people who are facing a similar difficulty right now, perhaps even other people in your own community.  You can find the help and support you need to get through this period, as well as find helpful advice and good friendships by joining a support group made up of other people who are struggling with the same problem that you are.


Whatever your current problem happens to be, whether you are struggling with an addiction, or perhaps someone you love is an addict, or if you are finding life hard because you have just been diagnosed with a serious illness, or if you don’t have many friends to turn to because you are socially isolated, joining a support group is a way to quickly fill your life with kind and caring people who will help you on your journey.


What is a support group?  It can be a formal or informal group of people who get together on a regular basis to share certain aspects of their lives with others and to offer each other emotional support.


Sometimes these are also called Self Help groups.


Perhaps the most famous of the support groups that exist today is Alcoholics Anonymous (A.A.).  This organization started in about 1935 in Akron, Ohio, when two alcoholics found that talking to each other about their drinking and following a simple program helped keep them both sober. 


Since that beginning, the A.A. organization has spread throughout the world and millions of alcoholics have learned to stay sober by helping each other.


The A.A. model has been adopted by people dealing with addiction problems other than alcohol, so today there are support groups that deal with addictions to narcotics, cocaine, food, and many other substances and activities.


In addition, there are support groups that use the A.A. model to help the partners or children of addicts.  Being the spouse or child of an alcoholic or addict brings with it certain painful problems that are often best understood by other people who have lived a similar experience.


Support groups that use the A.A. framework are often called “12 Step Groups”.  That is because these groups base their founding principles and traditions on the 12 steps which were proposed by the initial founders of the first Alcoholics Anonymous groups.


One of the key principles of the support groups using the A.A. model is the tradition of secrecy.  People who attend these meetings use only their first names.  They do not publicly advertise their participation in 12 Step groups.  Everything said at these meetings is meant to be kept strictly confidential by those who attend. 


It is because of this tradition of secrecy that those who attend the meetings can feel free to discuss extremely personal matters.


Not only have 12 Step groups enabled millions of people to overcome their addictions, reclaim their lives and gain peace of mind, they also foster close friendships and emotional intimacy for many of those who attend.


Not all self help or support groups are fashioned on the 12 Step A.A. model.  Many support groups today exist to help people battle specific diseases.  For example, there are support groups for people who have been diagnosed with breast cancer, diabetes, heart disease, and many less common illnesses.  Some support groups also raise money and awareness to combat specific diseases.


Support groups for people with diseases can provide a lifeline for people who are newly diagnosed with some frightening ailment.  They can provide information, help, and hope, suggest new treatments and doctors, and give the kind of emotional support that can only come from other people who truly understand what it means to face this particular problem.


Self help groups also exist for many emotional problems and social situations. 


There are support groups for single parents, for widowed seniors, for teenaged mothers, and for parents of twins and triplets.  There is even a support group for people who have developed emotional problems after winning the lottery! 


You can usually find information about the location and times of support group meetings by checking in a local newspaper or telephone book. 


If you decide to try visiting an existing support group, it’s best to go several times before you decide whether or not it’s right for you.  Sometimes a group can have an “off” night when things don’t quite work well, and yet other meetings might be much better.


Of course it is often easier to find a support group for an obscure problem if you live in a large city rather than in a small town.  But you are not limited by geography as long as you have a computer—nowadays there are many support groups on line. 


Using the Internet you can access people who are willing to talk about your problem, at any hour of the day or night, in any corner of the world.


Whatever type of problem you have, it’s quite likely that somewhere in the world there is a group of people who are already trying to deal with the same problem.


And if you can’t find the right kind of support group locally, another option for you is to  try start up a support group right where you live.  Not only will you be helping yourself, but you will also be helping others, and you’ll probably meet a lot of interesting and friendly people at the same time!

Royane Real
http://www.articlesbase.com/self-help-articles/should-you-join-a-self-help-group-3531.html

Find Insight And Knowledge From Self Help Audio Books

Friday, December 4th, 2009

You have probably never thought of an Audio Book as a tool for Self Help, motivation and growth. But the truth is, audiobooks are excellent resources of all kinds of information.

A self help audio book may be an inspirational story about someone who survived a life altering event. Maybe you have challenges in your career and need the motivation to be strong and see it through. Audio books can provide wonderful insight for anyone needing personal encouragement.

Audio books are the perfect medium for weight loss and other Health issues such as cigarette smoking. For the person trying to lose weight, an audio book can be the absolute most positive tool you have. For instance, if you are following the South Beach Diet, you can download the audio book version and listen to Dr Agaston narrate through the program, step by step. Then listen while you exercise, drive or do house chores.

Perhaps you have a job where you earn your salary based on sales commissions. You may benefit immensely from a very popular download by Zig Ziglar. This man can motivate a snail. This download provides vital strategies for specific closes, hundred of sales questions, and dozens of persuasion procedures to help everyone sell their ideas, products or themselves.

Of course these are just a couple of examples of self help audiobooks, a browse through an online audio book store will provide you with thousands of self help titles to choose from.

The convenience of audiobooks make them terrific for on the go people. You can listen to any audio book on your iPod, MP3 player or even on a CD for portable convenience.

Self help audio books can provide the information to enrich and enhance lives. All that is needed is the eagerness to improve and the willingness to open your mind to grow.

Michelle Moglia
http://www.articlesbase.com/self-help-articles/find-insight-and-knowledge-from-self-help-audio-books-106754.html