self-help
Do-it-yourself betterment
Self-help refers to efforts to improve oneself without relying on others—particularly books, programs, or practices aimed at personal development: the self-help section of the bookstore, a self-help guru.
The genre covers everything from productivity and relationships to addiction recovery and spiritual growth.
In legal contexts, self-help means taking action to remedy a wrong without going through courts: The landlord resorted to self-help by changing the locks.
Progress toward maturity
- bettermentEnhancement of condition
- transformationThorough change in form
- progressMovement toward improvement
- enhancementIncrease in quality
advancement · introspection · reflection · journaling · affirmations · goal-setting · habits · mindset
Self-assurance or trust
- assertivenessConfident self-expression quality
- courageFortitude facing danger
- strengthPower to exert force
- agencyPower to act
independence · boundaries · validation · authenticity · voice · worthiness
Favorable outcome attained
- productivityOutput relative to input
- leadershipAbility to direct others
- networkingBuilding professional relationships
- goal-settingEstablishing intended outcomes
skills · communication · negotiation · interviews · resumes · promotions · entrepreneurship · mentorship
Source of creative impulse
- driveOperate a vehicle
- ambitionDesire for achievement
- determinationFirmness of purpose
- perseveranceSustained resolve despite obstacles
willpower · discipline · grit · tenacity · resilience · optimism · enthusiasm · passion
Awareness of the present
- meditationFocused attention practice
- yogaMind-body exercise discipline
- stress-reliefReduction of mental tension
- relaxationState of being unwound
balance · well-being · healing · recovery · therapy · counseling · coping · boundaries
Economic production sector
- gurusVenerated teachers or experts
- influencersPeople with online sway
- criticsThose who evaluate work
- seminarsStructured educational discussions
workshops · retreats · communities · twelve-step · recovery · testimonials · transformations · followers
Those who show directions
- manualsInstructional reference documents
- workbooksEducational activity volumes
- bestsellersTop-selling books
- authorsCreators of written works
chapters · exercises · audiobooks · readers · publishing · titles · how-to · advice
Exchanging ideas or information
- boundariesLines marking separation
- attachmentConnection or fondness
- codependencyExcessive emotional reliance on another
- datingPursuing romantic connections
marriage · conflict-resolution · intimacy · trust · forgiveness · toxic · compatibility · couples
development
Progress toward maturity
- bettermentEnhancement of condition
- transformationThorough change in form
- progressMovement toward improvement
enhancement · advancement · introspection · reflection · journaling · affirmations · goal-setting · habits · mindset · accountability
confidence
Self-assurance or trust
- assertivenessConfident self-expression quality
- courageFortitude facing danger
- strengthPower to exert force
agency · independence · boundaries · validation · authenticity · voice · worthiness
success
Favorable outcome attained
- productivityOutput relative to input
- leadershipAbility to direct others
- networkingBuilding professional relationships
goal-setting · skills · communication · negotiation · interviews · resumes · promotions · entrepreneurship · mentorship · coaching
inspiration
Source of creative impulse
- driveOperate a vehicle
- ambitionDesire for achievement
- determinationFirmness of purpose
perseverance · willpower · discipline · grit · tenacity · resilience · optimism · enthusiasm · passion · focus
mindfulness
Awareness of the present
- meditationFocused attention practice
- yogaMind-body exercise discipline
- stress-reliefReduction of mental tension
relaxation · balance · well-being · healing · recovery · therapy · counseling · coping · boundaries · burnout
industry
Economic production sector
- gurusVenerated teachers or experts
- influencersPeople with online sway
- criticsThose who evaluate work
seminars · workshops · retreats · communities · twelve-step · recovery · testimonials · transformations · followers · skeptics
guides
Those who show directions
- manualsInstructional reference documents
- workbooksEducational activity volumes
- bestsellersTop-selling books
authors · chapters · exercises · audiobooks · readers · publishing · titles · how-to · advice · wisdom
communication
Exchanging ideas or information
- boundariesLines marking separation
- attachmentConnection or fondness
- codependencyExcessive emotional reliance on another
dating · marriage · conflict-resolution · intimacy · trust · forgiveness · toxic · compatibility · couples · family
- booksnovel, textbooks, study guides, book, paperback
- nonfiction genresbiography, memoir, autobiography, history, science
- self-helpadvice, personal development, personal growth, life coaches, life coaching
- middlebrowbestseller, popular fiction, mass-market, coffee table book, airport novel
- book genresfiction, novels, nonfiction, mystery, thriller
- Bookstoreaisle, bestseller, bookmark, bookshelf, browse
self-helpprofessional help
Assistance from qualified specialists
therapy · counseling · medical treatment · psychiatric care · group therapy
self-helpdependence
State of needing another
helplessness · learned helplessness · codependency · institutionalization · passivity
self-helpresignation
Voluntary relinquishment of position
self-sabotage · self-destruction · giving up · complacency · passivity
help, self, helpful, helper, selfish, helping, helpless, selfless, helpfulness