Can anyone recommend any self help books etc for motivation/setting goals?

[girl_interrupted]

I wasn't sure where to post this, but I figured it fits into the category of staying well/what works for others. So I'm wondering, does anyone have some advice/books/forums/site suggestions on building confidence, time management and goal setting? Coz frankly I suck at all three (among other things). I have tried a number of different websites and books/techniques but I figure some of you have some ideas that might be better than what I've already tried. I guess a part of it is wanting to change and doing what's necessary to make those changes. Change is really hard! I'm open to suggestions. Thanks guys 🙂

[White_Rose]

Hello

We haven't 'met' before so I would like to say hello and how are you going? Self confidence, time management and goal setting. These are huge tasks for people struggling with depression. First may I suggest you take one at a time. Work out a logical order for these. If you leave self confidence to last you may find you do not need to consciously work towards this. Achieving the other two will be a huge boost to your confidence.

You have been given a huge list of books which many people have found helpful. I often find inspiration and method in books, sometimes in the most unlikely books. There can be a huge trap in collecting a large number of self help books, sitting down to read them all and then losing the momentum to put the words into action. You can read so much that it feels you have carried out your goal. Then reality pops in and you realise you have done very little.

May I suggest you decide what you want to do first. Trying to do everything at the same time is often a recipe for disaster, self blame and a feeling of shame that you accomplished nothing despite your hard work. I am trying to lose weight and get despondent because it's a slow process. Someone commented to me that I did not put on all the weight overnight, and I will only lose the weight permanently a bit at a time. So pace yourself, give yourself tiny goals and rejoice when you achieve each one. Keep a record of your successes, what worked and what did not. Not War and Peace, just a couple of lines every so often.

It's good to look back every once in a while and see how far you have come. This is where your notes come in useful. It also helps the self confidence at those times when you feel you are standing still. And sometimes you will be standing still because you are consolidating your gains. CBT, as someone mentioned is a good way, in general, to teach yourself new skills.

Reading every book on a topic will become boring I suspect as there are only so many ways to do anything. Browse the books in shops or get them out of the library. Get an idea of what will help you most. The folk who have suggested book titles have done so because this what they have found helpful. You need to look for what 'talks' to you.Try not to look too far ahead. It can also make you feel the task is too hard or you have too far to travel. Baby steps in everything. It's not a spectacular leap ahead but you will get there and have the new habits firmly entrenched behind you.

Good luck.

Mary

[nowhereman]

Hi.yes i can.i had some beauties in the early eighties.ive been looking to see if they are still available. Anxiety one...a self help guide with your own progress dairy. You need to remember that the things that work best often are erased.so that medical people can make more money. Its unbelievable how much money is made through new ideas that are only extracts from old science. Modern medicine and its terminologies originaly derived from ancient china. Disease comes from dis ease. Meanining dis harmony in the mind and body. I will let you all know the names of those books if i find them.. max​