Self-Help Needs Help
The genre is trying to evolve. It’s having trouble.
The year 2016 marked a peak for the self-help movement, with Angela Duckworth's book Grit: The Power of Passion and Perseverance capturing the attention of individuals striving for success. This was a time when prominent figures like Hillary Clinton and Alexander Hamilton embodied the spirit of determination, while Silicon Valley's billionaires showcased their own grit.
Books promising to bolster individual resilience, such as Grit and the resurgence of Stoicism, lined airport bookstores alongside other self-improvement literature. Duckworth's book resonates with readers, even as the world presents challenges that test one's perseverance. However, Duckworth herself now acknowledges that individual effort alone may not determine life's outcomes, suggesting that external factors also play a critical role.
Her new book, Situated: Find the People and Places That Bring Out Your Best, delves into the influence of social connections and environments on personal success. Simultaneously, Adam Grant's Vibe: The Secrets of Strong Connections in a Lonely World shifts focus from self-transformation to the quality of relationships, questioning the self-help paradigm that emphasizes individual control over one's destiny.
Both authors recognize the impact of social dynamics and external forces on personal achievement, yet their books ultimately reaffirm the belief in the power of self-direction.
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