The word self help has a stigma associated with it. It implies that the person using it is either weak minded or has some sort of character flaw.

So when people think of reading self help books, they usually think of reading them to overcome flaws in their personalities, self-esteem , or confidence.

This is why people stay away from or hate to admit that they are using these tools; because they don't want to admit or let others know there is a flaw in them.

However, there is much more to self help books than that. Although these tools can help you smooth over character flaws and deficiencies in your personality, its effects are not limited to just this area.

You can use self help books to help you improve other areas of yourself and your life.

Self Help Books Give You the Skills to Succeed

None of us are perfect, and none of us are born with the exact knowledge of how to handle every situation we are put in.

In addition, different circumstances call for different set of skills. In a class setting, good studying and note taking skills are required to perform well. In an atmosphere with aggressive and rebellious people, strong assertiveness skills are needed. In certain jobs or positions of authority, effective problem solving skills are critical.

All of us need a good balance of these skills to move through life.

But when we fall short in any one or more of these areas, the limitation can significantly hinder our effectiveness. If strong enough, it can hold a tight grip on us and prevent us from living the life we desire.

This is why self help books are so important.

They fill in the gaps in those areas of our lives we did not learn in school, pick up from our parents, or develop growing up. More importantly, they give us the skills we so desperately need to make our life a success.

Self Help Books Give You the Strength to Overcome Obstacles

Traveling on the road of life, you will encounter road blocks. There is no denying that.

You may face the challenge of finding a new job, confront an illness like depression or obesity , or encounter some other obstacle that makes your life dreadful.

Too often I see people encounter road blocks, and instead of finding ways to maneuver around them, they simply resign. They accept that either they can't rise above the obstacle or doing so would be too difficult.

In essence, the obstacle becomes a heavy ball they chain themselves to - which restricts not only how fast, but how far they can go in life.

This is unfortunate, because with the right knowledge and proper guidance, anyone can learn to overcome any hurdle life throws at them. Whatever problem you are facing, there are many self help books at your disposal that can help guide you out of your difficulty.

Others have faced the same problems you are facing right now, and using the right tools, they have found a way to overcome their adversity.

And so can you!

As you can see, self help books do more than simply improve self-esteem and confidence. They give you the skills you need to be better, stronger, and smarter. More importantly, they guide you through obstacles that enable you to enjoy a happier, more successful, and fulfilled life.

So the next time you are looking to gain expertise or are confronting a challenge, don't be too shy or too proud to look to self help books for answers. I guarantee you will find the answers you need and will be steered in the right direction - a direction that will eliminate any confusion about what you want and how to get it.

Author's Bio: 

Mike C. is the founder of SelfMadeEasy.com, Inc., a self help company that has helped individuals of all shapes and sizes overcome obstacles of all shapes and sizes.

Whether you're looking for ways to manage anger, improve memory, break habits, lose weight, manage depression, or become more assertive, he invites you to visit http://www.selfmadeeasy.com and discover self help books with solutions to these and many of life's other problems.