Whew. This article sure goes in lots of interesting places.

I started an oilfield service business in 1985, with a lot of positive energy and vision. I was a consumer of the self-help industry back then, attending seminars and buying books and cassettes. Think positive, and growth will come. My industry took a big hit and all the positive thinking would not help me.

I came to the conclusion that there are some good things from the self-help industry. I still consciously employ a few principles from Steven Covey. But like all things, self-help needs to done in moderation. Absorbing ourselves in positive energy will not get the work done.