It is interesting that you gloss over, and refrain from mentioning, one of the key lessons from self-help books, which is to take action.

No amount of advice or assistance will ever work if you are not prepared to put it into practice and use it, learn from it, adapt it and reflect on it.

Reading of books without action will not help one iota. As a matter of fact, the reading of books without the willingness, ambition and humility to learn from it and make use of its lessons is a huge waste of time.

So save yourself time and learn the other way - through trial and error. It is the hard way, but it is better than drowning in inertia.