Back in 2011, venture capitalist Marc Andreesen posited that “we are in the middle of a dramatic and broad technological and economic shift in which software companies are poised to take over large swathes of the economy.” Hard to argue with that prediction as we close out 2015.
One surprise, however, might be the infiltration of software applications into the multi-billion-dollar self-help industry. Historically, self-help has been administered by “cults of personality,” powered by people like Robert Kiyosaki, Susan Jeffers, Tony Robbins, and Deepak Chopra.
The power (and stigma) of the “guru” has been both the driver and downfall of the legitimacy of self-help. Is technology the key to delivering the benefits without the bullshit?
Some seem to think so. Even better, self-help apps move the emphasis off of charlatans charismatic individuals and onto the technology and the user.
You can still get connected with qualified experts, so the human connection persists. But the same technology platforms can also help to quantify and optimize your level of wellness in any given pursuit.
People are definitely responding. And that means the money will start chasing the space:
- “Consumer adoption of self-help apps appears to be accelerating, given their proliferation and strong performance in app-store rankings. Collectively, we are tracking more than 100 apps in the self-help category; only 10 percent are venture funded. Roughly $200 million in venture capital has been invested in these few companies, with the top three representing more than 50 percent of that capital.”
So, self-help apps are emerging out of the “minimum viable product” phase, and into the big-time world of the VC overlords. Which may lead to better products, or into an entirely new realm of BS.
Are Apps The New Gurus? The Rise Of Self-Help Tech
further: health
Booze Clues
“The holidays are a time when cocktails are flowing. Downing two or three drinks (or more!) at a party can mean you’re taking in an excess of 1,000 calories – not counting the food or dessert, which can be an additional 1,000 calories.”
The Best and Worst Alcoholic Drinks for Your Waistline
Fasting and Furious
We talked earlier this year about the longevity and general health benefits of intermittent fasting. But the first thing most people want to know is “Will it help me lose weight?” This is the most balanced article on the topic I’ve seen.
Health Check: Will intermittent fasting diets help you lose weight?
Morning Phase
Spoiler alert! “New research reveals that working out early in the day may bring additional benefits for weight loss, improved sleep, and much more.”
Morning or Night: When is the Best Time to Exercise?
further: wealth
The Zoolander Effect
Shockingly, being really, really, really, ridiculously good looking can hurt a man’s career, even if he’s not, you know, an absolute idiot.
Handsome men more likely to be rejected for competitive jobs
Creative Discounting
Not to be outdone, women face unwarranted discrimination when it comes to creative tasks, even as creativity becomes more essential than ever for any organization. Research reveals that “people are more likely to associate creativity with men than with women.”
The Creativity Bias Against Women
Critical Conditioning
One of the reasons I’ll never regret having gone to law school was the intense training in critical thinking. Sadly, critical thinking is the number one skill that too many people seem to have zero training in. Check this out to see how you’re doing in this department.
Use This Simple Math Problem to Kick Critical Thinking Into High Gear
further: wisdom
Mental Toughness Revisited
We’ve talked about mental toughness and the relationship to your mind and your physical endurance and ability over the last few weeks. This article is a year old, but it’s an excellent and comprehensive overview of the things we’ve touched on.
How (and Why) to Develop Your Mental Toughness
The Quick Brown Fox Trips and Falls
“Many people who excel in producing things that matter have work habits that seem downright lazy by the standards in their field.”
Want to Create Things That Matter? Be Lazy.
Redefining Growth
“I believe it’s time to move beyond an academic growth mindset (beliefs about intelligence) and embrace a personal growth mindset. In her 1989 seminal paper “Happiness Is Everything, or Is It?”, Carol Ryff argues that the drive to actualize oneself and realize one’s potentialities is critical to well-being.”
Is it Time for a Personal Growth Mindset?
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Further is officially one year old (well, tomorrow … but close enough). Time flies, and it’s time to call it done for 2015 and get ready for a fantastic 2016. Thanks for following along with me so far, and happy holidays to you and yours!
Keep going-
Brian Clark
Tour Guide
Further
