Earlier quoted context omitted.
This is my problem with self-help books... you must try to replace years of your own learning, rationalizing and understanding with someone else's ideas, absorbed only through a few hours of reading. Naturally, it falls apart quickly.
Interesting. Why do you think it falls apart? Is there something a book author can do to make it "stick"? Is there something the book _reader_ might do (e.g. before / during reading the book) to be more receptive? What other medium would work better in your opinion for the kind of life change that self help usually tries to create?
For example, hanging out with people that are into fitness does a lot more for you than going it alone. Working a service job and having to speak to people to make money does more for your confidence than any motivating words. It's different for different people, of course.