Now, there are quite a few different types: * short daily exercises * full-time one-week and targets: * happier life * success * money (and more)
Has anyone tried any such (or similar) programs ?
Did they change your life in any meaningful way ?
The scientific literature supports only a few interventions that can measurably improve happiness:
- keeping a daily gratitude journal (in which you write down what your thankful for at the end of every day; there's a great iPhone App for this actually)
- giving things to others
- investing your resources in experiences versus materials (a new gadget eventually loses its shine, but fun experiences, especially with friends, improve happiness over the long-term)
- join a group that meets regularly (regardless of what kind of group it is); there's actually really strong evidence that this measurably improves happiness
I've spent a decent amount of time reading self-improvement books/blogs, and for me the stuff that made the most impact were things that were tailored to the problems I was having at the time.
Here's an overview of what I've read over the years that have helped me to some extent:
I Can Do Anything if I Only Knew What it Was: http://www.amazon.com/Could-Anything-Only-Knew-What/dp/04405...
Paul Graham's Essays: http://www.paulgraham.com/articles.html
How to Win Friends and Influence People: http://www.amazon.com/How-Win-Friends-Influence-People/dp/14...
Four Hour Work Week: http://www.amazon.com/4-Hour-Workweek-Escape-Live-Anywhere/d...
Randy Pausch, Time Management: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oTugjssqOT0
GTD: http://www.amazon.com/Getting-Things-Done-Stress-Free-Produc...
Steve Pavlina: http://www.stevepavlina.com/
7 Habits of Highly Effective People (reading this now): http://www.amazon.com/Habits-Highly-Effective-People/dp/0671...
So I would say "it depends" on what you want out of life and where you are now. Self improvement is a life-long task and you will need advice that changes as you progress.