We have come a long way from the days of Marcus Aurelius, Sun Tzu, Balthazar Gracian or even Samuel Smiles. This is an age of charismatic self-help gurus, who, as the critics point out help themselves more than they do for their readers and audiences.

A friend who had read "The Secret" pointed out to me that book plainly served as advertisements for the so-called gurus who offered their experiences in the book.

Thing is, I do not much about the effectiveness of self-help books. That is why I summarized them in The Success Manual, whatever helps you with the journey.

Thing is, whether self-help books help you or not, they sure give you hope. And as the Irish proverb goes, "Hope is the biggest medicine." That is all marketing is all about: Hope.

[From the 100 Ways To Be Being Remarkable Series, a special project that brings you business and self-development advice from The Success Manual. ]