<?xml version="1.0" encoding="UTF-8" ?><!-- generator=Zoho Sites --><rss version="2.0" xmlns:atom="http://www.w3.org/2005/Atom" xmlns:content="http://purl.org/rss/1.0/modules/content/"><channel><atom:link href="https://www.drjonritz.com/blogs/tag/self-help/feed" rel="self" type="application/rss+xml"/><title>drjonritz.com - Dr. Jon's Blog #self-help</title><description>drjonritz.com - Dr. Jon's Blog #self-help</description><link>https://www.drjonritz.com/blogs/tag/self-help</link><lastBuildDate>Mon, 16 Mar 2026 16:17:27 -0700</lastBuildDate><generator>http://zoho.com/sites/</generator><item><title><![CDATA[Why it's human nature to feel like an expert when you know a little, but feel like an idiot when you know a little more. ]]></title><link>https://www.drjonritz.com/blogs/post/dunning-kruger</link><description><![CDATA[<img align="left" hspace="5" src="https://www.drjonritz.com/dunning-kruger-reddit.jpg"/>the more you learn, the less you know]]></description><content:encoded><![CDATA[<div class="zpcontent-container blogpost-container "><div data-element-id="elm_QAQY5qG_Qqao5cL3ApXvYA" data-element-type="section" class="zpsection "><style type="text/css"></style><div class="zpcontainer-fluid zpcontainer"><div data-element-id="elm_goWRB2ZuT3uRFlzdDuMrgg" data-element-type="row" class="zprow zprow-container zpalign-items- zpjustify-content- " data-equal-column=""><style type="text/css"></style><div data-element-id="elm_hiKlESVaSRyusLSrgP1ahQ" data-element-type="column" class="zpelem-col zpcol-12 zpcol-md-12 zpcol-sm-12 zpalign-self- "><style type="text/css"> [data-element-id="elm_hiKlESVaSRyusLSrgP1ahQ"].zpelem-col{ border-radius:1px; } </style><div data-element-id="elm_oQpASxGASCuSZiSXKJlEgw" data-element-type="heading" class="zpelement zpelem-heading "><style> [data-element-id="elm_oQpASxGASCuSZiSXKJlEgw"].zpelem-heading { background-color:#ECF0F1; background-image:unset; border-radius:1px; } </style><h2
 class="zpheading zpheading-align-center " data-editor="true"><span style="color:inherit;">&quot;the miscalibration of the incompetent stems from an error about the self, whereas the miscalibration of the highly competent stems from an error about others.&quot;<sup><a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dunning%E2%80%93Kruger_effect#cite_note-Kruger-1">[1]</a><br>- <span style="color:inherit;"><a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/David_Dunning">David Dunning</a> and <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Justin_Kruger">Justin Kruger</a></span></sup></span></h2></div>
<div data-element-id="elm_cwucWS19SkumnEOV-hBJqw" data-element-type="button" class="zpelement zpelem-button "><style> [data-element-id="elm_cwucWS19SkumnEOV-hBJqw"].zpelem-button{ border-radius:1px; } </style><div class="zpbutton-container zpbutton-align-center "><style type="text/css"> [data-element-id="elm_cwucWS19SkumnEOV-hBJqw"] .zpbutton.zpbutton-type-primary{ margin:0px; } </style><a class="zpbutton-wrapper zpbutton zpbutton-type-primary zpbutton-size-md zpbutton-style-none " href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dunning%E2%80%93Kruger_effect" target="_blank"><span class="zpbutton-content">Wikipedia: Dunning-Kruger Effect</span></a></div>
</div><div data-element-id="elm_Z8nmRxWcSnyqaPPFXmekZA" data-element-type="text" class="zpelement zpelem-text "><style> [data-element-id="elm_Z8nmRxWcSnyqaPPFXmekZA"].zpelem-text { border-radius:1px; } </style><div class="zptext zptext-align-center " data-editor="true"><p>If it weren't for a recent Reddit post, I might have never noticed this.&nbsp; Dunning and Kruger (and others) have repeated experiments that kinda prove the age-old maxim&nbsp; that young people can't be bothered with and old people know all too well : that<span style="font-style:italic;"> &quot;the more you learn, the less you know.</span>&quot;&nbsp; <br></p><p><br></p><p>When I saw this image it caught my eye.&nbsp; I suppose I'm drawn to little stick figure cartoons and my eye wanted to follow them along the curve.&nbsp; I saved this post, and came back to it this morning.&nbsp; Since I just skimmed the Wikipedia article, and scrolled through pages of images depicting variations on the theme, each with about the same curve, I'm now standing, again, on Mt. Stupid!&nbsp; So, here you go world, I got something to tell you!&nbsp; I've posted the reddit link below, and then below that are some of my favorite variations of the &quot;meme.&quot;&nbsp; <br></p></div>
</div><div data-element-id="elm_kIrT2JeRmM605Wx_JOHZfQ" data-element-type="image" class="zpelement zpelem-image "><style> [data-element-id="elm_kIrT2JeRmM605Wx_JOHZfQ"].zpelem-image { border-style:solid; border-color:#000000 !important; border-width:1px; border-radius:1px; } </style><div data-caption-color="" data-size-tablet="" data-size-mobile="" data-align="center" data-tablet-image-separate="" data-mobile-image-separate="" class="zpimage-container zpimage-align-center zpimage-size-large zpimage-tablet-fallback-large zpimage-mobile-fallback-large "><figure role="none" class="zpimage-data-ref"><a class="zpimage-anchor" href="https://www.reddit.com/r/coolguides/comments/elhwth/dunningkruger_effect/?utm_source=share&amp;utm_medium=web2x" target="_blank" title="Post on Reddit featuring this image" rel=""><picture><img class="zpimage zpimage-style-none zpimage-space-none " src="/dunning-kruger-reddit.jpg" size="large" style="width:750px;padding:0px;margin:0px;"/></picture></a><figcaption class="zpimage-caption zpimage-caption-align-center"><span class="zpimage-caption-content">From subreddit: r/coolgiudes (and reposted on r/PhD, and probably others</span></figcaption></figure></div>
</div><div data-element-id="elm_R7YddhihIjST_eCfbxq1jg" data-element-type="image" class="zpelement zpelem-image "><style> [data-element-id="elm_R7YddhihIjST_eCfbxq1jg"].zpelem-image { border-style:solid; border-color:#000000 !important; border-width:1px; border-radius:1px; } </style><div data-caption-color="" data-size-tablet="" data-size-mobile="" data-align="center" data-tablet-image-separate="" data-mobile-image-separate="" class="zpimage-container zpimage-align-center zpimage-size-original zpimage-tablet-fallback-original zpimage-mobile-fallback-original "><figure role="none" class="zpimage-data-ref"><a class="zpimage-anchor" href="https://i.pinimg.com/originals/82/ed/36/82ed360a584b34ba43af350155b7cfd7.png" target="" rel=""><picture><img class="zpimage zpimage-style-none zpimage-space-none " src="/dunning-kruger%20stupid.png" size="original"/></picture></a></figure></div>
</div><div data-element-id="elm_CCYvg3QGLAmgHhF5z6KD-w" data-element-type="image" class="zpelement zpelem-image "><style> [data-element-id="elm_CCYvg3QGLAmgHhF5z6KD-w"].zpelem-image { border-style:solid; border-color:#000000 !important; border-width:1px; border-radius:1px; } </style><div data-caption-color="" data-size-tablet="" data-size-mobile="" data-align="center" data-tablet-image-separate="" data-mobile-image-separate="" class="zpimage-container zpimage-align-center zpimage-size-original zpimage-tablet-fallback-original zpimage-mobile-fallback-original "><figure role="none" class="zpimage-data-ref"><a class="zpimage-anchor" href="https://realizebeauty.wordpress.com/2018/08/28/is-the-dunning-kruger-effect-dumbing-down-our-cosmetic-industry/" target="" rel=""><picture><img class="zpimage zpimage-style-none zpimage-space-none " src="/dunning-kruger.jfif" size="original"/></picture></a></figure></div>
</div><div data-element-id="elm_Y7j4kVbveEXxRGKQJEqGrw" data-element-type="image" class="zpelement zpelem-image "><style> [data-element-id="elm_Y7j4kVbveEXxRGKQJEqGrw"].zpelem-image { border-radius:1px; } </style><div data-caption-color="" data-size-tablet="" data-size-mobile="" data-align="center" data-tablet-image-separate="" data-mobile-image-separate="" class="zpimage-container zpimage-align-center zpimage-size-fit zpimage-tablet-fallback-fit zpimage-mobile-fallback-fit "><figure role="none" class="zpimage-data-ref"><a class="zpimage-anchor" href="http://www.seehint.com/word.asp?no=13844" target="_blank" rel=""><picture><img class="zpimage zpimage-style-none zpimage-space-none " src="/dunning-kruger%20simple.jpg" size="fit" style="width:100%;padding:0px;margin:0px;"/></picture></a><figcaption class="zpimage-caption zpimage-caption-align-center"><span class="zpimage-caption-content">The &quot;humility threshold,&quot; I love it! </span></figcaption></figure></div>
</div><div data-element-id="elm_c11Eo_ae_bo93SaKIXY10A" data-element-type="image" class="zpelement zpelem-image "><style> [data-element-id="elm_c11Eo_ae_bo93SaKIXY10A"].zpelem-image { border-style:solid; border-color:#000000 !important; border-width:1px; border-radius:1px; } </style><div data-caption-color="" data-size-tablet="" data-size-mobile="" data-align="center" data-tablet-image-separate="" data-mobile-image-separate="" class="zpimage-container zpimage-align-center zpimage-size-original zpimage-tablet-fallback-original zpimage-mobile-fallback-original "><figure role="none" class="zpimage-data-ref"><a class="zpimage-anchor" href="http://freeisaverb.com/confidence-is-everything-paul-grahams-startup-curve-and-the-dunning-kruger-effect/" target="_blank" rel=""><picture><img class="zpimage zpimage-style-none zpimage-space-none " src="/dunning-kruger%20startups.png" size="original"/></picture></a><figcaption class="zpimage-caption zpimage-caption-align-center"><span class="zpimage-caption-content">When I looked at this, it occurred to me that this looks a lot like the &quot;New Patient&quot; curve. </span></figcaption></figure></div>
</div><div data-element-id="elm_m_lC-ljcY5_V8r6ZEaJqkQ" data-element-type="imagetext" class="zpelement zpelem-imagetext "><style> [data-element-id="elm_m_lC-ljcY5_V8r6ZEaJqkQ"].zpelem-imagetext{ border-radius:1px; } </style><div data-size-tablet="" data-size-mobile="" data-align="left" data-tablet-image-separate="" data-mobile-image-separate="" class="zpimagetext-container zpimage-with-text-container zpimage-align-left zpimage-size-original zpimage-tablet-fallback-original zpimage-mobile-fallback-original hb-lightbox " data-lightbox-options="
            type:fullscreen,
            theme:dark"><figure role="none" class="zpimage-data-ref"><span class="zpimage-anchor" role="link" tabindex="0" aria-label="Open Lightbox" style="cursor:pointer;"><picture><img class="zpimage zpimage-style-none zpimage-space-none " src="/bertrand%20russel.jfif" size="original" data-lightbox="true"/></picture></span></figure><div class="zpimage-text zpimage-text-align-left " data-editor="true"><span><span><span style="font-size:36px;"><span><span style="font-size:20px;"><span style="font-weight:900;">THE WHOLE PROBLEM WITH THE WORLD TODAY&nbsp; IS THAT FOOLS AND FANATICS&nbsp; ARE ALWAYS SO CERTAIN OF THEMSELVES,&nbsp; AND WISER PEOPLE </span></span></span></span></span></span><span><span><span style="font-size:36px;"><span><span style="font-size:20px;"><span style="font-weight:900;">SO FULL OF DOUBTS.&nbsp;&nbsp; <br></span></span></span></span></span></span><span><span><span style="font-size:36px;"><span><span style="font-size:20px;"><span style="font-weight:900;"></span></span></span></span></span></span><div><span><span><span style="font-size:36px;"><span><span style="font-size:20px;"><span style="font-weight:900;">- Bertrand Russel</span></span></span></span></span></span></div><div><span><span><span style="font-size:36px;"><span></span></span></span></span></div></div>
</div></div></div></div></div></div></div> ]]></content:encoded><pubDate>Thu, 16 Jan 2020 18:22:08 +0000</pubDate></item><item><title><![CDATA[Maybe the self-help gurus need a dose of their own medicine]]></title><link>https://www.drjonritz.com/blogs/post/gurus</link><description><![CDATA[<img align="left" hspace="5" src="https://www.drjonritz.comhttps://images.unsplash.com/photo-1489533119213-66a5cd877091?ixlib=rb-1.2.1&amp;q=80&amp;fm=jpg&amp;crop=entropy&amp;cs=tinysrgb&amp;w=1080&amp;fit=max&amp;ixid=eyJhcHBfaWQiOjQ1Nzk3fQ"/>Why it's best to stick with what you know.]]></description><content:encoded><![CDATA[<div class="zpcontent-container blogpost-container "><div data-element-id="elm_F6Gc41bURjSquoeBYTkTxA" data-element-type="section" class="zpsection "><style type="text/css"></style><div class="zpcontainer-fluid zpcontainer"><div data-element-id="elm_5NsDzV29TKW9sH9wM_6Vdw" data-element-type="row" class="zprow zprow-container zpalign-items- zpjustify-content- " data-equal-column=""><style type="text/css"></style><div data-element-id="elm_yYMt5CQ1TtO96GOnHvq-kQ" data-element-type="column" class="zpelem-col zpcol-12 zpcol-md-12 zpcol-sm-12 zpalign-self- "><style type="text/css"> [data-element-id="elm_yYMt5CQ1TtO96GOnHvq-kQ"].zpelem-col{ border-radius:1px; } </style><div data-element-id="elm_yQ6Lew7gQZST4g6NFhYXYQ" data-element-type="heading" class="zpelement zpelem-heading "><style> [data-element-id="elm_yQ6Lew7gQZST4g6NFhYXYQ"].zpelem-heading { border-radius:1px; } </style><h3
 class="zpheading zpheading-align-center " data-editor="true">Michelle Goodman's recent blog post, &quot;<a href="https://getpocket.com/explore/item/confessions-of-a-failed-self-help-guru?utm_source=pocket-newtab" title="Confessions of a Failed Self-help Guru" target="_blank">Confessions of a Failed Self-help Guru</a>&quot; deserves re-posting<br></h3></div>
<div data-element-id="elm_jv85-TZ8Qjqs_CE5wMaO4g" data-element-type="text" class="zpelement zpelem-text "><style> [data-element-id="elm_jv85-TZ8Qjqs_CE5wMaO4g"].zpelem-text { border-radius:1px; } </style><div class="zptext zptext-align-center " data-editor="true"><p><span style="color:inherit;"><span style="font-size:30px;"><span style="font-size:18px;">&quot;I traveled around the country telling strangers how to better their lives—until I learned that those offering to solve your problems are often the ones who need help. . . . &quot;</span><br></span></span></p></div>
</div><div data-element-id="elm_d0zYEAK5nKyJWKVA-bJNUg" data-element-type="text" class="zpelement zpelem-text "><style> [data-element-id="elm_d0zYEAK5nKyJWKVA-bJNUg"].zpelem-text { border-radius:1px; } </style><div class="zptext zptext-align-left " data-editor="true"><p>My thoughts exactly!&nbsp; I'd prefer to stick with what I know, and continue to expand my skill-set in order to help more people, more effectively.&nbsp; When we find ourselves simply repeating what we've heard (or read), we aren't really adding anything new.&nbsp; Go try it first.&nbsp; Gain real experience.&nbsp; Then you'll have something to talk about.&nbsp; <br></p></div>
</div><div data-element-id="elm_XpWse0g4r5b6l9SGSKHCQA" data-element-type="iconHeadingText" class="zpelement zpelem-iconheadingtext "><style type="text/css"> [data-element-id="elm_XpWse0g4r5b6l9SGSKHCQA"].zpelem-iconheadingtext{ border-radius:1px; } </style><div class="zpicon-container zpicon-align-center "><style></style><span class="zpicon zpicon-common zpicon-anchor zpicon-size-md zpicon-style-none "><svg viewBox="0 0 512 513.5" height="512" width="513.5" xmlns="http://www.w3.org/2000/svg"><path d="M348 64c26.736 0 51.603 10.572 70.5 29.5 18.912 18.912 29.5 43.764 29.5 70.5s-10.588 52.088-29.5 71L395 258.5c-18.896 18.928-44.264 29.5-71 29.5a98.629 98.629 0 0 1-36.5-7l26-26c3.44.608 6.916 1 10.5 1 18.208 0 35.62-7.12 48.5-20l23.5-23.5c26.56-26.56 26.56-69.956 0-96.5-12.864-12.88-29.808-20-48-20-18.208 0-35.636 7.104-48.5 20L276 139.5c-15.952 15.935-22.264 38.28-19 59l-26 26a98.568 98.568 0 0 1-7-36.5c0-26.736 10.588-52.088 29.5-71L277 93.5C295.896 74.572 321.264 64 348 64zm-39.5 116.5l23 23-128 128-23-23zM188 224a98.629 98.629 0 0 1 36.5 7l-26 26c-3.44-.608-6.916-1-10.5-1-18.208 0-35.62 7.12-48.5 20L116 299.5c-26.56 26.56-26.56 69.956 0 96.5 12.864 12.88 29.808 20 48 20 18.208 0 35.636-7.104 48.5-20l23.5-23.5c15.952-15.935 22.264-38.28 19-59l26-26a98.568 98.568 0 0 1 7 36.5c0 26.736-10.588 52.088-29.5 71L235 418.5c-18.896 18.928-44.264 29.5-71 29.5s-51.603-10.572-70.5-29.5C74.588 399.588 64 374.736 64 348s10.588-52.088 29.5-71l23.5-23.5c18.896-18.928 44.264-29.5 71-29.5z"></path></svg></span><h4 class="zpicon-heading " data-editor="true"><a href="https://getpocket.com/explore/item/confessions-of-a-failed-self-help-guru?utm_source=pocket-newtab" title="Click to Read Michelle's Post" target="_blank">Click to Read Michelle's Post</a><br></h4><div class="zpicon-text-container " data-editor="true"><p><br></p></div>
</div></div><div data-element-id="elm_AB0c1pV3Hf35sYGykqc_MA" data-element-type="image" class="zpelement zpelem-image "><style> [data-element-id="elm_AB0c1pV3Hf35sYGykqc_MA"].zpelem-image { border-radius:1px; } </style><div data-caption-color="" data-size-tablet="" data-size-mobile="" data-align="center" data-tablet-image-separate="" data-mobile-image-separate="" class="zpimage-container zpimage-align-center zpimage-size-medium zpimage-tablet-fallback-medium zpimage-mobile-fallback-medium hb-lightbox " data-lightbox-options="
                type:fullscreen,
                theme:dark"><figure role="none" class="zpimage-data-ref"><span class="zpimage-anchor" role="link" tabindex="0" aria-label="Open Lightbox" style="cursor:pointer;"><picture><img class="zpimage zpimage-style-roundcorner zpimage-space-none " src="https://images.unsplash.com/photo-1562776930-f2a2492c9c8f?ixlib=rb-1.2.1&amp;q=80&amp;fm=jpg&amp;crop=entropy&amp;cs=tinysrgb&amp;w=1080&amp;fit=max&amp;ixid=eyJhcHBfaWQiOjQ1Nzk3fQ" size="medium" data-lightbox="true" style="width:1080px;padding:0px;margin:0px;"/></picture></span></figure></div>
</div></div></div></div></div></div> ]]></content:encoded><pubDate>Mon, 13 Jan 2020 17:55:39 +0000</pubDate></item></channel></rss>