Just a small post to direct you to an interesting and entertaining lecture by Alain de Botton on career crises and the psychology and sociology behind ‘success’ (hat tip BNET):
One quote: “It is not the material goods we want, it is the rewards. (…) The next time you see someone driving a Ferrari, don’t think this is someone who is greedy, think this is someone who is incredibly vulnerable and in need of love.” I suppose this could be another way to look at the bonuses in modern banking…
On self help books:
http://lifeandtimesblog.wordpress.com/2009/01/23/misery-loves-motivation/