Self Improvement Month

Self Improvement Month timeline

February 29, 1960

Tony Robbins birthday

Robbins is perhaps the most recognized self-improvement "guru" of the modern era. Thousands attend his seminars at arenas around the world.

August 1958

Self improvement comes to television

Dr. Joyce Brothers, a psychologist, began her own TV show — offering advice to viewers. Brothers also wrote many self-improvement books and was a syndicated advice columnist.

October 1936

Winning friends and influencing people

Dale Carnegie published "How to Win Friends and Influence People," the first widely read self-help book and one of the bestselling books of all time.

Self Improvement Month FAQs

When is Self Improvement Month?

Self Improvement Month 2026 runs throughout September, from Tuesday, September 1, to Wednesday, September 30. It’s a dedicated time to focus on personal growth and well-being.

How large is the self-improvement industry?

The self-improvement industry in the United States is valued at nearly $11 billion. This robust market offers a wide array of books, courses, apps, and products designed to enhance personal, mental, and physical health.

What are common areas of self-improvement?

Self-improvement encompasses diverse areas, including mental health (mindfulness, stress reduction), physical fitness (exercise, nutrition), financial literacy, career development, relationship skills, and creative pursuits. It’s about holistic growth.

Who founded Self Improvement Month?

Self Improvement Month was established by motivational speaker and author Patrick Snow. He created the observance to encourage individuals to take proactive steps towards achieving their personal and professional goals.

How to Observe Self Improvement Month

Adopt an exercise routine

It happens every year — the annual migration to the gym after the holidays to shed all that turkey weight. Why wait? Get a jump on the holidays and start an exercise routine or join a gym to be in tip-top shape before the holidays arrive.

Read some books

There are a million self-help books on the market that cover everything from work/life balance — to improving self-confidence — to managing relationships with family members and friends. Crawl up with a book or two that might introduce you to some new and helpful ideas.

Volunteer

People who volunteer are happier and feel volunteering gives them a sense of purpose. Identify one or two charities that align with your interests and commit to volunteering a few hours a week or month. You'll be helping them, and yourself.

5 Self-improvement Facts And Figures

Self improvement is big business

The self-improvement industry, which includes books, magazines, seminars, and a host of other products, is worth $11 billion annually in the U.S.

Publishers love self help

Self-help books account for 5.7 percent of all books sold each year in the U.S.

Next stop: Mars (and Venus)

"Men Are from Mars, Women Are from Venus," by John Gray, is the bestselling self-help book of all time, with more than 50 million sold.

Women outnumber men in the market

Women make up 70 percent of the consumers who purchase self-help products.

The speaker circuit

There are more than 5,000 motivational speakers on the road each year, some commanding as much as $50,000 per appearance.

Why Self Improvement Month is Important

It's an annual personal health checkup

We can think about how to improve our mental and physical health. It acts as a catalyst for us to get better.

It's self-empowering

Only we have the power to make the choices that improve our lives, whether it's changing our diet or lifestyle, starting an exercise regimen, reading more books, or joining groups or clubs that expand our social circle.

It's an industry

The self-improvement industry offers many tools. These include life coaches and therapists, books, diet suggestions, and other products that help millions live better lives.