Danish academic recommends 'A dose of negativity' :
Professor Svend Brinkmann's anti-self-help guide promises liberation through a dose of refreshing negativity based on Roman Stoic thought.
He argues for a return to civic virtues, duties and ethical obligations.
"Roman Stoics were the self-help authors of their day ... it's more important to be a decent human being than to be yourself all the time, to fulfil your obligations," he said.
"We need a language with which to talk about those aspects of life and I don't think the whole self-improvement/self-optimisation/self-development language is adequate."
Here are his seven tips for moving forward:
1. Cut out the navel gazing
2. Focus on the negative in your life
3. Learn to say "no"
4. Suppress your feelings
5. Sack your coach
6. Read a novel (not a self-help book or inspiring biography)
7. Dwell on the past