Good question. The link to Chapter 1 of drclay's book http://www.psychologicalselfhelp.org/Chapter1/ talks about many of the thoughts behind self help.

I think for anything to work well, one has to believe it will help. IMO, most of the really effective therapies involve some sort of self improvement, self understanding.

Why not try it on something you feel is an easy fix, but you "just" need some guidance or motivation to accomplish it? Good wishes.