Balderdash from the world of sales

To start the new year, I thought I would introduce an occasional series where I seek to throw some cold water on the more overheated sales gurus.

I use the word "guru" advisedly.     Why do so many people place themselves as a life coach?  Is it because they're the best at being alive?    What is this madness?

I could have called it many things but instead I thought I should just call it "balderdash"., I offer you this link as an introduction to the kind of thing I am on about.  

Whenever there's a list of things to improve your life, you can bet that something vapid and perfunctory is coming.   This is a classic example.  If you do these nine things every day, you can be happier!   

One suggestion is to say these words if a politics or religious argument starts at work -  "Thinking about that stuff makes my head hurt.".    My advice would be to join in if you think you have something to add, or say "I don't know"' if you don't know.     I think advising people not to have opinions, or telling them to pretend to be thick is rubbish  advice.  

Or to give a beggar some loose change because the peace of mind is "worth" the spare change.

No it isn't.   Peace of mind, like good manners, doesn't "cost" anything.   Just do it to be nice - if you want to.  

The image accompanying the piece is of a young woman walking into a waist-high wheat field.   Is this the action of a well-rounded, happy person?    If she has seen Hitchcock's North by Northwest, she'd better get out of there quick.