We all have our own ways of dealing with stress, challenges, and other kinds of life's dilemmas.

Have you ever considered using self-help books? Or wanted to attend seminars from self-proclaimed gurus?

Today, James and Claudia talk about their thoughts on the self-help industry.

Find out why James says that self-help books are simply placebos and do not heal or confront the real route of any problem.

You'll hear James and Claudia share several ways that you can help yourself with simple daily activities and exercises.

Plus, you won't want to miss out on Part II of today's segment...

Want to find out what "life hacks" James uses?

We're exposed to marketing and branding every day. In fact, there are even circumstances where we need to market ourselves, whether it is for a job, a relationship, an idea, etc.

But are you marketing effectively?

Today, James and Claudia talk about the importance of promoting yourself and the different exercises that will help you master the process.

Do you have the skills it takes to promote a vision?

Here you get the necessary tools and concepts for self-advertising and executing any idea.

What advice do he has for children? What do you do to encourage them to be creative and to have a live where they Choose Themselves. 

You can't just tell your kids to do something and expect them to do it. You have to show them. You have to lead by example. 

You have to be honest, authentic, fair but firm. 

You can try challenging your kids. Find those things that interest them and give them some tools to push these to the next level. 

Think of ways to do it when you're together, just hanging out. Make a game out of it. 

James gives us a few examples.

Claudia is about to jump into Ask Altucher and forgets the question. It’s too funny. How often have we all done this? I know I do it almost daily. 

Anyway…Lindsay emailed us a great question. “I want to change, but I don’t know what my passion is?”

James jumps right in, questioning whether or not passion alone is enough to be successful. 

He suggests that you should rite down what interests you—no limits just start writing. The next step is to start combining these ideas and see what happens.

Don’t be disappointed if you try one or two things that fail. The technique is to try 10 or 20. 

Just keep trying.

And in today’s Second Segment, James gives us some writing tips. He discusses how to utilize “the cliffhanger”.

James interrupts Claudia from her daily yoga routine to bring you today's Ask Altucher question.

On our sister show, The James Altucher Show, James interviewed Peter Thiel. It was one of James' best interviews, and if you've not listened to it yet, click here. 

Claudia asks James, "What's the one thing that Peter said that caused the biggest impression on you, the ONE thing" 

If you're going to start a business, something really new and innovative, then be 10 times better than your competitor.

James takes this idea and expands it into everything you should do in your daily life.

20% better is not enough; you have to blow away the completion... 

And in today's second segment, James tells us what makes for a great interview. You can learn a lot by practicing some of these techniques in whatever you do.

Today James and Claudia host expert book promoter Michael Drew.

While James is a huge proponent of self-publishing he wanted Michael to explain to you the other side of the story. 

According to Michael, self published books, right or wrong will never make The New York Times bestselling book list.

With an impressive track record, which he says includes “80 books out of 80 books onto national bestseller lists”, Michael Drew is THE authority on how to turn your book into a bestseller. 

He knows all the tricks and while you may not think they’re fair, they are what they are. 

“Creating a best seller is 90% knowledge, secrets and timing, and only about 10% great book. The crazy thing…very few people in the publishing industry understand that.”

The notion of a 9 to 5 carrying us into the safety of retirement is dead.

But how can you quit the grind. How can you plan for your future?

Today, James and Claudia talk about the steps you may need to put in place before you make the jump.

You may have to work multiple jobs before you can feel secure enough to quit. That's OK, but you need to make sure you're healthy enough to work this hard. 

Plus, James gives a good rule of thumb as to when it's time to finally Choose Yourself.

And in our new segment, James and Claudia discuss an idea that James has been thinking about. It's there for one of you to take and run with.

Something New – Our Listener Location MAP

We asked you to tell us where you are and what you're doing when you listen to Ask Altucher.

Your responses have been amazing... 

You're listening in North and South America, Asia, Africa, Europe, and Australia. You listen while driving, hiking, biking, and walking. We help you get through those daily chores like cooking dinner, cleaning the house, and mowing your lawn.

But this is just the beginning... 

We have huge plans to take this to another level. Stay tuned; we're hard at work right now getting it ready.

So keep sending us your notes. We'll post them weekly to our map, and we'll be announcing something new and exciting soon.

Click here to see the map. 

And let's see if we can fill it up.

If you have a question that you would like to ask James, you can either:

·       Ask a question at Askaltucher.com.

James has been known to give away his possessions to friends and acquaintances.

Although they may be special objects to James, he seems to find others whom he feels would get more use or enjoyment out of them.

Today, James and Claudia talk about different things that he has given away and why he finds freedom from the process.

Plus, they introduce a new segment to Ask Altucher on business advice. And more specifically, they discuss a business idea that could help reduce student loans.

Something New – Our Listener Location MAP

We asked you to tell us where you are and what you're doing when you listen to Ask Altucher.

Your responses have been amazing...

You're listening in North and South America, Asia, Africa, Europe, and Australia. You listen while driving, hiking, biking, and walking. We help you get through those daily chores like cooking dinner, cleaning the house, and mowing your lawn. 

But this is just the beginning... 

We have huge plans to take this to another level. Stay tuned, we're hard at work right now getting it ready.

So keep sending us your notes, we'll post them weekly to our map, and we'll be announcing something new and exciting soon. 

Click here to see the map 

And let's see if we can fill it up. 

If you have a question that you would like to ask James, you can either:

Ask a question at Askaltucher.com.

Choose Yourself is one of James' most successful books... but is the idea of choosing yourself actually a selfish concept?

Today, James and Claudia discuss an email that was sent in from a listener who is concerned that by choosing herself she will be considered selfish.

The problem is, if you aren't able to take care of your own well-being, you can't expect to care for or help anyone else.

It may seem selfish on the surface, but choosing yourself is probably the most unselfish thing you can do.

Here you will learn that when you start each day with James' daily practices you are not only creating positive energy for yourself but you are also making yourself available to others.

Also, on today's second segment, James turns the table and asks Claudia a question about an area that she is an expert in.

Do you make lists to manage your time?

Do you feel that you are usually disappointed when you are not able to cross off each item?

Today, James and Claudia talk about their thoughts on "To-Do" lists. Something that James considers more efficient is to actually make an "I did" list instead.

Could this be a new strategy that will improve your productivity with daily activities?

When you make a list of things to do you are really only procrastinating. To delay may mean to forget...

Here you will learn how to avoid disappointment and increase daily accomplishments.

And if you're up for it... James challenges listeners to create an "I did" list for the next 45 days.