BurmanBooks is a publisher of motivational and self help books

This particular message may sound a little angry, and frankly, it is.

As some of you may know, I'm a publisher of motivational books, producer and hypnotherapist. I would like to think we provide help to those who need it. At least, I hope we do.

Recently I have been hearing a term more and more that has really been aggravating me. A few of you have retained the services of 'Life Coaches'. Ahh!

The definition of coach according to Websters is 'To give advice'. Fair enough. We acquire coaches in our life to get better results. We try to seek out the coaches that know more than us and can give us the tips to get as close to perfect results as possible. I think we can agree on that point?

Therefore, a life coach would be someone we seek out for advice on how to get better results and provide a path a better path.

The Dalai Lama was asked "what is the meaning of life?' He wrote about the fact that this person had travelled for days and waited for even more days to meet him. He felt bad with giving this answer but nevertheless, it was the honest one which was 'I don't know. I'm trying to figure that out'. I never forgot that.

With someone who has made his life's destiny in finding that answer, he wasn't able to provide one. This is a very strong statement.

Life isn't about clear answers or choices. A life coach who has never died and come back with the answer to life, can't be a a great coach, or in my opinion one to be relied upon.

We were prepping the first High Heels book when we approached two women to contribute. Both turned us down NOT because they didn't want to do it or were uncomfortable by it, but because their 'life coach told them it wasn't a good idea'. One because it could be a negative view, and the other because it was wrong time.

What I found strange about the first one who stated it would be a negative view, never bothered to suggest it would be a positive view on how much she overcame in her life! Was that because her life coach was a bad coach or because her life coach had a bad day? We don't know and will never. But we do know that if a great opportunity can be judged that easily, and the two women never took control over their lives to make their own decision, how many other opportunities were lost?

I think what I'm saying is that psychics, life coaches and anyone else that you seek for advice and must pay for, is no better advice than your grandparent (who might have more life experience) or best friend or parent! Go and help at an old folks home. The advice you will get and the peace of mind by helping them in finding their smile, will be worth more than 20 life coaches!

I cringe when I hear someone leaning on essentially a stranger for life advice because they have lost faith in themselves. Your instinct will tell you what you should or shouldn't do. Your happiness will go up when you follow it, and down when you don't .

Why do we make life so complicated?? I asked my life coach that, but he didn't have an answer...yet.