I’ll sometimes see a product at the store which has a big, bold message on the box which reads: “New and Improved.” Or, sometimes it might read: “New Formula – Improved Taste” or something like that.

If the product was already good, in my opinion, I’m going to be kind of suspicious of how I’m going to feel about the “improved” version of it. I have the attitude of, “If it ain’t broke, don’t fix it.”

Remember the “New Coke” fiasco years ago. Coca-Cola thought that its “new and improved” formula was going to be a hit. The original was quickly brought back after the public rejected the new version. Ads for the “New Coke” were booed at sports stadiums. In Seattle, the new stuff was publicly poured into the sewer. According to Wikipedia, Coca-Cola lost about $30 million on that failed “improved” product.

So, now let me take a “hard left turn” here to a changed, but perhaps related topic. I found myself in Ace Hardware in Ephraim last Saturday.

I sometimes never know where I’m going to find myself for one reason or another.

I didn’t go in there to look at books, but that’s what I did for 20 minutes or so. Who knew there was a pretty decent book department in there. (When I left the hardware store, I went to the library to check out hammers and wrenches. Just kidding.)

I spent a lot of my time looking at a book titled, “Habits of a Peacemaker” by Steven T. Collis. He’s a law professor at the University of Texas – Austin. I researched him a little and found out that he got his undergraduate degree at BYU. (And that gives me the chance to say, “Yay Coogs!” in celebration of their drubbing of Colorado in the Alamo Bowl football game Saturday evening.)

Some of the habits of a peacemaker that the book put forth were:

“Intellectual Humility, Assume the Best about People, Be Open to Change, Spend Time with People.” The book seemed to be interesting and well-written.

Now, I’m getting to the connection with the “new and improved” concept at the top of this column. As I browsed the book, I thought about the general premise of “self-help/motivational” books and programs. Many of us want to become “new and improved” in one way or another.

The start of a new year is the time that is traditional for us to set goals and resolutions. It’s the time we often attempt to tackle the challenges in our lives. We try to get healthier in body and spirit. We try to quit smoking. We try to improve our eating habits, etc. etc. etc.

I often see books for improvement and think, “that would be good for so and so. They really need to learn that.” Then I realize, oops – I’m the one who needs that improvement.

I sometimes wonder how effective some of these books would be for me. Consider these popular titles on the market right now. These are real.

“The Courage to Be Disliked”

“The Power of Letting Go: How to Drop Everything That’s Holding You Back”

“Chop Wood, Carry Water: How to Fall in Love with the Process of Becoming Great”

“Get out of Your Own Way: Overcoming Self-Defeating Behavior”

And finally, “Be the Unicorn.” Sometimes I think that’s my problem. I am a unicorn and it might not be a good thing.

I believe that “self-help” books can be just that – helpful to one’s self, IF the reader wants to be helped or allows the help to take place. Otherwise, it’s just a reading of theoretical ideas that sound good. Taking action is the key.

This concept goes along with a Franklin D. Roosevelt quote that I read in a different self-help book some time ago. He said, “It is common sense to take a method and try it. If it fails, admit it frankly and try another. But above all, try something.”

We all know people who seem to be living tranquil, stress-free lives. I’m skeptical. I don’t think all that tranquility always comes from self-help books.

I think there might be pharmaceuticals involved with some people. And, that’s okay. Heaven knows that I’m doing a little “better living through chemistry” with some of my body’s aches and pains.

So here we are on the brink of 2025. I think we owe it to ourselves to make attempts to become “new and improved.” I believe that even little improvements will make a difference in how we feel about ourselves and life.

So, give something a try in the effort for self-improvement in 2025. It might be fun. It might be life changing. Just be careful. Nobody wants to see you trade the “Classic Coke you” in for some icky “New Coke you.” Happy Prosperous New Year! — Merrill