Are you working on yourself or working on your ideas? Often some of those beliefs will be tied into a person's sense of self, but I think there's something to be said about being direct. This is very hard to talk about, especially online, but the fact is when we just throw out concepts it's easier to be distant to it, and even things which may be close to our hearts are only that, things. It seems to me that it can be very easy to look at all these issues and convince yourself that you are working on yourself when you're only working on anything other than yourself, be it changing some ideas (or more typically, accepting some new ones and rejecting some oldies) or trying to get other people to change. Of course, in this case all you're really doing is avoiding what you have to deal with, right here and now. Atleast those who admit they are afraid to do that are honest enough to acknowledge that they are doing it, (or not) whereas people who develop another sense of self based on some nice ideas they read about (which can of course be useful, but dealing with those ideas doesn't necessarily mean you are dealing with yourself) are really only dealing with ideas, even if one of those ideas is that they are working on themselves.
I'd like to say more about this, but I think it's one of those things that will only get confused if you talk about it too much. Ideas about this abound don't they? Whether you're working with someone or just doing some kind of self-help, there's a ton of information out there. I'm sure different kinds of work is very helpful for different people, but as obvious as it may sound please try to keep in mind that whatever you do, you've gotta deal with yourself. Maybe it's clearer to see in a relationship. You might read something like John Gray's book on Mars and Venus or something, but at the end of the day you have to deal with the partner you want to have a relationship with, and the book just isn't THAT specific! There is a specific guy/gal you are relating with, it's the same thing only it's with yourself. Beyond that basic fact though, also just keep in mind that you are dealing with a living breathing human being, which is beyond any theories about them, any day. Now don't get the idea that I am saying it's a problem, but I guess you could say even just looking at life is better than just thinking about it. How about this: I live, therefore I am.