Want to kill your ego?
Imagine your life until now being something you read, not something you were subjected too, then start thinking about what the character should do. (source)
This is a very powerful statement. Most of us would know exactly what the character should do — to feel better, to be better — yet many of us would just go on and keep doing the same things that hurt us, or prevent us to move forward, grow, improve.
It’s easier to read the book, than to write it. We’re addicted to our hardships.