Reading for True Success
How to not waste your time when reading a book
We all read for various reasons. For some, it’s an awesome leisure activity. Others read actively to learn more about certain topics or just to beef up their knowledge generally.
I have to confess, I’m not someone who reads up to 40 books a year, or even 20. I see it as a huge accomplishment if I can even read 15 (I am a slow reader, always have been).
But one benefit of being a slow reader is that I ensure that I get value from whatever I read. From how I select my books, to how I apply them to improve a particular skill. Because reading alone does not guarantee improvement. Application does.
So, here are 5 things to note to translate your reading into success:
1. Books are made long on purpose. Only focus on the necessary parts.
To successfully publish a book, the author must follow certain guidelines from the publishing company. One example is a minimum number of chapters or words required before any piece of writing can be created as a book, depending on the purpose of that book.
So if a writer wants to pass a message across to readers in 10,000 words, but the publisher says 20,000 minimum, that writer adds more flesh. More flesh = additional info you may not need.
Also, you don’t need to remember everything you read in a book. That’s just stretching your brain for nothing. Take down the most important facts, tips and advice that you need, and leave the rest alone.
2. You mustn’t finish every book you start.
I’m sure many people have said this before me.
If a book is getting slow for you, or the content provides no value, you don’t have to read it till the end. This in no way reduces your self-discipline, in fact it actually boosts it, because you have the skill of discerning what is not relevant to you and putting it away.
3. Read books most relevant to your current situation in life.
The book you’re reading now should give you knowledge or a skill that you currently need.
This year, my focus has been on boosting productivity, career development, time management and investing. So my reading list included books like The Rules of Work by Richard Templar, Eat that Frog by Brian Tracy, Contagious by Jonah Berger (for developing my marketing skills as part of career development), and the list goes on.
Honestly, I didn’t know that I was going to read all those books at the beginning of the year. But as time went on and my goals became clearer, I got them one after the other and read them, because they were relevant to achieving my goals.
4. Write down practical tips only, and implement them. Don’t try to remember vague facts.
One major determinant of success is our ability to learn, unlearn and relearn. From childhood, we are taught abstract theories and facts in classrooms and made to memorize them, and sometimes we don’t know how to apply such facts will be applicable.
But with books, you should be able to apply what you learn immediately. The books you read should improve the quality of your life my making you better at skills, your career, relationships, or whatever niche you choose. Knowledge that you cannot apply means nothing.
For instance, when reading the book Contagious, Why Things Catch on, I wrote down the lessons I learned from the book in the form of strategies I could apply to my business. I didn’t read it to learn simple facts or definitions, I used it as a guide to improve the value my business can deliver to the world.
5. Make it a rule to practice what you have read first, before moving on to a new book
I’ve already established that you need to practice what you learn from books. But just so you don’t procrastinate, do that before you move to the next book.
This will help you curate a reading list of books that you actually need to read. Even though you read a few books, they will still make a positive impact.
Billionaires don’t read books because the ability to read a book makes them more successful. It’s the consistent practice of the relevant lessons they learn that makes them successful.
What book will you be reading next? I hope it brings you one step closer to achieving your goals.
Thanks for reading! Don’t forget to leave your thoughts in the comments section.
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