Not every self help book is right for you.
Reading self help books are all the rage these days. If you’re not reading them, you may feel you’re doing something wrong or that you are not on the road to success.
Do not follow the herd mentality. Just because the book is a bestseller, doesn't mean it's right for you. Out of the multitude of books, you should focus on your niche, like I needed to build better habits so I chose Atomic Habits because the idea of making small changes resonated with me. I easily get overwhelmed so this was a good starting point.
The number of books you read doesn't matter.
Somebody I know boasts of having a shelf full of business productivity books, yet I have never seen him implement any principle. His bank account always has a red line and loans that should have been paid years ago are still pending. He is sinking under his constantly piling debt especially due to the recession from the pandemic.
When you feel the urge to pile up books, keep in mind this anecdote. It's better to have one intimate relationship than having 10 friends that are there to help you pass the time. The impact matters more than the number.
Here are some simple tips to get you started:
Read each chapter twice.
The easy language of the book does not require you to read a paragraph more than once. But profoundness does not depend on comprehensibility. To implement, you need to absorb the text, it's meaning, practicality and the way you can incorporate them into your life.
The easy language of the book does not require you to read a paragraph more than once. But profoundness does not depend on comprehensibility. To implement, you need to absorb the text, it's meaning, practicality and the way you can incorporate them into your life.
Take notes in the margins.
This is something I learned from Bill Gates and you can too. Reading is not a passive activity. It will be if you don't engage with the text through writing your own opinions. When you communicate with the text, you have to ponder over what you are reading and why does make you think the way it does.
This is something I learned from Bill Gates and you can too. Reading is not a passive activity. It will be if you don't engage with the text through writing your own opinions. When you communicate with the text, you have to ponder over what you are reading and why does make you think the way it does.
For this reason hardcopies are better. But if you are reading online, take notes on your phone or desktop's notes or writing application. Add the page number, chapter name (for context, most self help books have chapter names for this reason) and the thoughts you have along with the quote.
For example:
Atomic Habits, Pg. 20, Para. 5,
For example:
Atomic Habits, Pg. 20, Para. 5,
Ch. 1 The surprising power of Atomic Habits.
"You should be far more concerned with
your current trajectory than with your current results."
:Lately I have been so anxious on the outcome of the work I do that I cannot do it at all.
You can use different colour highlights too or post-its for hardcopies.
Show your thoughts to someone or post them on the internet.
The quality of your work will automatically increase if you have someone that cares to read it. You will start caring for it too, and put in more effort. You can show it to a friend, family or make a blog and post it on the internet. Posting on the internet becomes synonymous with fretting over the number of views, but ultimately it's upto you. If you get 37 views that will still be better than showing it to just one person.
And you're good to go!
Your reading experience is unique and you have all the right to make it so. Be creative with the learning process and it will be much more satisfying.
"You should be far more concerned with
your current trajectory than with your current results."
:Lately I have been so anxious on the outcome of the work I do that I cannot do it at all.
You can use different colour highlights too or post-its for hardcopies.
Show your thoughts to someone or post them on the internet.
The quality of your work will automatically increase if you have someone that cares to read it. You will start caring for it too, and put in more effort. You can show it to a friend, family or make a blog and post it on the internet. Posting on the internet becomes synonymous with fretting over the number of views, but ultimately it's upto you. If you get 37 views that will still be better than showing it to just one person.
And you're good to go!
Your reading experience is unique and you have all the right to make it so. Be creative with the learning process and it will be much more satisfying.