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You might read 52 books per year…
But I’m more impressed if you read one book and let it change you.
Here are 9 tips to maximize your reading:
But I’m more impressed if you read one book and let it change you.
Here are 9 tips to maximize your reading:
1. Understand why you’re reading.
More books isn’t the goal.
The goal might be to:
change your behavior
sharpen your craft
get into someone else’s head
validate what you know but need a reminder of
If that means reading one or two books a year? Do that.
More books isn’t the goal.
The goal might be to:
change your behavior sharpen your craft get into someone else’s head validate what you know but need a reminder ofIf that means reading one or two books a year? Do that.
2. You don’t have to read the whole book.
If the book doesn’t speak to you, find one that does. You don’t get points for suffering through a book you hate.
Once you embrace this, reading will instantly become more enjoyable.
If the book doesn’t speak to you, find one that does. You don’t get points for suffering through a book you hate.
Once you embrace this, reading will instantly become more enjoyable.
3. If you’re reading for entertainment, savor each page.
I used to think everything was a race.
You don’t have to force yourself to “read faster” just to check a book off your list.
Take your time and enjoy yourself.
I used to think everything was a race.
You don’t have to force yourself to “read faster” just to check a book off your list.
Take your time and enjoy yourself.
4. Stop when you “get the joke.”
Funny story from when I worked w/ Seth Godin:
Seth: Here are 11 books for you to read.
Me: Cool, I’ll read one every few weeks?
Seth: Finish them by end of day.
His point wasn’t to read cover to cover.
It was to read until you get the gist.
Funny story from when I worked w/ Seth Godin:
Seth: Here are 11 books for you to read.
Me: Cool, I’ll read one every few weeks?
Seth: Finish them by end of day.
His point wasn’t to read cover to cover.
It was to read until you get the gist.
Stopping once you’ve “gotten the joke” is a useful tactic if you’re short on time & have accomplished your goal with reading.
You don’t need to pressure yourself into reading every page if you’ve already gotten value out of the material.
Go out and apply what you learned.
You don’t need to pressure yourself into reading every page if you’ve already gotten value out of the material.
Go out and apply what you learned.
5. The library is your friend.
Libraries make it easy for you to get a bunch of books and only read the ones you like--with 0 guilt about buying.
I only buy books I’ve already read and know are worth it.
Borrow 95% of what you read from the library (& donate $ when you can).
Libraries make it easy for you to get a bunch of books and only read the ones you like--with 0 guilt about buying.
I only buy books I’ve already read and know are worth it.
Borrow 95% of what you read from the library (& donate $ when you can).
Many libraries let you order books (or audiobooks) online. They’ll send you an alert when your books are ready to pick up.
It’s pretty amazing. You can regularly get a dozen books at a time.
It’s pretty amazing. You can regularly get a dozen books at a time.
6. You might be smarter than the author.
The bar for publishing is lower than it once was, so use your best judgment.
Lots of business books can be summed up in a 10-page blog post.
Respect the author, but there’s no need to deify them.
Your own ideas may be just as valid.
The bar for publishing is lower than it once was, so use your best judgment.
Lots of business books can be summed up in a 10-page blog post.
Respect the author, but there’s no need to deify them.
Your own ideas may be just as valid.
7. Reread good books.
You’ll experience them differently each time.
Why? The book stays the same, but you keep changing.
I’ve read my favorite sales books multiple times over the years.
It's the same principles, but I’m able to see them with more nuance each time.
You’ll experience them differently each time.
Why? The book stays the same, but you keep changing.
I’ve read my favorite sales books multiple times over the years.
It's the same principles, but I’m able to see them with more nuance each time.
8. Read actively, not passively.
Passive reading is flipping pages w/o thinking about what you’re consuming.
Active reading is:
Connecting new and existing ideas
Practicing skepticism
Identifying how advice applies to your situation
Don't go through the motions.
Passive reading is flipping pages w/o thinking about what you’re consuming.
Active reading is:
Connecting new and existing ideas Practicing skepticism Identifying how advice applies to your situationDon't go through the motions.
9. Write notes in the margins.
This is the best way to do active reading. Engage with the material by writing notes and annotating the content.
I circle sentences, make quick notes, jot questions.
Mark up your book--it’s a tool to inspire your thinking.
This is the best way to do active reading. Engage with the material by writing notes and annotating the content.
I circle sentences, make quick notes, jot questions.
Mark up your book--it’s a tool to inspire your thinking.
Books are mentors.
They’re more patient and accessible than humans too.
I hope these approaches help you get a book’s full benefit, stop feeling guilty about being a slow reader, and savor the process more.
They’re more patient and accessible than humans too.
I hope these approaches help you get a book’s full benefit, stop feeling guilty about being a slow reader, and savor the process more.
That's it for today.
Follow me @wes_kao for more writing on startups, education, and marketing.
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Follow me @wes_kao for more writing on startups, education, and marketing.
I'll write a practical deep-dive on this in my newsletter. Subscribe so you don’t miss it. https://www.weskao.com/
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