2X Founder & Chief Decision Scientist | TEDx Speaker | Contributor to MIT SMR & Forbes | B-School Adjunct Prof. | C-Suite Advisor
There are #books I start with great enthusiasm, but have difficulty finishing ??. I used to feel very guilty leaving them midway ?? Here are 3 tips that liberated me. These pearls of wisdom might benefit you as well: 1. Books needn't be read cover to cover. Don't place any value in finishing books. (Hat tip: Naval Ravikant) 2. Treat book chapters like blogs and you'll be comfortable skipping portions you don't find interesting. (Hat tip: Chris Dixon) 3. Read books in parallel, and it's a good idea to mix and match genres. I started following #1 & #2 recently, and I can already see how it's helping me get more from reading. I usually read 2 to 3 books in parallel, one each on data, self-help and history/historical fiction. Often, these are across formats - Kindle, Libby (audio books) and physical books. This helps me pick up whatever I feel like reading, at the moment. What's your #reading style? Any quirks you can share?
Loved #1 I have always felt guilty for missing a few pages in the beginning of the book to jump to the chapters directly (makes it worse if we start enjoying the book mid-way) I have also realised that having a pen and paper to take down a few take aways helps us to slow down the mind and interpret the content without just skimming the book
Great tips! Its interesting to hear your experience. Infact i have also left several not complete. This led to question, are you choosing the right ones. But its a question for me if you chose them or they chose you. many a book is bought with intuition that it might be interesting or benefit you. sometimes i have found it comes true.in another set of cases i see many books on the subject and not able to choose. there is a data solution needed :-) i am just thinking if gpt3 can help me summarize i can do a better search at least. i am trying to follow speed reading, but struggling to read without looking back to previous paragraphs! Infact atleast noting down helps to kind of feeling of milestone complete.
I have this habit of reading atleast three perspectives of a singular ideology at a time. It maybe an outcome of academic research methodology and moreover people also find this practise odd. But comparing a fiction , a non-fiction and a documentary archive gives you a detailed multidisciplinary knowledge about the topic you are exploring. Additionally it would be interesting if the authors are from diverse backgrounds. :)
I found Naval Ravikant's suggestion extremely useful. Another rule I use is from the 'JIT' Ideology. Meaning, some books are meant as only Just in Time reading and not Just in Case reading. It took overcoming the FOMO battle, but the results are definitely worth it!
Thanks for the advice. I personally thought reading 2-3 books at a time will lead to confusion and attention to none but I liked the idea of reading different genres. Will give it a try!
even i am facing same problem. my whole focus used to be in finishing. thanks for the approach!!
Ganes Kesari Interesting ideas. I have followed a practice of re-reading titles I loved again after few years ....have always been able to get a better and deeper perspective...this is especially true for self development, strategy and philosophy.......
Thanks, tips 1 and 2 were much needed. I recently started making notes for the books I read. It helps when you revisit an idea after a few months.
Senior Data Scientist @Kaleidofin | Ex Equifax | Credit Risk | PCAP Certified Associate for Python Programming |
4 年Helpful! I started reading books recently and finding it interesting and refreshing. Self-help is the genre I find myself interested in.