???How I read 20 books this quarter (Q1 2020) | Tips for fun and efficient reading??

I never was such a reader. During my time as a student, I did buy Tony Robbins’ books, Malcolm Gladwell’s books and HBR’s Handbook for Managers but didn’t really have the attention to fully catch the messages. 

Then while transitioning to full time working, someone sent me the PDF version of How to Win Friends and Influence People when I was bored (??? clearly a time I wasn’t myself) and was looking for a filler. My experience: easy to read, rational, clear tips/messages and interesting perspectives. From there on, I was hooked on ‘self-help’ books. 

Over the years, I saw the benefit of reading such books for mindset and knowledge on topics like financial education. Also, the people that got into my network in the last couple of years had the habit of discussing books or at least mentioning lessons. That is when I knew I wasn’t alone in this obsession :-)

Late 2019, I was fed up with all those big heavy books to carry to work in my flat briefcase, so I bought an e-reader. Boy, I should’ve done so earlier. An e-reader saves so much annoyance of buying a book, waiting on it for 1-2 days, doesn’t need maintenance (if you want to resell a physical book like I like to do, you can’t get user traces on it blablabla) and isn’t heavy or uncomfortable to hold at all. 

In December 2019, I challenged myself to read 55 books in 2020. I started to get a hold of how to read fast and in a flow, making it easy to finish a book within a week, maybe two if busy. It surely sounded crazy back then, but I think I’m on a roll and think I’m able to reach it (Q1: 20 books) :-).

Hereby, I would like to share with you my tips for efficient and fun reading, while reaching your reading target. Of course, not everything is true for everyone, but at least I hope it gives you a spark of inspiration of how you can implement a reading habit yourself.

My 11 reading tips for fast and fun reading

#1 Not being a perfectionist.

Ha! I think I just lost loads of people right there. That’s why I put it as a first. I haven’t found much proof for why perfectionism is a good thing except for when launching products or improving design or copy. I don’t want to start a discussion, but the point I’m trying to make is: being an anti-perfectionist means I don’t mind reading over a paragraph, a quote, a case or stop reading the book if I don’t like it. Nobody said you have to read every word. Read the context by speeding up your tempo and you will surely get the message. And, you don’t have to remember all the information - I’d like to keep 3 large pointers as my target after finishing. Ideally you write these 3 points per book down, so you really internalize them.

#2 Read books that interest you, not because it’s a bestseller/recommendation.

Sure, read something out of your comfort zone or interest field, it’s always good to broaden the scope. But, don’t read things that others recommend just for the sake of it. Realize that some books that others recommend or are ‘top picks’ are not for you. Too feminine, too harsh, too cheesy, too obvious, too vague, weird format…

I couldn’t get through books like 12 Rules for Life (complex, philosophical), MegaTech (not my topic but I thought would be useful in my role back then), How To Get Things Done (I am a productive person so I want to improve but this book is way too obvious) or to name an outlier: Baby, You Got this (speaking to the insecurity of women that I don’t recognize, too feminine).

Of course, it’s a disappointment when you are excited to read something you heard lots of good things about, but you don’t enjoy reading it. Don’t panic. Send the book back or give it to a friend that would enjoy and find something else to read. You read faster when you enjoy the topic, flow of the book, the way it’s written, etc.

#3 Speed up your reading tempo to stop distraction.

That’s it. Read a bit too fast. Don’t get every word but jump over them. Or, read with your finger pointing to the word you’re reading. This way, you can’t let your thoughts distract you. When I listen to an audio book, I also listen at 2x the speed. Yes, really. 

#4 Try a different format: e-reader, audio books, book clubs

As mentioned, I started reading from an e-reader. They’re pretty inexpensive - starting from 100 euros. There are even websites with free PDFs to books. Just saying, count it out: it will save you loads of money.

Audio books are great for while on the road or doing chores and cost less energy. Caution: if you’re the type of person to float away full of thoughts while listening, then either keep a notebook so you can write down highlights or only do this when really focused.

Book clubs are not a substitute for reading yourself, but will give you the accountability needed to finish a book and understand the key messages. 

#5 Plan when you are going to read.

“I don’t get to reading”. Yep. But what do you do on weekday nights? There’s probably one night you can block for reading. Plan it in your agenda and find a quiet place with good lightning, candles, tea, etc. 

#6 Take notes for focus and usefulness of reading

If your goal of reading is, like mine, to learn something useful, then take notes. I don’t read for ‘relaxation’. It could also be enough to doodle a bit on paper or draw while listening to an audio book, to keep the focus.

#7 Open a Goodreads account for competitiveness and inspiration

Thanks Andreea for this tip! With Goodreads, you can track what you read, want to read and are reading. You can rate and review books and share that with your Goodreads friends. Write a short review on Goodreads so you can go back and remember. Last but not least, you can put up a year challenge - stating how many books you want to read this year and see the progress you’re making. It always gives me a feeling of competition with myself :-). And also, I get recommendation inspiration from friends that share what they’re reading and how they rate their books. 

#8 Read multiple books at the same time to keep it fresh

I usually have 3 books open at the same time. Doesn’t mean I read 1 chapter of one and then go to the next. It’s just that I can open whichever one I feel like that day. Also depending on where I read a book - vacation, the couch, the train, etc.

#9 Talk to someone about what you read.

This forces you to remember what you read (in highlights of course). Find a reading buddy that will keep you accountable or gives you reading recommendations. 

#10 Keep it fun!

I know I’m serious about reading, but don’t forget to enjoy. Pick a theme or 2 you’d like to focus on reading this year. Write down your reading goal - apart from a number of books you could also state something like ‘I’d like to finally get a grip on how the economy works by reading at least 5 books from different authors on this topic’.

# 11 Reward yourself

Buy yourself a book as a gift for an accomplishment. Why not buy a book for a new milestone in life? Or, buy books related to the phase you’re in - makes the reading relevant and will probably add value in your life experience.

Of course, I’d like to share my favorites of 2020 so far (in order):

#1 What to Say When You Talk to Yourself - Shad Helmstetter

Better read this. Change your self talk, change your life

#2 The Coaching Habit (Say Less, Ask More & Change the Way You Lead Forever) - Michael Bungay Stanier

Practical for people that coach, but basically for everyone that work with others. Loved the useful questions. Super easy going but so powerful. Don't forget to take notes. Useful in any conversation

#3 Feel the fear and do it anyway - Susan Jeffers

Super practical at first and then some deep spiritual lessons further down the line. Just do it, let nothing or no one (including yourself) hold you back!

#4 Outwitting the Devil (The Secret to Freedom and Success) - Napoleon Hill

Interesting read written around 1937(!) but still so relevant. On procrastination vs. going ahead and living big and the consequences. Touches upon many aspects of life, mentions visions that are way innovative for the 1930s. Listen to the YouTube audio book by just typing this in, is an older book so hard to get through with reading in my opinion

#5 The E-Myth Revisited: Why Most Small Businesses Don’t Work and What to Do About It- Michael Gerber

Loved the concepts and super useful info to build a great large and sustainable business without it depending on you, the owner. Yet I hated the form of the conversation with Sarah, almost a childish way of bringing info to the reader.

#6 Super Attractor (Methods for Manifesting a Life beyond Your Wildest Dreams) - Gabrielle Bernstein

The law of attraction in action. Gabrielle is easy to read and explains spiritual concepts in a very down-to-earth way so that you can implement them in your life. Wrote along while reading. So worthwhile to apply these practices.

#7 Big Magic (Creative Living Beyond Fear) - Elizabeth Gilbert

What a lovely light book on how to embrace creativity, never quit, don't listen to others, enjoy and use serendipity to the fullest and let coincidences or accidents be your drivers for success. PS I read this book within 24 hrs... Such a nice and easy read.

#8 Atomic Habits (An Easy & Proven Way to Build Good Habits & Break Bad Ones) - James Clear

Raised with a habit-driven dad, this guy is the guru of good habits. Read this to implement good ones in your life too, starting really small. Also, it teaches you how to get rid of bad habits, like smoking. PS I liked this book better than the Compound Effect, same theme.

#9 The 4-hour workweek - Tim Ferris

Bit long and too many user stories but the concept is great and eye opening, I think especially to people that work because they need work to pay for life. Take your life back by implementing these steps! Tim is really tactical. He will even show you how to communicate your new steps to your boss. Haha. Also very interesting for when you’re dreaming about traveling for a living. It is possible.

#10 Miracle Morning (The Not-So-Obvious Secret Guaranteed to Transform Your Life: Before 8AM) - Hal Elrod

Never read such a book before. Innovative concept of how to change your morning ritual to change your life. Your morning should be holy!

#11 The Alter Ego Effect: The Power of Secret Identities to Transform Your Life - Herman Todd

The concept is great - I will try to implement my alter ego more into my stage work to improve performance. Interesting to read how big stars including Beyonce use this in their work. However, I didn't feel like the book touched the core. Maybe it was his voice on audio books, bored me a bit...

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Follow My GoodReads account so you can see what I read and plan to read. Feel free to add me there, so we can motivate each other :-).

????Let me know what books you read this year or plan to read. Maybe there’s something new in there for me too!

More articles written by me: https://www.dhirubhai.net/pulse/self-development-landscape-2020-progress-downloadable-leerling

Happy reading!

-Rachelle