STOP Reading More Books, and Start Reading BETTER

Summary

The goal isn’t to read more books or read every book the same way. It’s to read in ways that turn information into personal and professional change. This requires reading holistically—using three complementary types of reading—and adaptively, choosing techniques that suit each type.

Three Types of Reading

• Experiential reading — build the right mindset. Read for inspiration, hope, or a shift in perspective rather than to memorize information. Let the ideas resonate; light note-taking or highlighting is optional. Discussing insights with others can help you put them into practice and make them part of your outlook.
• Informational reading — develop critical thinking. Read broadly, including subjects that may not seem directly related to your goals. This can expose you to different viewpoints and build confidence grounded in knowledge. Reading-speed techniques can help; brief chapter summaries or a few notes are usually enough.
• Actionable reading — develop a specific skill. Start with a project or goal, identify the skill you need, and choose a book that addresses it. Read selectively for useful ideas, then make a plan to apply them. The presenter recommends scheduling a real-world practice opportunity soon after finding a useful tip.

Relying on only one type of reading is limiting:

• Motivation without knowledge and skills can become self-gratification.
• Knowledge without mindset or application can remain intellectual amusement.
• Action without knowledge or mindset can be misdirected.

Adaptive Reading Strategies

• Match your reading approach to the book’s purpose; there is no single best method for every book.
• For experiential books, prioritize reflection and discussion over speed or elaborate note-taking.
• For informational books, use speed techniques such as guiding your eyes with a finger and reducing subvocalization. Capture only the main points you need.
• For actionable books, combine selective reading and scanning with notes, scheduled review, and scheduled implementation.
• Keep a balanced reading list, but give yourself permission to pause one book and switch if your needs change.
• Focus on applying at least one or two useful ideas—not on reading quickly or perfectly.

Presenters and Sources

• Presenter: Stephen Petro
• Books and authors mentioned:
  • Secrets of the Millionaire Mind by T. Harv Eker
  • Cashflow Quadrant by Robert Kiyosaki
  • Think and Grow Rich by Napoleon Hill
  • The Five Dysfunctions of a Team by Patrick Lencioni
  • The Five Levels of Leadership by John Maxwell
  • Captivate by Vanessa Van Edwards
  • The Art of People by Dave Kerpen
  • Psycho-Cybernetics by Maxwell Maltz
  • Never Split the Difference by Chris Voss
• Other topics referenced: Decision theory and Bayes’ theorem