As a busy business own or senior level executive, it’s often difficult to find the time to read. However, when you read, you want to get the most out of the little time you have. With the little time that you do have you also want to make sure you’re reading the right books. You may think your best bet is to read books that everyone is reading. After all, they must be good if everyone is reading them. But slow down, there are 5 common reading mistakes you don’t realize you’re making.
Common Reading Mistake Number 1: Start Reading a Book from Page 1
The first common reading mistake you don’t realize you’re making is to jump into the book and start reading from page one. I know that you’re excited and want to get going. However, I’d like you to slow down for several reasons. Here are the things that you should do instead to get the most from your reading time.
- Before you read any book write down your one-sentence purpose for reading it.
- Do 10 jumping jacks and marching band to get both sides of the brain working.
- Second, not all books are created equally, so you don’t have to read the average non-fiction book from cover-to-cover.
- Read the About the Author and Book Description. You want to learn if the author is qualified to write the book. And you want to get a sense of what the book is about.
- It’s worth your while to inspect the book first, so you know what chapters and sections to focus on. Inspecting a book means:
- Reading the Preface, Foreword and Introduction.
- Reviewing the Table of Contents, placing a check mark besides the chapters and sections that need deeper exploration.
- Reviewing the Index. This will tell you what's most important to the author based on the number of references made to a term.
When you’ve done the following you’ll know what the book is about. At this point, it’s decision time. Perhaps doing all of the above is all you need. You can digest the average nonfiction book in 30 to 60 minutes. And by the way, while taking a reading course, I learned that only four to 11 percent of the text on a page is important. So tell me, why would you simply want to read a book from the first page?
Common Reading Mistake Number 2: Reading Only Bestsellers
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Now it’s time to take a look at the second common reading mistake you’re making. You read only bestselling books. I’ve said this a thousand times, and I’ll say it again. Because a book is a bestseller, doesn't mean it’s any good. It could be. But it could also be that it reached bestseller status because the publisher had a great promotion engine behind the book.
Have you ever noticed that when a big name author is releasing a new book, you get many emails from people whose list you’re on? They’re offering all kinds of goodies if you buy the book. These people have big email lists and they’ll get a commission based on the number of people who buy the book. There are several people who act with integrity because they genuinely believe the book is good. But not everyone is like that. Many books that don’t deserve to be on the bestseller list get on it through this strategy.
So before you buy a bestselling book, gather some intelligence first. While in the bookstore or in the library, use the strategies I outlined above to inspect the book first.
Here are the things you should do instead. Make a list of the topics that you’d like to learn more about. And questions that you have. Think about the skills you need to get to become more marketable. Read books that will cover these topics. And for good measure, read a few books off the beaten path. That will take you out of your comfort zone. You’ll also notice that you’ll start to be more creative.
Have you read?
How I Came to Teach Professionals How to Read Selectively to Accelerate Their Business
5 Things You Never Knew about Reading Books
William S Burroughs Book Recommendations – Books off the Beaten Path
Get the Most from Reading Across Disciplines to Dominate Your Field
Impact of Reading Across Disciplines and Reading for Solutions
A Few Books Off the Beaten Path
Witch-Doctor’s Apprentice: Hunting for Medicinal Plants in the Amazon, Nicole Maxwell. I loved this book and it helped me to successfully complete a project. I had to interview someone in Bolivia to write a success story for a client. Based on the information in the book, I learned about some cultural norms that taught me how to approach the interview..
As Man Becomes Machine: The Evolution of the Cyborg, David Rorvik. I haven’t read this book, but based on technological advancement, I think it’s worth reading.
The Natural Way to Draw: A Working Plan for Art Study, Kimon Nicolaides. Haven’t read this one, but I’m interested in learning how to draw.
The Magus, John Fowles. I started this book about four times. I’ll try a fifth time. This book is on so many lists of recommended books. The sections I read, I found the story bizarre. Perhaps bizarre is what we need now.
In His Image: The Cloning of a Man, David Rorvik. This book sounds like it has potential, so I want to give it a read. There’s talk about transhumanism – people are interested in extending their life. This will add to the conversation.
You Can’t Win, Jack Black: This is an autobiography of a reformed burglar. Haven’t read this yet, but what do you think he has to say? Will we find lessons that we can apply today?
The House and the Brain, A Truly Terrifying Tale: Paranormal Parlor, by Sir Edward Bulwer-Lytton. I’m waiting for the right moment to read this book because it’s supposed to be very scary. Took a peek at the cover last night.
Common Reading Mistake Number 3: Reading Only Business Books
The third common reading mistake that I would like to write about is reading only business books. Close to 15 years ago, when I was interviewing people to write my first book, Tales of People Who Get It, I discovered that the most successful people don't read many business books. They told me that business books seldom make you think.
If you review the reading list of the most accomplished people, business books are often absent from those lists. I’m not saying that you shouldn’t read business books. What I’m saying is to diversify your reading list. That’s what you’re to do instead.
Common Reading Mistake Number 4: Only Reading Books That Celebrities Recommend
Now it’s time to write about celebrity book recommendations. These people are famous, have an engaged audience, so they must know what they’re talking about — right? I recommend that professionals read for entertainment, information, and to further their knowledge on a topic. Additionally, I also recommend that you read across multiple disciplines and industries. Why? You need a broad view and perspective of the world. And that’s impossible if you’re reading one type of book.
I love that celebrities recommend books. Because that means more people are reading. And reading more books is a good thing. But keep things in perspective though. It’s hardly likely that you can use the information in many books that celebrities mention to solve the big problems in your life and in the world. You may be able to, but unlikely. It’s all about balance and perspective. You need to go deep and broad with the kinds of books you read.
And make sure you have a compelling reason for reading every book you’re interested in reading.
Common Reading Mistake Number 5: You Don't Apply the Awesome ideas from the Great Books You Read
Now we come to the final common reading mistake that I’d like to write about today. And it’s something that’s dear to my heart. You invest the time to read a great book. And then you do nothing with the information. It’s like cooking a fantastic four course meal and not eating it. To get the most from the book you read, you need to find ways to apply the new information.
I’m writing a book, called Profit Reading. The concept is simple. The thesis is that if you read the right books, apply the ideas, you can profit from your reading time. I've been interviewing people. And I'm getting some fascinating information.
How many of those five common reading mistakes are you making?
How Avil Can Help You!
I've created leadership development programs that teach you how to read selectively. And the books I've chosen for you to read are not the typical books. Join the Business Knowledge Accelerator Program today!
