Be Careful Not to Push

How do I know I’m getting the most out of what I’m reading? Making the best use of my time? How do I walk the fine line between spending the page-turning time for pure entertainment and enjoyment purposes and spending it to move my business or my life forward in some way?

It’s a tricky question. How I answer it? By not pushing.

In my experience, the key to getting the most out of any book is directly related to your engagement at that time with its specific topic.

Here’s what I mean: say you’ve done nothing lately but dream of leaving your dead-end job. If you pick up Escape From Cubicle Nation, you’re probably going to lick up every, single detail that Pam Slim writes in that book. It might spark you to more specifically dream of quitting, it might give you confidence and inspiration; you might take notes, and you might even take action. The subject of the book is interesting and applicable to you right now. And you know what? If it’s applicable and interesting, it’s also entertaining. You’ve walked the fine line.

Further, you could also be a lover of Jodi Picoult novels, but if you’re inspired and passionate about your future self-employment, Ms. Picoult’s words might not keep your interest right now and sitting down with one of her books probably wouldn’t be the best use of your time. At least not today.

(There’s a critical time element here, you see?)

It’s Realistic, Not Logical

So. Back to pushing. Don’t force yourself on to a book because you logically think it’s what you should be reading right now. It’s like sales – if you push a product on someone, they might bite, but they’re not going to last long. Simmer for a minute and be honest with where you are.

I’ve had books sit on my shelf for months – even years – until one day, because of whatever circumstances were happening at the time, it finally catches my eye and I turn page after page ferociously. A recent example of this? I’ve had friends recommend Born to Run for months, but until I had a blast in June completing a 10k race I didn’t have any interest. Shortly after? I not only read Born to Run but Ultramarathon Man and 50/50, too. I was engaged with the topic and learned a ton. Reading those books was a fantastic use of my time, both entertainment- and education-wise. On the flip side, I’ve tried to read 7 Habits of Highly Effective People a half-dozen times over the past few years. Can’t get into it. Logically, I want to consume it so badly, but for some reason it just isn’t a topic that’s engaging my brain cells right now (what a contradiction, eh?). Anyway, I’m not going to push it. Some day it will pop off that shelf and transform my business and my life. But not today. Today it’s not worth my time.

People ask me often how I find so much time to read. Quick answer, I prioritize it. Taking the answer further, I prioritize it because I make darn sure that what I am reading is doing some kind of good. If I need to relax, a fluffy novel from Jane Green or John Grisham. If I’m bored, a generally-interesting read like Freakonomics or 1 Dead in Attic or Dewey. If I’m motivated, Delivering Happiness or The Last Lecture or The Traveler’s Gift to keep the motivation going. If I’m business focused, maybe Social Media 101. Whatever. You get the point. If I need to relax, Social Media 101 is not going to cut it. If I’m itching to push my business forward, Grisham probably isn’t the best use of my waking hours.

Use Your Time Wisely

Entertainment or education or both; determine what’s engaging you at the moment. Be honest, and get the most out of your reading time.

And now I want to know what you think. Agree? Disagree? Comment!

reads Podcast – Episode 002
(Clicking the link above will automatically launch and play the episode.)

Shout-out to a commenter from last week, the lovely Ms Cheryl Sweeney, who has finally convinced me to stop my 7+ year procrastination of what appears to be an awesome book.

Stay tuned next week for 4th of July shenanigans and one of the worst personal development books I have ever read.

Question of the Day! –> “Do you read physical paper books, digital books, or a combination of the two?”

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Episode 002
Sponsored by…little ‘ole me

Recommended reads:
The Slight Edge: Secret to a Successful Life, by Jeff Olson

Just Picked-Up reads:
The Westing Game, by Ellen Raskin

For Fun reads:
1 Dead in Attic: After Katrina, by Chris Rose

Current reads:
Sway: The Irresistible Pull of Irrational Behavior, by Ori & Rom Brafman

Also mentioned…
What Should I Do With My Life?, by Po Bronson

reads Podcast – Episode 001
(Clicking the link above will automatically launch and play the episode.)

I am dying to hear your thoughts! Love it? Hate it? Get anything out of it?

And don’t forget to answer the Question of the Day: “What’re you currently reading?” I’ll feature several of the best answers in next week’s episode.

This is so fun!

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Episode 001
Sponsored by…me

Current reads:
Six Pixels of Separation: Everyone is Connected, Connect Your Business to Everyone, by Mitch Joel

I was honored to submit the review for their audience to watch. Go check it out! And while you’re there, say hello to Grant and Alan and stick around for a little bit. You won’t regret it.

Also, if you’ve recently landed here, on AnnieSorensen.com, from Grant and Alan’s site, welcome! Thanks for visiting. Please, take a look around, and feel free to leave a comment and let me know what I can do to help you to live your very best life, every day.

Finally, guest posts; let’s chat about those for a second. I LOVE submitting to the blogs of those who have a similar mission, are dedicated to providing great content to the world, and care about building professional, fun, and purposeful relationships. What do they always say, you only become a success yourself once you’ve helped many others find success first? I often don’t know where the posts will be, or what new folks I’ll meet, but several of my goals consistently surround giving and submitting content to the sites of others. I think it’s that important.

So, what do you think of guest posts? Do them often? Worry about giving away too much? Do you enjoy giving away content for free, the “go-giver” mentality?

I read because of the concepts I learn, the characters I meet, and the ideas I generate. I read for entertainment. I read because of the content I’m then able to teach to others. And I read all sorts of things – fluffy non-fiction, novels, business non-fiction, motivational parables, nutrition books, financial books, biographies, and on and on and on. If I pick the wrong book for rightnow, I will have to force myself through it. I won’t learn as much, I won’t remember as much, and it surely won’t be as enjoyable.

After all, how can I move my business forward if I’m not taking the best advantage of my time reading new things? If I’m not really learning? The answer: I can’t.

And I’m not one who likes wasting time.

There is a time for each book and I have to accept the fact that sometimes I simply don’t feel like reading about a frustrated business man climbing a mountain but am totally feeling a fluffy autobiography about a wonderfully goofy, depressed, mommy-blogger. You can’t fight it.

It’s kind of like what I’ve heard my Dad say for ages about his golf swing. In the moments before you take your swing you run every, single tip and reminder and new instruction through your head about how to attack the ball, all of the logical stuff. And then you promptly flush it all out of your mind, think NO thoughts, take a deep breath, and swing away.

Review all of your considerations, think logically. But in the end you just have to go with what comes naturally.

Because if you don’t? It won’t work. You’ll fumble, things won’t go smoothly, and you will most definitely not get the result for which you’d hoped.

Sometimes I know which book is next before I even walk up to the bookshelf. Other times I stand and stare and mull it over for a few moments until the answer pops out. Once in a while I have to pick out four or five and consider them separately. But every time I consider all sorts of things…am I going to hear an author speak in the near future and want to make sure I’ve read their work…did I recently read the first book in a series and want to immediately follow-up with the second…am I tired today and want to read something light and entertaining…which book has been sitting on the shelf the longest…am I working on a project a specific book might help complete…

…you get the point. It’s a quick process but a surprisingly important one that can affect your business more than you think.

And you know what? This process could relate to practically any decision.

Interesting…

So, what say you? Do you think your reading choices (whether they’re books, magazines, websites, blogs, etc) impact your business?

Disclosure: Links are Amazon affiliates.

So, to narrow things down a bit and considering that the holiday season is upon us, here are my:

5 Book Recommendations for Curious, Open-Minded, Personal Development Newbies

1. The Slight Edge
It’s simple and profound – which, isn’t that what we want with ANY book? – and easily applies to any area of business or life. A great book for beginners.

2. The Go-Giver
Before, being a Go-Getter was a celebrated personality trait. Not anymore. An eye-opening and educational read.

3. How to Win Friends and Influence People
A classic read. Sales is everything and everything is sales, and the key to selling? Whether it’s a specific product or just yourself? People that know, like, and trust you. Have a grasp on how to develop those three things and success is yours.

4. Outliers
Complete honesty – this one’s still on my To Read shelf. However, I’ve learned enough about it to know that anyone with a curiosity about the psychology of success would enjoy it. A necessary and fascinating read into what affects – and what does NOT affect – your chances of success.

5. Trust Agents
Yes, we live in a digitally connected world, but the concepts in this book can truly apply to being an agent of trust online or off. Not only is it one of the few books I’ve read this year that keeps me thinking months after turning the final page, but the more I think about it the more I’m fascinated by it’s application to newbie entrepreneurs and experienced veterans alike.

Disclosure: All links are Amazon affiliates.

So, what do you think? What books would you recommend to a budding entrepreneur? What would you recommend to an experienced business expert? Is the list the same? Do you plan to give any books as gifts this year?

You can find Inbound Marketing here.

What Twitter Wins have you experienced? Share.

Ok, I’ve shared. Now it’s your turn. If you regularly read books, what’s on YOUR to-read list? What are you reading right now? What are you excited about? If you don’t regularly read books, what other media do you use to learn and catch up with the world?

Trust Agents: Using the Web to Build Influence, Improve Reputation, and Earn Trust, by Chris Brogan and Julien Smith
- The title says it all. I mean, who ISN’T using the web to positively influence their business? I’m not sure what else you’d do with it, really. Anyway, I also heard mention of this title enough this week amongst some of the amazing business folks I follow on Twitter that, well, if it has fans like that, little ‘ole me better not skip it over.

Failing Forward: Turning Mistakes into Stepping Stones for Success, by John C Maxwell
- I don’t how I missed this one when it was released 2 years ago, but I have a strong opinion that millions are afraid of venturing into business for themselves because they’re afraid of failing. If they only knew how successful a great failure could be! I’ve had my fair share of failures-turned-learning-experiences, but I’m sure failing properly is always something that can be improved upon.

Food Inc.: A Participant Guide: How Industrial Food is Making Us Sicker, Fatter, and Poorer-And What You Can Do About It, by Karl Weber
- On a different topic, I know this movie and its corresponding book will be a classic situation of I-wish-I-didn’t-know-this. However, I can’t not see it. To be completely honest, I’ve gotten a little – just a smidge, promise! – lax lately about my choice in groceries and I need to be shocked back to making the trek to Whole Foods more regularily.

What have you added to your must-read list lately?