How to Prepare yourself for Reading

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NEW LINK: How to Prepare yourself for Reading

Comments

[Eric Sohn]

One suggestion: replace the books with a book summary service. AudioTech does them on CDs, Soundview on paper, and getAbstract.com is PDFs. Much more respectful of your time, and cheaper to boot.

The fact is, if you're reading for content, books are woefully inefficient. A 300-page tome is 10 pages of content, if that much, and 290 pages of illustrations, justifications, explication and case studies.

You either drink the Kool-Aid or you don't - and you don't have the luxury of extra time.

Think of it this way - a book summary takes 5 minutes to read (a 4-pager from getAbstract). How long does it take to read the book? Conversely, in the time you read one book, how many summaries could you read?

[Susanne Nyrop]

Dear Rosa,

your reading habits seem to be well developed, and I appreciate your time pocket approach. Sometimes I think my problem is the opposite of those who declare that they never read; because I'm reading all the time! Anytime I can find some written text, I start reading it and sometimes I don't get things done just because I dive into the reading habit, perhaps now and then turning over into a reading obsession. And, the internet is a wonderful feeder for this.

Eric, I don't really agree with the fast food approach of reading those ten page summaries. I think that a lot of what an author's efforts to make sense and tell the story are not coming through such short resumes; however for those who are always too busy to find those time pockets for in depth reading, this may be useful. And, after all, I enjoy reading shorter texts like articles and essays. And, though I've not yet even read Rosa's MWA book, there are so many links and pointers that I feel like I keep getting here, anytime i google; either this is another proof of memes, or Goodle is giving me an extra push, knowing my personal preference profile.

[K. Todd Storch]

Excellent post Rosa.

I have a file folder that I keep in my briefcase that I put articles or print outs from websites that I can read at a later time. There are plenty of times when I am early to an appointment, sitting in traffic, waiting somewhere...where I can pull out the folder and consume!

Thanks for the post mention and keep on learning!

Todd

[Rosa]

Aloha Eric, Susanne and Todd, thank you all for your comments!

Eric, as you can imagine I have mixed feelings about your suggestion! As an author I want people to read my book, and I tried hard to make sure there wasn't anything superfluous in it - over a year of edits just because the time the book sits inbetween each one makes you more objective and increases the quality of your writing.

However as a coach who wants people to read for so many different reasons, I do like your suggestions for those who now may consider reading a real chore - I don't want books to intimidate them away from starting, or close their minds to thinking about new habits. I've also been able to sway a few would-be converts by getting them hooked on audio-books, for they are not visual people by nature.

Personally, as an admitted zealous reader, books satisfy me on a number of different levels. (If anyone reading this is nodding their head, bookmark my February index here on Talking Story for your leisure-time reading: our Ho'ohana that entire month was called "A Love Affair with Books.")

And Eric I do realize you were generously offering us added suggestions, so thank you for getting this discussion going! I also know you are a voracious reader: I have a hard time keeping up with you and all the pointers you give us on your own blog.

Susanne, follow those Google pointers! I'll give you an extra nudge here: for you and anyone else who hasn't read MWA yet, here's a link for a pdf reprint of the Prologue and Introduction:
http://www.sayleadershipcoaching.com/say/mwaloha/intro.pdf

As usual Todd, when you visit Talking Story you always encourage us, or have a great suggestion to add, mahalo nui.

More tips out there Ho'ohana Community?
Rosa

[Susanne Nyrop]

Dear Rosa,

just wanted to let you know that I've just ordered TWO copies of your MWA book, one for myself - and one as a thank you present for my Born Global mentor - he's a Covey Denmark man that I'm hoping to impress when I start talking management Hawaii :-)

I'm going to read the prologue that you generously shared with me, as books sent from Amazon may take a week or two before getting here. I'll let you know as soon as I hold the much desired treasure in my hands :-)

[Rosa]

Thank you Susanne! Mahalo nui loa as you will discover ... I am very grateful.

Another note for everyone,
When I asked for more tips, Dwayne left one on another post: in the event it drops down and out of sight in the left column I want to add a link here for you within this conversation:
http://www.sayleadershipcoaching.com/talkingstory/2005/06/gtd_7_habits_mw.html#c6229217
Rosa

[Stephan F]

Eric, have you ever written a major work?
I just finished my first book and I worked really hard to fit in all the information I needed to get into each page.

Sure there are plenty of books that adhere to Sturgeon's Law, but I tend not to finish them, and am rather picky about the ones I do pick up.

I got the reading bug bad. One of the best things I did was to learn how to read faster, not speed reading where you just scan words and phrases but to read it all at high speed. It is a talent that has stood me in good stead. In my university Learning how to learn class we were all tested for our reading speed, I blew away the chart at 2000wpm. I have piles of books all over the place, probably time to get another bookcase really:)

To fill my learning desires I have added audio books to my iPod. That allows me to fill up drive time with valuable learning instead of the mindless drivel from the radio. I also got some noise-canceling headphones so I could listen while I mow the lawn. I carry a little Hipster PDA now to write down all the ideas I get while listening.

[Rosa]

Aloha Stephan, welcome to the Ho'ohana Community. Mahalo for adding your thoughts and sharing your own best practices with us.

The iPod arrived at our place with my son's April birthday, and I've been amazed with what he can store on there: Zach had bought one of those radio adapter gizmos, and its been great for those longer rides we are taking now in the rental car while here in Arizona.

If the iPod were mine it would definitely have audio books on there too. Rosa

[Ken Partain]

Hi Rosa,

Thanks for all the tips on reading. My mentor taught me years ago that leaders are readers, but not all readers are leaders. I too read all that I can about business and success and I appreciate your blog.

Ken

[Rosa]

Aloha Ken,

I just came back from a visit at your blog, and I love your very positive and uplifting encouragement there.

Mahalo nui for sharing your aloha with us here on Talking Story, and welcome to our Ho'ohana Community!
Rosa