MJ DeMarco
I followed the science; all I found was money.
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EPIC CONTRIBUTOR
LEGACY MEMBER
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Read Unscripted!
A reader emailed me last week and asked the following question:
I've read all three of your books and I can't thank you enough, you've changed my life. [Redacted] What other books do you recommend to help me get started on my Fastlane?
While I appreciate the compliment, there are two mental roadblocks to unpack here, roadblocks that will prevent this user from actually experiencing the "life change" he claimed. T
The first roadblock is a fundamental truth: I didn't change this reader's life; I only changed his thinking.
And until that thinking manifests itself into repeated action over the weeks, months, and years, "you've changed my life" will wither into an empty platitude of unfilled aspirations. A book is only as good as your ability to implement it into action. While changing your headspace is a great start, ultimately, those thoughts must materialize in the REAL WORLD. A great quote from the Lao Tze comes to mind:
Watch your thoughts; they become words.
Watch your words; they become actions.
Watch your actions; they become habits.
Watch your habits; they become character.
Watch your character; it becomes your destiny.
In other words, changing your thoughts ignites the process and is step #1. That life change that this reader expressed? That's steps 2, 3, 4, and 5— arguably, the hardest part of the process. And because this reader viewed my books as something much more, his expectations will be malformed. The result likely will be a failure, not success.
The second roadblock is multi-faceted.
If this reader comprehended my books, he wouldn't ask me what books to read next. Reading another book is not the next step—action is. As I like to say, at some point you have to stop reading about swimming and just jump in the pool.
This brings me to the best book I've ever read. The best book I've ever read changes every month. Why? Because I don't read books for the sake of reading books; I read books to solve the problems that stand in front of me. I read books to resolve an issue I'm having, to solve a challenge I'm encountering, or to refine a weakness in my process.
In other words, when you take action (the answer to the first roadblock for my reader) the next book you need to read will become clear.
• Having trouble making good decisions? Read a book about decision-making.
• Accumulating piles of cash? Read a book about investing.
• Having difficulty converting users into paying customers? Read a book about conversion.
• Having trouble attracting users? Read a marketing book.
• Having trouble getting keeping customers happy? Read a book about customer service.
• Having trouble losing weight? Read a book about changing your diet.
• Having trouble with social media addiction? (Our last issue!) Read a book about breaking the spell.
Action, and the challenges yet to arrive, is the only thing that can help you determine the next best book to read.
If "action" was driving a car down the highway, a flat tire would be a problem. What is the best book to read when faced with this issue? How to Fix a Flat Tire? Or, How to Wax and Detail Your Dream Car?
The challenge defines the book.
Despite its popularity, I've never read The Subtle Art of Not Giving a F*ck. Why? Because I already don't give a f*ck.
ACTIONABLE
Stop reading books for the sake of reading books. Instead, create a folder on your computer (or any storage device) that can archive any content that you find interesting and "must read," but isn't relevant to your current situation. My web browser has a bookmarked folder called "Solutions," where I store any interesting content that might solve my future problems.
For example, the last item I stored was an hour-long video entitled "How to get millions in free media coverage." Instead of wasting an hour watching this, I saved it for later. When I'm in a mode of massive marketing outreach and need "millions in free media coverage," I will then (and only then) will consume the content.
Information overload isn't an efficient use of time.
Act. Identify issue. Read
I've read all three of your books and I can't thank you enough, you've changed my life. [Redacted] What other books do you recommend to help me get started on my Fastlane?
While I appreciate the compliment, there are two mental roadblocks to unpack here, roadblocks that will prevent this user from actually experiencing the "life change" he claimed. T
The first roadblock is a fundamental truth: I didn't change this reader's life; I only changed his thinking.
And until that thinking manifests itself into repeated action over the weeks, months, and years, "you've changed my life" will wither into an empty platitude of unfilled aspirations. A book is only as good as your ability to implement it into action. While changing your headspace is a great start, ultimately, those thoughts must materialize in the REAL WORLD. A great quote from the Lao Tze comes to mind:
Watch your thoughts; they become words.
Watch your words; they become actions.
Watch your actions; they become habits.
Watch your habits; they become character.
Watch your character; it becomes your destiny.
In other words, changing your thoughts ignites the process and is step #1. That life change that this reader expressed? That's steps 2, 3, 4, and 5— arguably, the hardest part of the process. And because this reader viewed my books as something much more, his expectations will be malformed. The result likely will be a failure, not success.
The second roadblock is multi-faceted.
If this reader comprehended my books, he wouldn't ask me what books to read next. Reading another book is not the next step—action is. As I like to say, at some point you have to stop reading about swimming and just jump in the pool.
This brings me to the best book I've ever read. The best book I've ever read changes every month. Why? Because I don't read books for the sake of reading books; I read books to solve the problems that stand in front of me. I read books to resolve an issue I'm having, to solve a challenge I'm encountering, or to refine a weakness in my process.
In other words, when you take action (the answer to the first roadblock for my reader) the next book you need to read will become clear.
• Having trouble making good decisions? Read a book about decision-making.
• Accumulating piles of cash? Read a book about investing.
• Having difficulty converting users into paying customers? Read a book about conversion.
• Having trouble attracting users? Read a marketing book.
• Having trouble getting keeping customers happy? Read a book about customer service.
• Having trouble losing weight? Read a book about changing your diet.
• Having trouble with social media addiction? (Our last issue!) Read a book about breaking the spell.
Action, and the challenges yet to arrive, is the only thing that can help you determine the next best book to read.
If "action" was driving a car down the highway, a flat tire would be a problem. What is the best book to read when faced with this issue? How to Fix a Flat Tire? Or, How to Wax and Detail Your Dream Car?
The challenge defines the book.
Despite its popularity, I've never read The Subtle Art of Not Giving a F*ck. Why? Because I already don't give a f*ck.
ACTIONABLE
Stop reading books for the sake of reading books. Instead, create a folder on your computer (or any storage device) that can archive any content that you find interesting and "must read," but isn't relevant to your current situation. My web browser has a bookmarked folder called "Solutions," where I store any interesting content that might solve my future problems.
For example, the last item I stored was an hour-long video entitled "How to get millions in free media coverage." Instead of wasting an hour watching this, I saved it for later. When I'm in a mode of massive marketing outreach and need "millions in free media coverage," I will then (and only then) will consume the content.
Information overload isn't an efficient use of time.
Act. Identify issue. Read
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