I spent the past 8 months finishing 42 books because I realized that there are so many known unknowns that can be solved by reading. As a result, I can tell you what seemed like a good use of my time and what wasn't.
Obvious Results
Less Obvious Results
Shallow understanding of other jobs
This might be the most valuable part of the process. Reading books like Sales EQ, the author talks about problems salespeople face, and gives an almost day-in-the-life if you stitch it together. While this isn't a substitute for talking to customers, it's a very good starting point if you have no network or experience in that job. While these may be solved problems, that doesn't mean they can't be solved significantly better. This is one advantage that they have over book summaries or videos. The "fluff" helps you develop a customer profile and understand their language.
When is reading action faking?
Will I keep reading?
Yes, but it will mostly be tactical stuff. For example, I'm working on a book for Ordinary Differential Equations. I want to build moats by making algorithms that most people can't.
Recommended Reads?
In no particular order.
Obvious Results
- I learned about basically every important job in the business I can expect to do and hire for.
- I learned how to strategically work myself out of the business so that I can either run it on autopilot or exit.
- I learned how to acquire customers.
- Some books are time wasters.
Less Obvious Results
- Learning the limitations of what certain books talk about. For example, in CENTS Time and Scale are occasionally a bad idea if doing high-end B2C or B2B. If you're curious, look into Oversubscribed. It's a great model for cases where the goal isn't exclusivity. I like thinking of it as a Domain and Range situation, the model is defined on a set say low-end B2C.
- Some books fundamentally altered my understanding of reality.
- Developing more self-respect.
- Expansion of what jobs I'd be willing to take.
- Expansion of what's considered possible. I would now say being a millionaire at 25 is realistic (not easy) for most people if they start at 18.
- Most advice on the internet is almost pretty bad outside of niche communities.
- I have a shallow understanding of jobs I've never had. I'll expand on this.
Shallow understanding of other jobs
This might be the most valuable part of the process. Reading books like Sales EQ, the author talks about problems salespeople face, and gives an almost day-in-the-life if you stitch it together. While this isn't a substitute for talking to customers, it's a very good starting point if you have no network or experience in that job. While these may be solved problems, that doesn't mean they can't be solved significantly better. This is one advantage that they have over book summaries or videos. The "fluff" helps you develop a customer profile and understand their language.
When is reading action faking?
- If you're reading and don't know why. (Why I'm posting after 42 books and not 52 books)
- If you're doing it solely for vanity.
- When you have figured out your known unknowns.
- When you use it as an excuse to avoid a more serious task.
Will I keep reading?
Yes, but it will mostly be tactical stuff. For example, I'm working on a book for Ordinary Differential Equations. I want to build moats by making algorithms that most people can't.
Recommended Reads?
In no particular order.
- The Millionaire Fastlane : Realize how urgent becoming wealthy actually is.
- The Personal MBA: A map of what you'll probably need to learn.
- The Laws of Human Nature: Regaining psychological balance is critical, especially given that some tactical books might make you jaded (Influence by Cialdini).
- Influence: Understanding how people make decisions is largely irrational.
- The Innovator's Dilemma: In case you want to understand how and why you can beat bigger businesses.
- Building A Story Brand 2.0: Better Messaging.
- Copywriting Secrets: To write decent sales copy or, at the very leas,t recognize is if you have AI generate it.
- Sales EQ: A comprehensive walkthrough of the sales process.
- 100M Leads: If you want to learn how to sell B2C stuff at scale. This teaches you about distribution.
- The Definitive Book of Body Language: If you want to understand non-verbal communication. Especially true if you're on the spectrum.
- Value Proposition Design: This is probably the best book for mapping out what customers might be interested in buying. 100M Offers is also useful for this.
- The Mom Test: For talking to customers and understanding needs.
- Oversubscribed: If you want an alternate view of looking at
- The E-Myth Revisited: Understanding the process to work yourself out of the job and why.
- Profit First: Solid finance principles for your business that also help you avoid the trap of doing too much.
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