Do we really need to a million books just to be wealthy?

[djcoax]

I've read hundreds of business books - listened to podcasts - watched video courses .. you name it.
I read them because they looked interesting or because they were at the top of some "best of" list.

The problem with that is that you don't really absorb all that information - there's only so much brainspace.

I've come to believe that the right way to do things is "ad hoc learning".

For example - right now I've started a new business and I need to find ways to raise awareness for my brand in these times where I'm not allowed to physically meet with others due to COVID-19 restrictions.
So I'm going deep on the subject of inbound marketing, growth hacking etc.

It's the combination of the learning with the actual doing and applying of the concepts in these books that is powerful.

You can learn about investing in the stock market for example , but you REALLY learn if you put up your own money and see what happens to it (down the drain like in my case lol)

 

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[Lyinx]

I've read hundreds of business books - listened to podcasts - watched video courses .. you name it.
I read them because they looked interesting or because they were at the top of some "best of" list.

The problem with that is that you don't really absorb all that information - there's only so much brainspace.

I've come to believe that the right way to do things is "ad hoc learning".

For example - right now I've started a new business and I need to find ways to raise awareness for my brand in these times where I'm not allowed to physically meet with others due to COVID-19 restrictions.
So I'm going deep on the subject of inbound marketing, growth hacking etc.

It's the combination of the learning with the actual doing and applying of the concepts in these books that is powerful.

You can learn about investing in the stock market for example , but you REALLY learn if you put up your own money and see what happens to it (down the drain like in my case lol)

10% learning (reading books/videos/manuals) and 90% execution.

the man who doesn't sharpen his ax will spend all day hacking.

 

[Lyinx]

for those who are looking:
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/1563056267/?tag=tff-amazonparser-20
I gave a certain woman this book one day, so far it's working out all right

 

[danwan337]

Every book is written with a purpose. While one book gives you idea, the other might have experience of the author. It's advisable to read and understand as much as you can before you even jump to start your own venture.

 

[spElle]

I'd argue The Science of Getting Rich by Wallace Wattles is a book you can read once and become wealthy from but it depends on your definition of wealth. Although I guess you have to be open to metaphysics, new age, etc.

It was the only book I read outside of school before I turned 17 and helped me make £££££ as a teen. Not rich by fastlane standards, but not bad for 13-16 y/o — although if I'd stuck to what the book says from 17-23, I think I would be 10x richer.

 

[WJK]

Yeah, if I had to name ONE book to read that can make you wealthy, I wouldn't be able to say. I don't know what that book would be. Would probably have to pick something more universally applicable... maybe Dale Carnegie's How to Win Friends and Influence People (or mine: How to Win Enemies & Influence People ) - those skills would do you well regardless of what you end up doing in life.


I have yet to find someone who studied business and truly tried to identify what makes for repeatable success. That is one thing I want to do with my life. I haven't found anyone yet. Everyone is very much concerned with how THEY can be successful, and less so with the general principles of success in business. Of course the trite answers of mindset, attitude, and so on will always be the easily available ones. But you have to dig deeper.

It's very hard to say how you can engineer success in any repeatable way. If you look at it successful people come from all sorts of backgrounds. Some are lazy, some are hardworking, some are smart, lthers quite dumb, and so on. It doesn’t seem that success discriminates.

I totally agree. If success was formula, everyone would do it. It's an undefined, rocky, personal path.

 

[Thinh]

Books are great. But if you think they’re a silver bullet, you’re in for some disappointment.

 

[WJK]

Books are great. But if you think they’re a silver bullet, you’re in for some disappointment.

They can't hold a candle to the experience gained from applying some of those ideas and ideals in those books...

 

[Yzn]

it's obvious you haven't read my book or else you'd be ballin'. PM me for COUPONCODE50OFF.

not really.

why don't you try and read a book only when you need it?
are you trying to start a tech business? read a book on starting a tech business.
are you trying to use marketing tactics on your business? read a book on marketing.

start with endpoint then read about it. why do you read the news everyday? because you want to know what's going in the world to begin with.

 

[SamHalen]

Reading can do a lot besides just give information.

Reading lets us visualize goals.
Vizualization builds self-confidence.
Self-confidence leads to action.
Action leads to wealth.

View: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=R6Axmf9wgWE&ab_channel=djvlad

"90% balls; 10% brains."

Source: a guy who owned 3 jets at the age of 47.

So is reading necessary? I would say no. But getting inspiration from somewhere whether it's by talking to people or watching movies or reading is.

 

[ZF Lee]

I've found that I prefer reading more newsletters (email or paper) than books.

Newsletters not only have content that is fresher and more unique than books (a monthly or weekly newsletter will update you more fervently than a book updated every few years), but also give you an idea about the writer's thinking and daily activities.

And newsletters ensure your learnings will be bite-sized, so you can apply them throughout the day or week- or even immediately.

That is, if they did the newsletter RIGHT.

For example, Todd Brown's weekly Marketers' Mind Memo.
(I subbed his list to grab a few of his books)

Here's what every weekly issue contains:
-He talks on a new good book he read on business and marketing (which DON'T show up on the NYT or Amazon Bestsellers, yet have great 5-star feedback...which is a good sign that his reading picks aren't overhyped like the Tim Ferris 4-Hr-Workweek)

-He discusses a few key takeaways from his meetings with his marketing team

-He shares some great articles on marketing and business that Google first-page search never shows (because many times, the first-page searches are too fluff and general in order to cater for a wider audience...another good sign)

I know some good gurus prefer to share valuable content on social media or LinkedIn, as opposed to traditional newsletters. But both channels have become cesspools of fakery and lip-service.

A newsletter, delivered by email or paper, at least can shield out most of the crap.

 

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[kelvinfernandezm]

for those who are looking:
Amazon.com: How to Make Your Man Behave in 21 Days or Less Using the Secrets of Professional Dog Trainers (9781563056260): Salmansohn, Karen, Seiffer, Alison: Books
I gave a certain woman this book one day, so far it's working out all right

Cringe. Imagine stooping down to this level.

 

[Blek]

I've found that I prefer reading more newsletters (email or paper) than books.

Newsletters not only have content that is fresher and more unique than books (a monthly or weekly newsletter will update you more fervently than a book updated every few years), but also give you an idea about the writer's thinking and daily activities.

Oh, the freshness!
You just reminded me that I have some outdated books with "old" knowledge that I should be reading - instead of looking for "new".

 

[Lyinx]

Cringe. Imagine stooping down to this level.

You'd be surprised, and it was an inside thing. Definitely agree it's not what everyone wants to read, but if you want to learn basic people skills then it's a must

 

[Kevin88660]

I stick to mainly interviews and biographies of business people. I prefer short and sweet “case studies”.