Did you know the most successful entrepreneurs read over 50 non-fiction books a year? It makes sense to take a leaf from their book (pardon the pun) to enhance your knowledge and challenge your thinking.
If you want to read more but can’t even find the time for one book a month, this article is for you. Because it is possible to absorb plenty of business books quickly – and importantly – retain the critical insights from within. Read on to learn how.
Use Kindle Audible
Kindle Audible allows you to read books and listen to the audio version at the same time. This means you can switch between reading and listening without losing your place – and switch up the speed too. You can also benefit from real-time text highlighting and note-making within the Kindle app. Better still, you can listen to the audio version through headphones while doing other tasks or have it playing through your car’s speakers when on the road. Some people find they retain information better through audiobooks because they encourage thinking skills and visualisation.
Capture and re-read highlights
Whether you’re reading a business book via an e-reader or a physical copy, always highlight the key points so you can refer back to them. On Kindle, you can tap the three dots at the top of the screen to see your highlights. You can also export highlights to the email address linked to your Amazon account. Or use a third-party app like Readwise to import highlights from Kindle and other e-readers like iBooks and Pocket.
Make reading a habit
As our article on daily habits for successful creative entrepreneurs mentioned, regularly reading for learning is the key to getting ahead in business. So schedule some time into your day to read. It could be in the morning, while you’re eating breakfast or at night before bed. Try to read in the same place and at the same time to create a routine. Always carry your book with you in case you get a spare ten minutes while waiting for an appointment or travelling on public transport.
Get faster at reading
Ever noticed how some readers can whizz through a book while others have an unhurried reading pace? Language skills and a larger vocabulary play a part in speedy reading. And the way to improve those areas is simply to read more. Other tips for reading faster are to silence your inner voice (don’t say the words in your head) and practice skim-reading to identify the main ideas of the text. However, be aware that skim-reading may reduce information retention too – so it’s a balancing act.
Set yourself a challenge
If you’re competitive or enjoy tracking goals, setting yourself a reading challenge could motivate you to stay on track with daily reading and make you feel satisfied when you tick another business book off your list. Goodreads is one app that allows you to set an annual reading goal, track your progress and join book clubs with like-minded people. Bookly is another — it gives you personalised stats in real-time to improve your reading routine – such as your reading speed and when you’re likely to finish your book.
Many high-achieving entrepreneurs and business leaders credit regular reading and life-long learning as being key to their success. Oprah Winfrey has said that books allowed her to dream big and helped her become the powerhouse she is now. Mark Zuckerberg once challenged himself to read a new book every other week to learn about different cultures, beliefs, histories and technologies. And Warren Buffet spends six hours a day reading books and newspapers.
Consider our tips above to help you read more business books — and ensure the lessons within stick, helping you grow both personally and professionally. Why not start your elevated reading habit with The Creative Entrepreneur, the debut book from our founder, Carolyn Dailey? Pre-order it here.