Reading Better and Making Great Changes: The Path to Continuous Improvement

Reading Better and Making Great Changes: The Path to Continuous Improvement

Great minds are known for their voracious reading habits. As Bismarck wisely said, "Only a fool learns from his own mistakes. The wise man learns from the mistakes of others." Reading allows us to tap into the wisdom of those who have come before us and learn from their experiences. In fact, in the words of Charlie Munger, "In my whole life, I have known no wise people (over a broad subject matter area) who didn’t read all the time – none, zero." So, let's explore the art of reading better and how it can lead us on the path of continuous improvement.

When it comes to reading, it's important to remember that the number of books you read doesn't necessarily matter. Instead, focus on the quality of what you read. Read great books, articles, and essays more than once. Good books have a way of finishing themselves. They grip you from the first page and refuse to let go. On the other hand, trying to finish a bad book is like trudging through the mud with a wheelbarrow full of bricks. Life is too short for that. So, start books quickly but give them up easily. Don't waste your precious time on books that don't captivate you.

But how do you decide which books deserve a complete read and which ones can be skimmed? This is where the Levels of Reading come into play. The Levels of Reading offer four different approaches to reading, from easiest to hardest. Most of our time will be spent between levels 2 and 3. Level 2 involves reading to inform, while level 3 focuses on reading to understand. Some books only deserve a skim, while others demand your complete attention. The effort you put in should be proportional to what you're reading and why you're reading it.

Now, let's address a common misconception - reading speed. Reading speed is nothing more than a vanity metric. Nobody cares how fast you read or how many books you read last year. What truly matters is what you absorb. It's about the quality, not the quantity. So, instead of obsessing over how quickly you can finish a book, focus on what you can learn and take away from it. The opportunity cost of reading something new is potentially missing out on the chance to re-read the best book you've ever encountered. Don't underestimate the power of revisiting a cherished book and extracting even more value from it.

As you read, it's crucial to engage actively with the material. One effective way to do this is through writing. Writing about what you read helps solidify your understanding and reveals any gaps in your knowledge. The blank sheet of paper becomes a canvas for your thoughts and insights. It primes your brain for the upcoming material and allows you to connect new knowledge to old knowledge. Writing is a process of discovery, where you often realize that you don't know as much as you thought you did. So, embrace the act of writing and use it as a tool to enhance your learning journey.

Now, let's shift our focus to making great changes in our lives. Often, we set vast and distant goals that seem overwhelming and unattainable. It's easy to become demoralized and give up before even starting. This is where the principle of kaizen comes in. Kaizen is the philosophy of gradual change. It encourages us to make small, incremental improvements over time. In an age of instant gratification, mastering the art of kaizen can be challenging. However, it is a skill worth cultivating.

The idea behind kaizen is that even if you strive to live a faultless and perfect life, there will always be something left to criticize. Perfection is an unattainable goal. Instead, the focus should be on being better than before. As Seneca wisely said, "I am not a 'wise man,' nor… shall I ever be. And so, require not from me that I should be equal to the best, but that I should be better than the wicked. It is enough for me if every day I reduce the number of my vices and blame my mistakes." Kaizen, which translates to "good change," emphasizes the practice of continuous improvement in small steps.

While the path of kaizen may take longer, it ensures sustainability. Slowly, slowly, and over a great time, great things can be achieved. By focusing on making small changes and constantly improving, we can avoid the pitfalls of overwhelming ourselves with unrealistic expectations. It's about progress, not perfection.

To conclude, reading better and following the philosophy of kaizen can lead us on a path of continuous improvement and personal growth. Here are three actionable pieces of advice to incorporate into your life:

1. Choose quality over quantity when it comes to reading. Read great books, articles, and essays multiple times to truly absorb the wisdom they offer. Don't be afraid to abandon books that don't resonate with you.

2. Actively engage with what you read through writing. Take notes, write summaries, and reflect on the material. Writing helps solidify your understanding and reveals any gaps in your knowledge.

3. Embrace the philosophy of kaizen. Instead of setting overwhelming goals, focus on making small, incremental changes. Seek continuous improvement in every aspect of your life, recognizing that perfection is unattainable.

Remember, the journey of self-improvement is a lifelong endeavor. Embrace the process, be open to learning, and never stop seeking knowledge. As Albert Einstein once said, "The only source of knowledge is experience." So, let your reading and continuous improvement be your gateway to a life of wisdom and growth.