The Best Way to Find More Time to Read: Startup Metrics for Pirates

The Best Way to Find More Time to Read: Startup Metrics for Pirates

In today's fast-paced world, finding time to read can seem like an impossible task. However, there is no secret to it. As simple as it sounds, finding time to read boils down to choices about how you allocate your time. And allocating your time is how successful people increase productivity.

When reading, I generally take notes. I’m underlining, synthesizing, asking questions, and relating concepts from other things I’ve read. This not only helps me remember the key points but also allows me to engage with the material on a deeper level. It's like having a conversation with the author, even if they're not physically present.

If you assume that the average person spends 3-4 hours a day watching TV, an hour or more commuting, and another 2-3 hours a week shopping, that’s 28 hours a week on the low end. That's a significant amount of time that could be better utilized for reading. Just imagine, if you read a page per minute, you could read 1,600 pages a week!

But it's not just about finding the time to read, it's also about utilizing that time effectively. When I’m not reading, I’m trying to think about what I’ve just read. I don’t pull out a book while I’m in the checkout line at the grocery store. While everyone else is playing the “which line is longer game,” I’m toying with something I’ve read recently. Ignorance is more expensive than a book.

To me, reading is more than just a raw input. I read to increase knowledge, find meaning, and gain a better understanding of others and myself. Reading allows me to discover new ideas and perspectives and ultimately make my life better by avoiding mistakes others have made.

Even Nassim Taleb, author of Antifragile, points out that several ancient philosophers grasped the concept of antifragility. He suggests that no matter what problem you're working on, someone somewhere, who is smarter than you, has probably thought about it and put it into a book. So why not tap into that collective wisdom?

In The Prince, Machiavelli writes, “A wise man ought always to follow the paths beaten by great men, and to imitate those who have been supreme, so that if his ability does not equal theirs, at least it will savor of it.” Seneca, on the same subject, wrote, “Men who have made these discoveries before us are not our masters, but our guides.” This emphasizes the importance of learning from those who have come before us and using their knowledge as a guide in our own lives.

If you’re not keeping what you read, you probably want to think about what you’re reading and how. It's not just about consuming information, but also about retaining and applying it. As Warren Buffett famously said, “The rich invest in time, the poor invest in money.” Charlie Munger, voracious reader, billionaire, and vice chairman of Berkshire Hathaway, once commented: “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.” This highlights the correlation between reading and wisdom.

So, what are the benefits of reading more? Well, aside from the obvious increase in knowledge, reading can lead to increased intelligence, better ideas, and a deeper understanding of yourself and others. It may also result in an uncomfortable silence when someone asks you what happened on Game of Thrones last night and you say “Game of what?”

Incorporating the principles of startup metrics can help you make the most out of your reading time. The "pirate" part comes from the 5 steps: Acquisition, Activation, Retention, Referral, & Revenue (AARRR!). These metrics, initially used in the startup world, can be applied to reading as well.

Acquisition refers to how you acquire books or reading material. Are you utilizing your local library, buying physical copies, or using e-books? Activation is about how you engage with the material. Are you taking notes, highlighting, or discussing it with others? Retention is all about how well you remember what you've read. Are you reviewing your notes regularly or revisiting key concepts? Referral refers to recommending books or sharing your insights with others. And revenue, in the context of reading, can be seen as the value you gain from the knowledge acquired.

To make the most of your reading time, here are three actionable pieces of advice:

1. Prioritize reading: Take a critical look at how you allocate your time and identify areas where you can cut back. Instead of spending hours mindlessly scrolling through social media or watching TV, dedicate that time to reading.

2. Make reading a habit: Set aside a specific time each day for reading. Whether it's in the morning, during lunch breaks, or before bed, having a consistent reading routine will help you stay on track and make progress.

3. Engage with the material: Don't just passively consume information. Take notes, ask questions, and relate concepts to other things you've read. Engaging with the material will not only help you retain information but also deepen your understanding.

In conclusion, finding more time to read is within your control. By making conscious choices about how you allocate your time and utilizing the principles of startup metrics, you can create a reading routine that is both enjoyable and productive. So, prioritize reading, make it a habit, and engage with the material. Your mind will thank you.