The Importance of Reading and Choosing Your North Star Metric

The Importance of Reading and Choosing Your North Star Metric

In today's fast-paced world, it's easy to claim that we don't have time to read. However, if we take a closer look at our screen time app on our phones or our packed calendars, we might find that we actually spend more time than we think on activities that don't contribute much to our personal growth. Reading is not a luxury but a necessity. It's an investment in ourselves that can lead to life-changing ideas and a great return on investment.

To make the most out of our reading, it's essential to keep a commonplace book. This practice, advocated by Seneca, involves gathering helpful teachings and sayings that we can immediately apply to our lives. By collecting these nuggets of wisdom, we create a knowledge base that allows us to trace a subject back to its core and deepen our understanding.

When choosing what to read, we should err on the side of age. Classics are classics for a reason, and they have stood the test of time. The Lindy Effect tells us that things that have lasted longer are likely to continue lasting. By exploring the footnotes and bibliography of the books we read, we can discover new books that build upon the knowledge we've acquired. This process helps us develop a comprehensive understanding of a subject.

Re-reading books is another valuable practice. While the books themselves don't change, we do. Each time we revisit a book, we bring new experiences, perspectives, and insights that allow us to glean fresh wisdom from familiar pages. However, it's important to note that not every book is worth finishing. The best readers know when to quit a book that doesn't captivate them. Life is too short to waste time on books we don't enjoy.

To make our reading choices more intentional, we can follow three actionable advice. First, never read a book that is not at least a year old. This ensures that we focus on books that have stood the test of time and have proven their quality. Second, prioritize reading renowned books. They have gained their reputation for a reason and are more likely to provide valuable insights. Lastly, read only what you like. Reading should be an enjoyable experience, and forcing ourselves to read something we dislike is counterproductive.

Reading is not just a hobby; it's a habit of successful leaders. All leaders are readers because they understand the importance of accumulating wisdom from various sources. The Stoics believed in actively engaging with anyone who can provide us with wisdom, regardless of their background. The goal of reading is to accumulate true wisdom that we can apply in our daily lives and share with others.