I love reading books!

I always make time to just sit down and read, even if it’s just for a few minutes. I use ebooks when I can’t get my hands on a real book.

Reading in a cafe or a similar spot helps me focus and really get into the book.

The right environment is super important for me to get any reading or work done.

If you’re struggling to focus while reading or studying, maybe try this:

Find a place where you can be super productive.

It could be a cafe, a library, a hotel room, or any other spot that works for you.

The right environment can make a big difference when you’re trying to read or get things done.

Reading doesn’t work

But here’s the thing: reading alone doesn’t change me.

The more I read, the more I realize I haven’t really changed.

I’m still the same person, and reading can feel like procrastination instead of progress. It’s like a false sense of accomplishment.

So why do we even read?

We want to be smarter, learn more, and read lots of books in a year. But just reading doesn’t automatically make those things happen.

That’s why I’ve switched from just reading books to actually studying them.

Studying books

I got this idea from Alex Hormozi on YouTube.

He doesn’t just read books anymore, he studies them.

It’s a big deal because most people read without really absorbing the knowledge. They just skim through the pages.

The important part is to actually study and apply what you learn.

You could read five self-help books and be way ahead of most people if you actually put the advice into practice.

Here’s the key: reading books isn’t just about how many pages you get through. It’s about how much you understand and use in your life.

You don’t have to apply everything, but there’s always something you can learn to become a better person, right?

The book itself isn’t everything; it’s how you study it and use it in your everyday life.

So, here’s how I study books instead of just reading them:

1. I don’t let myself love my book too much.

I’ve learned not to get too attached to my books. If I love them too much, I end up babying them, constantly cleaning them, and not wanting to write anything in them.

I know you can take notes on separate paper, but sometimes I want to see the notes right in the book itself when I reread it.

Flipping through a notebook to find the right notes takes time and energy.

So, I just make a small tick or underline important parts in the book.

This helps me focus on those key sentences and really pay attention to them.

This works well for quick notes, but if you want to write a summary, then a notebook or separate paper is definitely better.

2. Write it down, highlight it, and repeat it until it sticks in your mind.

It’s similar to a common study method.

You write down what you’re learning, then read it over and over.

You try to explain it in your own words and repeat it.

This helps you understand the material better and figure out how to use it in your own life.

The more you understand, the more the book sticks with you.

3. Re-read the same book that you want to apply to.

I’ve read Atomic Habits by James Clear multiple times because I wanted to actually use the ideas in the book. You can do the same for books you want to put into practice in your own life.

You don’t have to do it with every book you read.

If you find something useful, write it down!

Some books have one main idea that’s stretched out into a whole book.

In that case, you can just write down the key takeaway or a quick summary, so you don’t have to reread the entire thing.

But for books with lots of ideas and strategies, I recommend rereading and making a detailed summary.

Studying books doesn’t mean reading is bad.

It’s just a more effective way to learn and apply what you read to your life.

Remember, reading is great, but it’s not always enough if you want to make real changes.

I hope this helps!

Keep learning and growing!

As Brian Tracy said, “Reading is to the mind as exercise is to the body.”

Categorized in:

Personal Development