Ben Skute
Books are an amazing source of knowledge and wisdom. If you’re anything like me you’ve spent hours and hours reading your way through countless self-help and informational books. But how do you actually take the knowledge you’ve acquired and apply it to your real life?
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#1 Action List: 3 Easy Steps
- Highlight areas as you read
- Review your highlighted copy and action items several chapters at atime on a timely basis
- Check-in with your progress
When I’m reading a book for the first time, certain phrases and ideas suddenly “jump” off the page at me! I highlight the text (whether using my Kindle or reading an actual book) immediately!I’ve realized that these concepts/ideas that jump off the page at me right off-the-bat are things that demand my attention for a good reason, so I pay attention to them and highlight them!I make an “action list” (on the “note” section of my phone or an actual sheet of paper) of what items I can do *right now* and implement that strategy into my schedule immediately. If I can’t implement the strategy right now, I still add the idea/concept to my action list for later implementation.
Contributors: Allison Constantino from A.M. Productions, Inc.
#2 Speed Reading
I used to have difficulties to read and get something out of a book. But, recently, I learned a few speed reading techniques from Jim Kwik and Tim Ferris. With that, the pace of reading got in a magic way that the knowleadge was readable. Before that, I used to come and go, back and forward until the paragraph was understandable.
Another point: read as if you going have to use it later. read as is you are going to teach someone later. Read imagining you using it later.
Contributors: Ricardo de Andrade Nakano from Nakano Soft
#3 Start Small And Be Consistent
For a given topic, there are so many different books with varying points of views that you can end up being overwhelmed. The best way to apply knowledge from the books is to start small and be consistent. The first step is to identify learnings that resonate with you and can be applied to your life. Don't try to move mountains, instead take baby steps. If you see it working, keep on doing it. Recently, I read the book Deep Work by Cal Newport and have been applying it to my life. There are so many different books written on this topic and have covered hundreds of different ways to get work done and be more productive. Since Deep Work resonated with me, I tried applying it to my life one bit at a time.
Contributors: Sumit Bansal from Craft of Blogging
#4 Start without the book
Start by writing -to yourself- “How do I solve (specific personal problem)?” Once you've done this as clearly as possible, you can now read the book and take notes. You’ll find it easier to spot specific ways to apply what you read. You always find what you're actively looking for.
Contributors: Winston C. Ikekeonwu from Align Academy Group
#5 Study. Observe. Practice
I tend not to read books which I can't practice at least five times as much as the time it takes to read. Book knowledge is good for feeding your head. To activate it and make it real for yourself, put it into practice through your own experience. To do this, observe instances where events and encounters in your life mirror its truth. Discern how the experience depends on your understanding. Then consider how your thoughts and behaviour might more fully realize the topic or theme next time ... and observe it again.
I treat this technique at more length in my new book PAUSE BREATHE SMILE.
Contributors: Gary Gach, author / Zen mindfulness coach
#6 READ system
How-to authors tend to have a system, or organizational model, of presenting information. For example, one of my body language books uses the READ system: review, evaluate, analyze, and decide. If the reader moves through the booksequentially, the system should become clear-and it is the gateway to incorporating the author's helpful information into daily life.
To use the READ system as an example, if a reader jumps to the section on decide,which focuses on making judgements about the meaning of certain body language, he or she will get it all wrong. Without going through all the steps, you are no more knowledgeable about body language than you were before you picked up the book.
Contributors: Maryann Karinch from The Rudy Agency
#7 Get Vocal
The first step to actualizing lessons from literature is to vocalize them. You may feel inspired, and motivated by a book, but putting those feelings into words outside of yourself puts the motivation into the world. You're then able to start formulating where you are in relation to these abstract ideas. How do these ideas affect you personally? Hearing them said out loud allows you to integrate them and make them your own.
Contributors: Caleb Backe from Maple Holistics
#8 Get Social
Explaining your inspiration to others can lead you to further clarity. After you've formulated an idea of how you will integrate your new life lessons into your practical daily life, share them with someone. Speaking with others acts not only as a sounding board to hear your thoughts back to you; speaking with others can provide deeper insight and get you closer to your goal.
Contributors: Caleb Backe from Maple Holistics
#9 Get Visual
Placing strategic notes and reminders in your phone throughout the day will naturally incorporate new ideas in your life. After the initial motivation wears off, it might be difficult to keep on track with your inspired goals. Putting reminders and notes in your phone and around your house means that at regular intervals in your day your mind is brought back to focus on it's mission. You are not only reminded of the idea, but of the reason that idea appealed to you in the first place, yourinspiration is restored, until it becomes second nature.
Contributors: Caleb Backe from Maple Holistics
#10 Take Notes
One of the best ways to implement the knowledge that you are gaining from a book is to take notes while reading. It will help you retain the information and will be an easy reference for you to review.
Contributors: Beth Shankle Anderson from The Style Bouquet
#11 Read Slowly
o best implement the knowledge you are gaining from reading, try to read slowly and take each suggestion the book gives one at a time. Actually, performing the suggested activity will help you decide whether or not you want to add it to your routine or as a habit.
Contributors: Beth Shankle Anderson from The Style Bouquet
#12 Set an intention of what you want from the book
The last business-related book I read was Presuasion by Robert Cialdini. Prior to beginning the book, I set the intention that I was going to pick up tips to change up the wording on my e-commerce website. Setting the intention made these tips jump straight out at me and give me direct ideas. I wrote each one of these down. I do the same thing with any business or performance book that I read. Sometimes I don't get what I was looking for, but that's okay.
Contributors: Maryna Shkvorets from Public Speaking for Introverts
#13 Get a buddy
It’s always great to have a workout buddy, someone who meets you at the tennis court, or gym, and you support each other in showing up to work out. So do the same thing if you’d like to take knowledge from a book. Let’s say you want to start reaching out to relatives more often, tell a buddy, and have that person check in with you once a week on this topic. Often having someone to be accountable to will bump up the pressure to start the new behavior.
Contributors: Tina Mertel from Meaningful Coaching
#14 Re-Read
Re-read the book every year. Keep the lessons fresh in your mind.
Contributors: George Veater from Veater Financial Group & Fit Because Podcast
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