Hi All!
It’s hard to believe it is already December, the very last month of the year. Time sure does fly by.
I don’t know about you but at the end of every year, I find myself reading more books than usual. Perhaps it’s because it’s colder outside and I spend more time indoors. Or maybe its because society likes to embrace a slower pace to life we as approach Christmas.
No matter the reason, I am always grateful for times when I can read more. Reading books has opened me up to a lot of knowledge and it is slowly helping me grow into the person that I want to be. I believe that it can do the same for you. It’s a long journey, but perhaps this week’s newsletter will put you on the right path (if you’re not already on it, of course).
1. “The more often you share what you’ve learned, the stronger that information will become in your memory.” — Steve Brunkhorst
When people talk about reading books, what they typically refer to are fiction books like the Harry Potter Series. Books that describe imaginary events and people might not contain actionable advice, but they carry much value regardless. Reading fiction books has been shown to build vocabulary, prevent cognitive decline, and strengthen the brain on many levels.
Personally, I am not a fan of fiction books because they don’t have much of an application in life. When I devote time to reading, I am always looking for information that can help me become a better person. That’s why I exclusively read non-fiction books.
Whenever I learn something new in a self-help or business book, I like to share it with friends and family. I do this for one reason: It helps me remember what I read. The learn-by-teaching effect has been demonstrated in many studies and has been shown to be an effective method for retaining new information. So, the next time you learn something valuable in a book, share it with you peers. It’ll force you to slow down and think about the information in a more detailed manner.
2. “Exceptional readers can extract information from books and relate it to their own life.” — Mike van der Poel
This week’s article is called, “How to Keep a Reading Journal and the Incredible Benefits of Using One“. It explains, as the title suggests, how to take advantage of a reading journal. On top of that, it lists some of the benefits that come with using one.
One of the reasons that many people keep a reading journal is because it helps them memorize information. This is the main reason I use one myself. Self-help books in particular are chock-full of advice that can be implemented into your life. If you write down what you’ve learned, you’re much more likely to retain that knowledge and apply it.
Until next week,
Mike van der Poel
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