Why Does Gary Halbert Recommend Not Taking Notes When Reading?

by jkhdsf
7 replies
I'm frustrated at some advice given by Gary Halbert.

In this post, Gary explains a 5 Step Road Map for How To Become A Copywriter In 30 Days.

There is a reading list and his instructions are not to take notes, just rip through the books. Then, later on, the instructions are to read all the books again and take notes.

Anyone have a theory for why this is good advice? It's painful for me to just skim over a gem of wisdom without highlighting it for future reference.

Should I follow Gary's advice or should I allow myself to highlight important passages?
#advice #gary #halbert #notes #reading #recommend #taking
  • Profile picture of the author TheSalesBooster
    Do what ever you think is best for you. Everyone doesn't learn the same way.
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  • Profile picture of the author robkinn
    Originally Posted by jkhdsf View Post

    I'm frustrated at some advice given by Gary Halbert.

    In this post, Gary explains a 5 Step Road Map for How To Become A Copywriter In 30 Days.

    There is a reading list and his instructions are not to take notes, just rip through the books. Then, later on, the instructions are to read all the books again and take notes.

    Anyone have a theory for why this is good advice? It's painful for me to just skim over a gem of wisdom without highlighting it for future reference.

    Should I follow Gary's advice or should I allow myself to highlight important passages?
    It's quite similar to what a screenwriter would do. Go and watch a movie for entertainment first. Then watch it again, but this time wear you're "screenwriters hat".
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  • Profile picture of the author gjabiz
    For ACCELERATION purposes. 30 days.

    And it wouldn't be a "part-time" job either.

    He wants you to READ quickly, doesn't say to skim over a gem, if it is one, you'll catch it again when you go back and take notes.

    I'm not speaking for Gary, of course, but my opinion as to his theory is

    He wants you to FOCUS on nothing else and reading those works is going to take at least a week or more, and doing the rest, including the camera ready mock-up is about flooding your brain with copywriting thinking.

    I do know that Gary didn't like people to disobey his instructions, talk to one of his cubs during the mentoring process.

    Bottom line for you is, do you respect his theory based on mountains of success or do you want to vary it to suit your own learning style and perhaps, in doing it your way...you miss out a valuable lesson which might make a huge difference in your goal? It's up to you.

    gjabiz
    Originally Posted by jkhdsf View Post

    I'm frustrated at some advice given by Gary Halbert.

    In this post, Gary explains a 5 Step Road Map for How To Become A Copywriter In 30 Days.

    There is a reading list and his instructions are not to take notes, just rip through the books. Then, later on, the instructions are to read all the books again and take notes.

    Anyone have a theory for why this is good advice? It's painful for me to just skim over a gem of wisdom without highlighting it for future reference.

    Should I follow Gary's advice or should I allow myself to highlight important passages?
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    • Profile picture of the author Rezbi
      Originally Posted by gjabiz View Post

      Bottom line for you is, do you respect his theory based on mountains of success or do you want to vary it to suit your own learning style and perhaps, in doing it your way...you miss out a valuable lesson which might make a huge difference in your goal? It's up to you.
      gjabiz
      Good point.

      Too many people take on a teacher then question the teacher's advice. Why bother to take one on then?

      My advice?

      First do what the teacher says. Then, when and if you feel accomplished enough, do your own thing.
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      • Profile picture of the author cjp214
        I had the same problem when I was working my way through his recommended program. I can't tell you how many times I had to stop myself from breaking out the yellow highlighter and just... read.

        But I trusted the advice and now I'm glad I did. Follow the steps as closely as you can. Ripping through the books on your first pass gives you a broad, "aerial view" of fundamental copywriting principles.

        Then, when you go back through the books the second time (twice is not enough, honestly), you can break out the microscope, fill your notebooks, and break down the big ideas into nuggets.

        You might think you're missing critical info on your first time through. But don't worry; you're retaining more than you think. There really is something to just absorbing as much information you can in a short period of time.

        Let me know how it goes. Good luck.

        Corey J. Pemberton
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        ...............................Do Your Ads Turn Your Prospects Off?
        I Play with Words that Grab Prospects by the Collar and Make Websites Sell

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        • Profile picture of the author Daedalus15
          Originally Posted by cjp214 View Post


          Ripping through the books on your first pass gives you a broad, "aerial view" of fundamental copywriting principles.

          Then, when you go back through the books the second time (twice is not enough, honestly), you can break out the microscope, fill your notebooks, and break down the big ideas into nuggets.
          I am going through this program right now and I agree with Corey that this is the logic behind his advice. I have almost completed reading all of his recommended books without taking any notes, and I think that this broader aerial view will make me much more efficient at taking notes when I reread them.
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  • Profile picture of the author jkhdsf
    Thanks to all who've responded.

    @ Corey, I think I really needed to hear someone who's gone through it before tell me what you have. I'm grateful for the advice and I will follow that!
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