Business Books

I'm not sure business books are that much of great idea in terms of investing your time and money. You'll learn a lot more by doing IMO.

OK I am looking forwards to people who actually read books to respond , I'm not seeking advice from idiots

I try to only get books or products that are a solution to a knowledge gap I have at the time.

That way there's no Shiny Object Syndrome.

Sometimes I read books recommended by friends or experts I follow.

I read every day, but in short spurts. What I do is find something useful in a book, and go out and USE IT as soon as possible. I try to integrate the new idea into my thinking and approach. Not just "leave it on the shelf."

I keep notes separate from the book. I study the book as I read it, trying to gel with where and how it's applicable to me, and how I could apply it.

As knowledge deepens continually from many sources, I find going back and reviewing books (and notes) again can yield more of an understanding of, or build on, tidbits which I may have interpreted previously a different way or not gotten the full meaning of.

I don't keep notes, but what I take in usually stays in my brain as long as it sticks out to me. I do have an idea notebook(s) or mastermind sheets of concepts, ideas, or strategies that are inspired by whatever book I'm reading. I honestly don't get much out of most books anymore that are focused on marketing, sales, etc. the best books I've read are "The Prince" and "The Art of War". I mostly read just to stay sharp.

Mike,

I may be in the minority here, and it can be a pain in the ass because it takes FOREVER to get through a book... but here's what I do.

By the way, I've been a voracious reader since for the past 20 years.

I've read so many good books... but I started noticing a trend.

I would read a book and then just get into the habit of reading it to finish it... and when I finished it, I'd move onto the next book.

Sure, I'd take notes, use sticky notes and dog ears, but still I found that i didn't go back to actually take action on my notes.

so here's what I do now, and it can really slow down my reading... but it works out so much better for me.

when I read a book, and come across something that just "wows" me and I feel it will help me in my business... I put the book down and implement it right then and there.

No note taking, coming back to it later, or any of that.

I take action and implement it right then and there.

That's why, these days, I'll usually read while taking a break from work. I have my book and read it right beside the laptop.

If I come across something that makes sense and I want to implement it, I'll jump online and do it right then and there.

THAT fast action usually let's me get results fast, to see if it helped or mattered at all.

I've found that doing this, there's no chance for procrastination or lack of implementing things.

I'll read something, and if it's something i want to try, or something that "wows me", i'll implement it right then and there.

sure, this takes forever to get through books now, but I've found that I'm trying and testing out so many different ideas and techniques...whereas before i'd never get around to them.

I've gone from 50 books a year, to 20 or so, but have gotten a LOT more out of each one in terms of implementing ideas.

When reading a book - I usually am looking for a few nuggets I can use. Unless the book is really deep, it isn't likely that everything is new to me. So, I've got my radar on for new ideas.

I read very quickly until I get to a new idea that I think I can use. Then I slow way down to digest it.

I used to run into the same problem as you. I would take notes and then later I couldn't figure out how to apply them or why I thought they were profound. I have a new method that really solved that problem for me.

Instead of taking notes about what the book is saying - I take notes about what I should do with what it is saying.

When my interest is peaked - I am flowing with ideas and ways I can use the info. So, I write out an action plan right then and there. Later, when I am reading the notes, it doesn't matter if I remember every aspect of what the book said. I have a pretty good plan written out.

That's all that matters anyway, isn't it?

The E-Myth mentioned earlier changed my life. Once I understood I was a entrepreneur, then everything else made sense in my life. I have been self employed since I was 28, Full Time Internet Marketer since 2007, I highly suggest reading that book if you are unsure about your level of entrepreneurship.

Cheers for the responses gents.
Interesting variety of methods and ideas.

Personally I read mainly looking for one of two ideas/angles that can make a difference to what and how I am already doing things , small tweaks that add 1% or more to the end results and it all adds up . Also some books deal with much newer platforms , newer ways of delivering certain solutions , a new way of looking at engaging with customers etc , creating experiences that people want to share etc. Plus some of the older classics that just reignite some things that were maybe dwindling in my performances etc.

I like many of the ideas in your replies though and appreciate your time

There are business books that teach you how to balance your ledger hire the right people and manage your cash flow.

[QUOTE=mjbmedia;8605068

What do you do with the information you glean from business books?[/QUOTE]

I make a point to find the big idea, whether it be in the preface, introduction
or parts of the breakdown of it.

If it hits home then I can normally remember it.

When the need arises to expand on the idea,
I can go back to the chapter in the book.

Having the central theme allows me to tag
who the author was and easily retrieve fhe details from fhe book.

Saves time and clutter in my brain.

Best
Ewen

I read between 1 and 2 books a week. I am always learning, improving and implementing the knowledge.

When I read on Kindle I make sure that I've absorbed the full content of the book on the first go, making use of the bookmark feature for ideas that stand out to me.

I think that when you read a non-fiction, the ideas that will help you the most will strike you without having to do anything consciously. They will jump out at you automatically, which may be only 20% of the book's content.

I have about 200 books on sales and marketing, psychology and strategic management since I started my business approx 2 years ago.

That's a very wonderful question

Here are my 2 cents

When I read a business/spiritual/self-help book I do this:

*** I try to repeat what I've learned first within my own mind, or maybe writing a post about it, or share it with others.

Then I implement the info for my life/business. Then I incorporate that into articles and blog comments.

I like to inspire people, so everything I learn, one way or another reaches that others that either join my list, or buy from me.

Was this helpful? Do you have any further questions?

Many print books are now available as Kindle ebooks. I'm wondering how you can make notes from such a book. Maybe there is some type of app that would allow this?

You could dictate notes to your Android or Iphone and then have the notes transcribed through the dragon speech to text mechanism.

CT

All the classic, sales + advertising + psychology books will help you tons. The knowledge contained in them are as valid today as they were, when they were first published.

Here's my process:

*I much prefer audio books, especially if they are narrated by the author, because I feel like the author is just talking to me and teaching me. I feel like Audio books are 3d and books are 2d, so to speak.*

**I believe that most people read books for the sake of reading books and don't pick up a damn thing.

In life, most people will tell you after they read a book about 1 or 2 things they picked up. They BARELY scratch the surface. Even very bright and succesful people sometimes do this.

Books and programs are ways to learn what successful people have done in any aspect you want. ANYTHING you can conceive of. Think of the phrase, damn man, you know so much about X you should write a book about it. Well guess what, you can learn from the people who knew so much about the things that interest you and the areas you want expertise in, that the write a book on it!

My goal for every worthwhile book or program is to absorb everything worthwhile. I feel that most people read a book to feel accomplished. They focus on the means, not the end result they were really after. People like to tell you how fast they can get through a book or how many books they have read. If you really want to completely absorb everything, read it and listen to it over and over.

Most people's notes are lumped together, scribbled, and mostly, will never be seen again

Here's my steps for ultimate retention and incorporation of what you've learned
1. Write an Objective for what I want to get out of the book, have a learning strategy for the book. Make sure it is worth it to you.

2. Listen to the Audiobook, this will get you the philosophy from the author.

3. Read the book, highlight everything worth while.

4. Read the highlights again

*Take notes only on the ideas that you generate from steps 2, 3 and 4.

5. Take notes in Google Drive, categorize by subject and author (this allows me to access and update them any time, any where, which is often necessary because ideas come to me at random times)

6. Add images & Headings to each major section of notes to sort better through them later. The images will allow you to easily remember, recognize and incorporate what you learned.

7. Write a review of what you learned in your journal

8. Write the Action Steps of what you want to incorporate from what you learned, and break it down into the exact steps required, strategize!

9. Practice what you've learned.

10. Step away from it for a while, let it seep into your being, changing who you are.

11. Listen to the audiobook again, read over your higlights again, add any notes and review your notes. Reading over it a second time, you will see it with different eyes, and you will read it with different ears. For example, if you read over the first business book you ever read now, you would probably pick up on many much more advanced things and make many more connections and generate many more ideas, because you formed a new basis for understanding. You built a better frame to build these new concepts and ideas you are trying to incorporate.

Yes, Im very anal retentive (I totally just realized that reading over my post here, lol) -- but... If you want to be very succesful, you need to do things better than your competitors. Your clients, customers, etc pay you to be an expert at what you do. This is how to become an expert, and in short order.

Don't just read a book to read the book, absorb it into who you are, milk that ******* thing for all it's worth, every bit of knowledge you can get!