Why do this?
Let's start with a little interesting fact: I've never been a big fan of reading, at least up to 22 years for sure. That is, I did not read anything except the fact that the program was supposed to and did not find this any pleasure. However, for the lower classes, I came across one of the books of Michael Lewis and I even liked it. Anyway, after that, I took another book, and officially assumed the title of a book worm.
But what's the point in all this? Why try to read one book every week for a year? It is difficult, moreover, the majority without it has a reasonably busy lives in which there are other more important things that need attention. For what I have done?
1. Ideas, ideas, ideas: It helps me generate ideas not only for my site, but for my life.
2. Knowledge / EducationIf you do not use your brain, it atrophies. This allows me to constantly be aware of the fact that interest me.
3. I have something to share: The more I read, the more information in my head that I can share with others to solve their problems.
4. It's a challenge: Who does not love a good challenge? We must always do what pushes us forward and makes progress. This is a good way to strengthen the intrinsic motivation, confidence, discipline and willpower.
5. It is cheaper than conventional training: Details of this point will be discussed later, but 52 of the book cost me about $ 500 in total, and higher education will cost me about $ 21,000. In addition, I can focus on those things that I was most interested in, and learn about them for a year of reading is much more than what I would have learned... four or even eight, taking into account postgraduate (we are talking about the American system) Years of formal education.
6. You begin to see beyond the view from his window: Reading teaches to go beyond your mental comfort zone and learn new ideas, theories and beliefs. You will be able to assess different positions and beliefs, to see things and the world from a different perspective.
7. The best teachers: you get access to the best minds and the most successful teachers of all time for the... well, about 10-20 bucks a head. This is probably the best deal in your life.
8. Communications: reading allowed me to build better social relationships. I feel that it makes me a more interesting person, I can now talk about a bunch of different items at any time, it is nothing to start and maintain a conversation on a variety of topics.
9. It's just fucking fun and surprising: I repeat, it's really cool !!!
The list goes on and on, but these are the main reasons for my actions that I wanted to share with you.
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For those who have these reasons are not enough ...
Well, if you listed reasons not seem too convincing, I will reveal to you the main reason. The fact that I am somewhat disappointed in our education system. I would not want to turn this post into an arena of battle opponents and defenders of the traditional education system. Modern schools are doing a lot to teach us new knowledge and skills, give new ideas and directions of development, to prepare for professional work.
All this is true, but I'm not sure that you invested money in training and, most importantly, time are optimal in terms of the result. If you have to pay for their education, then you know how difficult it is. Many people get into more debt to continue their education, and then after graduation can not find work in their fields or even realize that you have chosen is not their job. It turns out that they just threw money down the drain?
I wanted to check whether the self-help books to replace a visit to the college, saving more than 20 000 $, and as a way to be good? That is why a year ago I set a goal to read a 52-week exactly 52 books.
How to really read one book every week
After a somewhat lengthy entry pass to the most interesting. You probably want to know how this can be done in practice. In fact, it is much easier than you think, and you can apply the proposed method for me and for all purposes, and learning what you want. Piano, learning a new language, dancing.
1. Put the right goals. It was said a thousand times, but it depends on the success of the business. The goals should be meaningful to you, specific, measurable, realistic. And do not forget about a nice reward for their achievement.
2. A selection of books. Every Saturday night, I chose a book that will be read next week. I chose the book based on the recommendations of friends, teachers, or simply in accordance with their personal interests in the subjects that I have studied.
3. The division into small steps. Setting read a thick book in a week may look a bit intimidating, but I usually shared a number of pages in the six days (one day -rest for brains). Thus, the 300-page book includes reading only 50 pages a day, that does not sound so scary and difficult.
4. Special time. The main obstacle for all of these initiatives - the constant lack of time. Therefore, select a special time in your daily, which will be designed specifically for reading. the only free time I had in the morning, so I began to wake up a little earlier and devote time to reading it. In addition, your mood, willpower and determination in the morning is at its highest point, so if you will be a tricky business, it is best to do this is in the morning.
5. Schedule flexibility. Not every book I read, contained the 300 pages. There were significantly more thick books, which beat the week is simply impossible. In this case, I compensated for lag one or more thinner editions, remaining thus in line with the schedule without compromising the perception of reading.
6. Read in any free moment. Despite the early hour of reading, I was ready for it every minute. My iPad was with me always and everywhere: in transport, at bus stops, in lines or even in the toilet. Be prepared to read a couple of pages at any moment.
7. See that you are interested. If you are doing things you love and find out new information on the subject you're interested, the reading process is easily and quickly. This is the main secret.
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And in the end?
In my personal deep feeling for this year I learned about life, philosophy, and how to achieve success for themselves and the world around a lot more than eight years of schooling. It was not an easy year, but its follow-up, I feel completely different than before and I am not sure that such an experience could give me a traditional education. Moreover, the reading gave me a much more broad-minded and courage in the work, which is not very welcome in the programmed to standardize the modern education system.
What conclusion can be drawn from my story?
Today there are so many ways to self-education, from online courses and finishing traditional books, that a major investment of money and time in formal education are not the most good solution. In any case for me. What do you think about this?
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