How to keep the axe sharp forever

Have you ever heard someone say (brag), "I've read that book eight times, and I learn something new each time I read it!" Yeah, it's annoying to hear no matter who it's from. 

Let's get real, who has time to read a book about business more than once? There are SO many incredible business books out there (so I hear). How in the world will I have time to read them all...and then read some more than once!​

I feel ya, and I think I might be able to offer some advice.

For starters, choosing the book is key. Don't choose sucky ones! How's that for beating around the bush?

There are classics, and there are wannabe classics. If you're not a reader, stick to ones that have been proven and recommended by everyone. Here are a few to start with:

How to Win Friends and Influence People
This is Marketing
Deep Work
Influence
Think and Grow Rich
Laws of Marketing
The Psychology of Selling
Start With Why
Blue Ocean Strategy
The E-Myth Revisited
Thank You Economy

Next up, I recommend audiobooks. Unless you like to curl up with a book before you drift off to sleep each night, audiobooks are great because you can listen most anytime using your phone AND you can speed them up (I prefer 1.5 as a standard). 

Here's a huge tip: If you don't like the book in the first quarter, STOP reading it! Even some of the classics can be a chore to get through. Don't do it! If it's not resonating for you, punt! I promise not to judge.

Also, on that same note, if things start sounding repetitive, stop reading. Just because a book is great doesn't mean the author didn't run out of material two-thirds of the way in and started regurgitating. That's fine; just hop to the end. It's your book. 

That also brings up a great point. While I approve of a nice home or digital library of business books, you don't have to own them all. Start at the library and get 'em for free, including the audiobooks. Yes, I have an Audible account and an Audiobooks.com account, along with others, but I only buy what I can't find for free. And with Audible, if you don't like it, you can exchange it. That's a pretty fair deal!

Now, let's get back to the repetitive reading theme I started with. 

For most books, I don't need to reread them. I might pick up a summary as a refresher, but I don't need to invest another four more hours...except with Seth Godin books.

Seth is a successful entrepreneur and business book-writing legend. His writing style is short, punchy, and a lot like a series of blog posts than a traditional book. This is perfect for me because I like bite-sized nuggets to chew on, try out and then move to another.

He has SO many great ones, but the latest one I'm reading (again) is This is Marketing. I actually think this book was created from a series of posts or emails that he sort of compiled into themes. It totally works, and like most of his books, you can read, stop, test, read some more, rinse, and repeat. 

The bottom line, my business-owning entrepreneurial friend, is that you need to stay in the game...always. Business books are a great way to do this if you're not fond of podcasts, webinars, or YouTube videos. 

I like to consume them all in moderation, but my phone is always with me, so that means I always have a book or three to pull up and keep me company while I'm in traffic (or anytime I'm in the car)....at the gym...or grocery shopping...or in line waiting anywhere.

Your Action Item for today is to get started with a book on business... Spend 30 minutes or so each day listening or reading something good, and in a year's time, you'll have that MBA you've always wanted and a successful business as your diploma.

Have a great week!