I pretty much love the way I am progressing in my goal of reading books this year. This year was the first time I had ever intentionally sat down to read a novel, and I have already finished two novels this year. I used to be the kind of person who couldn't read past the middle page of a novel, even after being given six months to finish the book. I hated reading, but now I am beginning to appreciate it.
This year, I have finished reading two books: "Atomic Habits" and "The Richest Man in Babylon." I don't have the books with me presently as I left them at school. The next two books I plan to read are "How to Win Friends and Influence People" by Dale Carnegie and "The 48 Laws of Power" by Robert Greene. I will be reading the book by Dale Carnegie first before moving to the one by Robert Greene.
One thing I have learned from reading these books is to take notes of the lessons they teach. I made the mistake of reading "Atomic Habits" without taking notes, so I will need to go over that book again, this time with the aim of taking notes. But from what I have read in the book, I can remember the following points:
- To build a habit, you need to make it obvious, attractive, easy, and satisfying.
- A 1% change in your habit can lead to great results.
The book talked more than these points, but these are the things I can remember for now.
For the second book I read, "The Richest Man in Babylon," I had trouble reading and understanding the book at first with the old English style of writing and the use of "thy," "thee," "canst," "dost," etc. I am not used to this type of poetic English, but as I read it, I began to grasp it. I really enjoyed this book, and I took notes as I read it. I enjoyed this book more than "Atomic Habits" because of the stories it told about people and how one can easily relate to them.
"The Richest Man in Babylon" contains the best financial advice you could get from anywhere, and it talks about how to attract wealth (gold, which is the term used in the book), what causes one to go broke, and how one can attract good luck. Below are the top lessons I can remember from the book:
- Always save one-tenth of your earnings to keep and the other nine-tenths for your expenditures.
- Gratification is important, so spend on things that you need and budget your expenses so that there will be enough to invest and grow your wealth.
- It is important that you give your best to your work; work hard and make it something you enjoy.
- Don't be deceived by people who offer unrealistic earnings for investing. They are after your money.
- Don't go into any business you have no knowledge about, always make your research and meet someone who is specialized in it, seek advice from them before starting such business.
- A man who is diligent in his work would find the true definition of luck, not one who dreams and gambles in hopes for luck to make him rich.
- To attract luck, it is important to take advantage of opportunities, accept opportunities, and don't procrastinate on them.
- Procrastination is the thief of success and hinders luck.
- Never lend money to someone who does not have means to pay up or without a good plan to use the money.
Make your home a means of income. - Your future is important; save and invest for your old age, as you would not be able to work as fervently as when you were young.
- It is important to let your money work for you. Put your money to work, and let its returns work for you.
- Wealth is made by accumulation and not by expedition
- The more you learn, the more you earn. Your skills are an important factor in earning more. What skills can you offer to earn a living?
With the way I enjoyed reading this book, I am definitely going to read it again and again until every piece of advice and instruction in it becomes part of me.
So what about you? What book are you reading at the moment?
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We are together in this ooo. I decided that I would be intentional about reading books this year and I am loving the progress so far. I read The Richest Man in Babylon in December last year and that was when I started taking savings seriously. I always keep this in mind: 10% of what I earn is mine to keep and it has been helping me so far. That book is so rich and great.
I moved on the How to Win Friends and Influence People... Omo! there were things I learnt and understood on how to win people even in an argument, how to make someone succumb to what you need and the likes. Though I read the soft copy, I will make sure to get it in hard copy to read again.
I am reading Atomic Habits presently and this book made me start reading a novel after my morning devotion and in this way, I don´t miss reading it. I am really enjoying those points and jotting them down. All you have summarized are what I have come across. All thanks to this book, I know what Habit Stacking, Temptation Bundling, and The four laws of behaviour change which are; make it obvious, attractive, easy and satisfying.. This is so interesting and I am recommending it to whoever hasn´t read it.
Now, what is on my mind after that which I bought alongside is the Confident Woman by Joyce Meyer.
This year ehn,, I will be so intentional in reading books and I discover the more I read, the more I get enlightened.
Sorry for the late reply! I am presently reading how to win friends, and I must tell you, I am enjoying the stories, examples and points they were giving.
I am taking notes on each point to see how I can personalize them.
Atomic habit is a really good book which I definitely have to read again to get it to memory.
The Confident Woman sounds familiar and interesting. Would be great if you write some about it when you read it and especially other books you read too.
As in ehn... The author tried with relating with real stories of those in the past and it makes the book more interesting and knowledgeable to read.
Yea... I will definitely write about this since it's for my gender 😎😎
Thanks for replying back.
I am currently reading ‘Eat that frog’ by Brian Tracy. It teaches on how to end procrastination and become more productive. It is a really nice book.
I read ‘the alchemist’ two days ago. You can’t believe that I was glued to that book that I finished it in less than 24hours😂. It is a book by Paulo coelho and that book is so so so so amazing, I will definitely read it
again. You should read it too😊
You are doing well by developing interest in, and reading books. They will surely add so much to you positively. It is a very good thing to read, and I am so glad that you are finding pleasure in doing so. Great secrets are embedded in books, have fun discovering them!😊
Yeah great secrets are written in books, what's your left is to learn to implement those secrets in our lives and live by them.
Damn you finish a book in two days, that's massive. I hope you took notes as you read through them...
Not in two days o, less than 24 hours🌝🌝😌😌, and yes, I took notes with the help on an highlighter.
I've read the Alchemist like 3 times, and I'll still read it again one of these days. Paulo Coelho is an amazing writer. His style of writing is unique and that's one thing I enjoy about his books.
You should check out some of his other books like "Veronika decides to die" and "By the River Piedra I Sat Down and Wept". I'm sure you'd find them interesting as well.
And I'm also currently reading "Eat that Frog" as well. It's taking me longer than I expected. Perhaps I should come and take tips on how to finish books in two days from you. Help me abeg. 🤲🥲
He is indeed an amazing writer and I’m definitely going to try out the ones you just recommended. Absolutely sure they would be great reads as well☺️.
Lol, the fact that ‘the alchemist’ tells a really interesting story makes it more engaging than other self help books. ‘Eat that frog’ is taking me longer than I expected too🥲, but I am certain I will finish it before the week runs out. Make sure you finish it soon as well, it will be funny if you procrastinate on a book that is supposed to help you conquer procrastination😂😂.
The book by Robert Greene is quite interesting. Controversial, yes, but interesting still. I do not really agree with some of the concepts of the book, but all in all, I believe it's a great book. Carnegie's is a very good one all-round. I'm sure you'll enjoy it.
Also used to make the mistake of not taking down notes when reading non-fictional books. The note taking even helps you to better understand some concepts of the book. Practicing some of the lessons as you get introduced to them is also important.
One day sha, I know God will help me to be as invested in books as you are. Amen. 🤲
Welldone chief.
No dey whine me brother! You are more invested in books than me 😂.. you brought me into this world now..
Emi ke?! 🙄😅😂
I be your boy for this matter o, abeg. 🤲
Why do I think I am now the only one who haven't come on board in reading novels. I have been like you Star, I don't like reading anything called novel but recently, I started conceiving the idea but yet to take full action.
Your post have motivated me to start already, imagine all the lessons this book teaches especially the finance book. I have gotten value already from the nice review you did
Thanks for it👌
I should start reading one and when I do, I will let you know.....here on hive
Thanks for the push via this means
Yeah, the first thing you need to do is changing the mindset of not looking to read books. That's the one thing that hindered me from reading. Then if you can try to read at least 5 pages a day, you would see you would enjoy it and would begin to read more pages per day.
Wow
Thanks for the heads up 👍
Asides your getting closer to your target, I really love your book selection... They are really good and nice books that will really add value to someone's life
All the very best man
I like self-help books, especially in finance. Hence my selection, although I pick books my friends refer me to.
Those are really great picks
Goodluck buddy
Wow same here I am trying hard to improve my knowledge bank because no knowledge is absolutely a waste, if you don't make use of it now, You will some day.
Thanks for sharing this
Na him be say I get plenty people way dey like me. Even as a literature student, I still find it difficult to read books.
Thanks for sharing.
Smiles yeah, but I am writing to build the interest in reading now.
Wow! You really learned a lot from those two books.
I am interested for the another book you are about to read, the one that talks about how to won friends and influence people. This is something interesting. Hopefully you can finish it and share some thoughts with us soon.
Thanks for sharing this to us @starstrings01