BFW: Have You Given Up on Reading Nonfiction Books?

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Dear Reader,

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Summary: Have You Given Up on Reading Nonfiction Books?
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Hey there, fellow bookworms! It’s Brain Food Wednesday, issue 194, and today I want to talk about something that’s close to my heart – reading nonfiction books. Now, I’ve always considered myself an avid reader. But there came a time when I questioned the way I was approaching my reading habits. Let me take you on a journey through my reading experiences, discoveries, and the concept of leadership reading that has transformed the way I consume nonfiction literature.

• Save Time and Boost Knowledge: Leadership Reading helps busy professionals efficiently extract valuable insights from nonfiction books, saving time and deepening their knowledge.
• Elevate Your Learning Experience: Avid learners can dive deeper into essential content, making their reading experience more engaging, enlightening, and tailored to their interests.
• Smarter Book Selection: Cautious readers can curate their reading list using tools like the Eisenhower Matrix, ensuring every book adds significant value to their life.
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My Story
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It all began with a personal challenge. When I tragically lost my mother to an unexpected heart attack, my world shattered. To heal and find solace, I embarked on what I called the “read the world” challenge. I immersed myself in books, but as I delved into nonfiction works, something felt amiss. A nagging sense of déjà vu kept creeping in. Haven’t I read this before? Haven’t I read this before? It became apparent that there had to be a better way to approach nonfiction reading.
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So, I dove into extensive research and enrolled in numerous courses to refine my reading techniques. And that’s when the concept of leadership reading, coined by Chris Brady, came into play. While I had been advocating for strategic and selective reading, Brady’s term resonated with me more deeply.
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I’ve made it my mission to share these effective reading strategies with leaders, executives, and book enthusiasts alike. My book, “Leadership Reading: Spilling the Tea on How Top Leaders Read,” is a testament to the power of reading strategically.
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Why It’s Unnecessary to Read Nonfiction Books Cover-to-Cover
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Now, let me share three compelling reasons why reading a nonfiction book cover to cover may not always be the most efficient approach:
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• Word Counts and Filler Content: Traditional publishers often impose word counts on authors, leading to unnecessary additions that don’t contribute significantly to your understanding of the text. This filler content can make the reading experience cumbersome.
• The 80/20 Rule: Pareto’s principle applies to reading nonfiction. You can grasp around 80% of the book’s content by reading just 20% of it. The key is discerning which 20% holds the most value.
• Russell Stauffer’s Discovery: Decades ago, educator Russell Stauffer revealed that only a small fraction of a nonfiction page, roughly 4 to 11%, carries meaningful content. The rest is often context and examples, making it possible to distill the essence of a book with a single sentence.
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Leadership Reading Process
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Enter the Leadership Reading process – a method designed to help senior executives and business owners extract precisely what they need from a nonfiction book without the need to pore over every page. The first step is selecting the right books, whether using the Eisenhower Matrix or another approach.
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But preparation is key. You can prime your mind with brain gym exercises, binaural beats audio, or by entering the alpha brainwave state. Craft a one-sentence purpose for your reading and jot down the questions you want the book to answer. Begin by scanning the Introduction, Preface, and Foreword.
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Then, dive into the Index and Table of Contents. Finally, strategically read the chapters and sections that align with your purpose and questions, taking notes as you go. This method not only maximizes your learning but also minimizes the time investment required.
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Conclusion
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If you’ve ever felt overwhelmed by the prospect of reading nonfiction cover to cover, know that you’re not alone. The concept of leadership reading offers a more strategic and efficient way to consume these valuable resources. So, the next time you pick up a nonfiction book, consider embracing this approach and reap the benefits of smarter, more purposeful reading.
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If you found this article and newsletter informative, please:
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Buy, Rapid Read Revolution: Transform Your Reading in Just 7 Days to learn leadership reading strategies!
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Until Next Week,

Avil Beckford, Founder, The Invisible Mentor & Art of Learning Leadership Academy

​theinvisiblementor.com artoflearningleadershipacademy.com​

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