I think I’ve read more since I graduated from school than I did during my 16 years of education.
WHAT A FOOL I AM!
I should have taken some advice given to me, by a very wise man, when I was a sophomore in high school. They said, “Blake, how the hell do you think you learn things if you don’t read?” I replied, “I learn better by doing than I do by reading.” I didn’t know better then, but I do now, this is an excuse for lazy people. If you strictly learn by “doing” you are more often than not dependant upon someone else. Someone must be available regurgitate all the glorious information they have already learned. Rendering you completely helpless if no one is able to come to your aid!! Alright that might be a little extreme, since there is this concept of trial and error. However, this method is often time consuming and stressful. Many of us today cannot or are unwilling to put in the amount of effort needed and quit if the first try is unsuccessful. Have we forgotten the old adage “If at first you don’t succeed, try and try again?” Now, I’ll admit I still sometimes resort to this method. I find the fear of the unknown to be sometimes thrilling and love the feeling of accomplishment when you finally get something right. This said, I am still much more comfortable having some sort of guidance prior to experimenting.
ENTER 2009 GOAL – Finish 9 books I have not previously read.
To an avid reader this may seem like weaksauce, however, I will be very pleased if I am able to accomplish this. To get started on the right foot I decided to re-read one of my favorites, The Davinci Code. It won’t count towards my goal, but I consumed it in under a week, even though I already knew the ending. Here are books I already have on the list for 2009 (in no particular order):
Good Calories, Bad Calories – Gary Taubes
150 Healthiest Foods on Earth – Jonny Bowden
Maximum Strength – Eric Cressey
The 4-hour Workweek – Tim Ferris
The Tipping Point – Malcolm Gladwell
Freakonomics – Steven Levitt
The Camel Club – David Baldocci
Talent is Overrated: What Really Separates World-Class Performers from Everybody Else – Geoff Colvin
In Defense of Food – Michael Pollan
WHAT A FOOL I AM!
I should have taken some advice given to me, by a very wise man, when I was a sophomore in high school. They said, “Blake, how the hell do you think you learn things if you don’t read?” I replied, “I learn better by doing than I do by reading.” I didn’t know better then, but I do now, this is an excuse for lazy people. If you strictly learn by “doing” you are more often than not dependant upon someone else. Someone must be available regurgitate all the glorious information they have already learned. Rendering you completely helpless if no one is able to come to your aid!! Alright that might be a little extreme, since there is this concept of trial and error. However, this method is often time consuming and stressful. Many of us today cannot or are unwilling to put in the amount of effort needed and quit if the first try is unsuccessful. Have we forgotten the old adage “If at first you don’t succeed, try and try again?” Now, I’ll admit I still sometimes resort to this method. I find the fear of the unknown to be sometimes thrilling and love the feeling of accomplishment when you finally get something right. This said, I am still much more comfortable having some sort of guidance prior to experimenting.
ENTER 2009 GOAL – Finish 9 books I have not previously read.
To an avid reader this may seem like weaksauce, however, I will be very pleased if I am able to accomplish this. To get started on the right foot I decided to re-read one of my favorites, The Davinci Code. It won’t count towards my goal, but I consumed it in under a week, even though I already knew the ending. Here are books I already have on the list for 2009 (in no particular order):
Good Calories, Bad Calories – Gary Taubes
150 Healthiest Foods on Earth – Jonny Bowden
Maximum Strength – Eric Cressey
The 4-hour Workweek – Tim Ferris
The Tipping Point – Malcolm Gladwell
Freakonomics – Steven Levitt
The Camel Club – David Baldocci
Talent is Overrated: What Really Separates World-Class Performers from Everybody Else – Geoff Colvin
In Defense of Food – Michael Pollan
I'm reading Tim Ferris right now. Haven't decided yet if he's on to something, or if this book is just another way for him to make quick bucks and he's really full of shit. Time will tell.
ReplyDeleteAnywho...add these books to your list if you haven't already read them:
Brave New World - Aldous Huxley
-this is a classic. if you haven't read this, you won't understand half the stuff going on around you.
The Picture of Dorian Gray - Oscar Wilde
-another classic, but for other reasons. i think you'll like it.
The Original BT