I’m not a voracious reader. In fact, my relationship with books has always been… complicated. Every year, I buy more books than I could probably read in a decade. But for the longest time, I never felt like I truly absorbed them. Sure, I’d flip through pages, underline a few lines, and move on to the next book if it didn’t capture my interest. But ask me about the essence of any book I read earlier? My mind would draw a blank.
This year, something shifted. I realized that rushing through books just to finish them wasn’t adding value to my life. So, I made a change. I decided to slow down.
Now, I read differently. I pick up one book, and instead of racing to the last page, I savor each chapter. I read it slowly and deliberately. As I go through the book, I pause to reflect. How does this idea relate to my experiences? How could it shape my decisions? How can I build a personal model from this information?
It’s no longer just about reading. It’s about building. I connect the author’s words to my own life, transforming them into mental models that stick with me long after I’ve closed the book.
This practice has taught me a lot about patient learning. I used to rush through my studies, and now I realize how much time I wasted not truly absorbing what I learned. Alongside reading, I’ve started writing down insights, translating them into action, and reshaping my habits.
Now, when I think about the books I read, they feel alive in my mind. I often revisit ideas or connect them with new ones I encounter.
Now, I try to prioritize clarity of mind above all else. Instead of accumulating disconnected knowledge, I focus on connecting the dots between what I already know. This approach refines my thinking skills, enabling me to make better decisions over time.
Life success is a result of small decisions you make every day.
What you choose to eat, how you spend your time, who you spend it with, what you read, and most importantly, what you consistently think about.”
― Morgan Housel