10 Mental models that will make you a better reader: 1) Lindy...
Alex & Books 📚@AlexAndBooks_
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Mar 31, 2024
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10 Mental models that will make you a better reader:
1) Lindy Effect 🏛️
Read more old books–the longer a book has been around, the longer it will stick around.
A book that has been useful for the past 80 years will be useful for the next 80.
1) Lindy Effect 🏛️
Read more old books–the longer a book has been around, the longer it will stick around.
A book that has been useful for the past 80 years will be useful for the next 80.
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2) Anti-Library 📚
An anti-library is a collection of books you haven't read.
Your anti-library serves as a reminder that no matter how well-read you are, there is always more to learn.
It keeps you intellectually humble and curious.
An anti-library is a collection of books you haven't read.
Your anti-library serves as a reminder that no matter how well-read you are, there is always more to learn.
It keeps you intellectually humble and curious.
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3) Just-in-Time Learning ⏰
When selecting a book, pick one with Just-In-Time info instead of Just-In-Case info:
• Just-In-Time → Useful info that can be applied today
• Just-In-Case → Useful info but won't be applied until the far future
When selecting a book, pick one with Just-In-Time info instead of Just-In-Case info:
• Just-In-Time → Useful info that can be applied today
• Just-In-Case → Useful info but won't be applied until the far future
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4) Paradox of Choice 🤔
There are 150 million books out there, so it's impossible to sort through all of them.
Instead start the book you think you'll enjoy and if it's not a fit after a few chapters, quit it and pick up a new one.
There are 150 million books out there, so it's impossible to sort through all of them.
Instead start the book you think you'll enjoy and if it's not a fit after a few chapters, quit it and pick up a new one.
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5) Pareto Principle 💎
Every industry has a 'bible' book that will teach you 80% of what you need to know about it with just one book.
Seek out your industry's bible to get 80% of the results with just 20% of the effort.
Every industry has a 'bible' book that will teach you 80% of what you need to know about it with just one book.
Seek out your industry's bible to get 80% of the results with just 20% of the effort.
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6) Opportunity Cost
Life is too short to spend it reading bad books.
Every minute you spend trying to power through a boring or mediocre book is a minute less spent reading an amazing one.
Quit boring books to make room for brilliant ones.
Life is too short to spend it reading bad books.
Every minute you spend trying to power through a boring or mediocre book is a minute less spent reading an amazing one.
Quit boring books to make room for brilliant ones.
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7) Diversification 🔀
Take a break from reading bestsellers or classic books and pick up something most people haven't read.
Author Haruki Murakami said it best:
“If you only read the books that everyone else is reading, you can only think what everyone else is thinking.”
Take a break from reading bestsellers or classic books and pick up something most people haven't read.
Author Haruki Murakami said it best:
“If you only read the books that everyone else is reading, you can only think what everyone else is thinking.”
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8) Follow the Footnotes 👣
One of the best ways to find a great book is by looking at the footnotes of your favorite book.
Books are built upon one another so see which book the author references often.
Chances are they found a lot of value from that book and you will too.
One of the best ways to find a great book is by looking at the footnotes of your favorite book.
Books are built upon one another so see which book the author references often.
Chances are they found a lot of value from that book and you will too.
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9) Podcast Strategy 🎙️
If you loved a 2-3 hour podcast episode with an author, chances are you'll enjoy their book.
Authors tend to do podcasts when they have a new book out.
So buy their new book to dive deeper into the subject they talked about on the podcast.
If you loved a 2-3 hour podcast episode with an author, chances are you'll enjoy their book.
Authors tend to do podcasts when they have a new book out.
So buy their new book to dive deeper into the subject they talked about on the podcast.
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10) Rule of 3 🗣️
If 3 people you respect:
-boss
-mentor
-favorite podcaster
-etc
all recommend the same book, it's a strong signal that the book is worth reading and you'll enjoy it.
If 3 people you respect:
-boss
-mentor
-favorite podcaster
-etc
all recommend the same book, it's a strong signal that the book is worth reading and you'll enjoy it.
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Shoutout to @mntlmodels for creating these visuals.
Check out his page for more mental models.
Check out his page for more mental models.
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PS: If you enjoyed this post and are looking for
-awesome book recommendations
-insightful book summaries
-tips to read more books
Join 40,000+ readers here: alexandbooks.beehiiv.com/subscribe
-awesome book recommendations
-insightful book summaries
-tips to read more books
Join 40,000+ readers here: alexandbooks.beehiiv.com/subscribe
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