How To Read Self-Improvement Books The Correct Way

You may have wondered if you are reading self-improvement books the correct way. Whether you’ve read one book, or one thousand, I think the points in this post are important for readers of all experience levels to reflect upon. In this post, I will highlight some vital points on how to read self-improvement books the correct way.

In life, you never want to stop learning. The moment you stop learning. You’re not truly living. Reading self-improvement books shows the type of person you are. Someone who wants to be better, even just a little each day. There is value to self-improvement books that goes unnoticed by many. They are special because people are sharing the techniques they’ve honed throughout their lives. Not all of it will be useful to you. But it’s about finding the right books for you and taking the advice that helps you move forward in the direction you want.

1. You Don’t Have To Start From The Beginning

When you first pick up the book it is important to identify the key sections. Self-improvement books often have specific chapters dedicated to certain areas of personal growth. If you skim the table of contents, you can see how the book will flow, so you know what to expect.

You can then identify or focus on areas of immediate need or your interests, allowing for a more efficient read. You can help yourself by looking at other people’s reviews and recommendations for the book’s most important chapters. This can guide you to prioritize those areas so that you can read with a specific goal. It is easier to start with one of these chapters and build from there.

Starting in the middle somewhere stops that feeling of being overwhelmed that you have barely begun reading. Tackling smaller, more relevant sections makes you feel more productive. I often find that when I read from the beginning of a book (Which I sometimes do), I take longer to get through it and sometimes feel like I’m not progressing.

Make a personalized plan for your reading. Adapting your learning style so your learning process is smoother is okay.

2. Reading Slower

It really depends on what you want from the book. You can read it like a normal book and it will still provide you with value or you can take your time. If you are trying to improve and take in the knowledge as efficiently as possible, then spending your time reading slowly is vital.

In this way, you can understand each word being said, enabling deeper comprehension. Rushing through will lead to missing nuanced insights or useful points being made.

If you read something that really resonates, it is absolutely fine to highlight it, jot it down on a separate piece of paper, or annotate the book with what you thought about it.

3. Taking Time To Analyze

Another useful tip is to practice mindfulness while reading. Pay attention to your thoughts and feelings as you engage with the text. The act of being present enhances your understanding and connection to the material. Feel free to discuss what you’re learning with others. Talking about the material can enable you to see different people’s perspectives (I often discuss what I’ve read with my brother and find it highly informative. He usually always gives me a different perspective).

4. You’re On a Journey, Things Don’t Change Overnight

What you have to realize, is that personal growth isn’t something that changes overnight, it’s a gradual process. Reading slowly requires more patience, but it ensures you are truly grasping the material and will be able to implement it effectively and in the right situations. Persistence is key in this approach and leads to more sustainable and meaningful improvement. I think persistence is important in all positive things in life. For example, exercise, eating healthily, or working towards your goals. They all require consistency and discipline to achieve the best result.

5. Taking What You Need

You have to remember, that no one is forcing you to do anything. You can set that book down and come back to it any time. So if you have specific knowledge you want to gain from that book. Then go ahead and take it. Find the chapter that most interests you, grab a coffee and enjoy.

At the end of the day, not all of the content will be relevant to you and your needs. But some of it might. So read those parts that are useful to you and can assist you in your journey. Consider what methods you can integrate with your daily life, and what concepts fit into your daily routine. Think about the situations or challenges that the advice can be applied. This not only makes it an easier read but also easier for you to remember.

6. It’s Okay To Stop Reading

Whether you’ve read one chapter or five. I think it’s completely okay to stop reading if you don’t feel like you’re locked in and absorbing the information. Your time is important. There is no point wasting your own time, come back to it later that day or another day.

If you’ve tried reading the same book before and the same thing keeps happening, don’t force yourself (I’ve tried it before and it doesn’t work. I’ve once read three-quarters of a book before, and every time I picked it up, I just had to stop because it was no longer enjoyable for me).

Someone might have recommended you a book and has been raving about it. But when you read it, it just doesn’t click with you. This can happen (It’s happened to me plenty of times). You can give it another shot, another time, or give it to someone else who might benefit. Maybe it didn’t work for you, but it could for them.

7. The Good And The Bad, Understanding The Author’s Intentions

When reading you should be critical. Approach the book with a critical mindset and assess the arguments. At the end of the day, authors are also human, they make mistakes, they say great things, and they also say ungreat things.

Evaluate what’s being said, and consider the context in which the author presents their ideas. This critical analysis will enable you to distinguish between valuable insights and potentially flawed concepts. You don’t have to agree with everything the author is saying. But that doesn’t mean the rest of their work isn’t worth reading.

You also need to evaluate its practicality. It is easy for the author to provide advice which isn’t possible. Some books will provide idealistic or overly simplistic solutions. You must identify whether the suggestions are realistic or only applicable to a unique circumstance. One way is to seek diverse perspectives. Discuss with your friends, family, or fellow readers. Once, you have clarified this, you can selectively integrate what you have learned.

8. Returning To Review The Content

Returning to review the content is a big part of the learning process. Revisiting the book or the summaries you have made for it will help reinforce the concepts and lessons learned, solidifying your understanding and recall. If you continue to review regularly, it will ensure that the insights remain fresh in your mind and you will be more likely to apply them in your everyday life.

Reviewing also allows you to reflect on your progress. Providing the opportunity to assess how much you have grown and what changes you have made in your life, according to the book’s teachings. You can see what works, what doesn’t, and what you still need to do for further improvement.

Returning to the content may also reveal new previously missed insights or make new sections more relevant as you gain a deeper and more comprehensive understanding of the book. Life circumstances and personal goals can evolve over time. So reviewing can allow you to adapt the teachings to your current situation and ensure the advice remains applicable and beneficial.

Want To Start Your Self Improvement Journey?

Check out my post where I discuss 3 books that changed my life.