Do you really need to read a lot of books to be wise or successful?
As someone who enjoys reading, I’d say the answer is a resounding no.
Before the internet, books were the primary source for learning things. But now, with the internet, anyone can access more information and knowledge than any book could provide.
In the end, reading is just one way to learn. Some people learn from books. Some people learn from other people. Some people learn from experience. And some learn from their failure. You can’t just count the number of books someone’s read to decide if they’re smart or not.
However, books are still fantastic tools for learning. Authors dedicate their lives to accumulating experiences, learning, and encapsulating their stories and lessons into these books of a few hundred pages that we can consume in just a few sittings.
Reading books is a fantastic way to genuinely understand a subject, especially in an era dominated by short-form content where people tend to seek the essence of ideas rather than deep understanding. Deep learning and comprehensive knowledge are particularly important for nurturing critical thinking.
But simply skimming through books won’t make you wise or successful. Many people finish books without truly grasping the knowledge and lessons within, making it challenging to apply them to their lives and work. That’s why reading numerous books without expanding your mind is a waste of time. Reading is the action; understanding and learning are the keys.
However, we humans are not so good at remembering. We easily forget things, sometimes even right after we have just read. So while you read, it’s important to highlight your favorite sections so you can easily go back to them, use sticky notes for important parts, and summarize key takeaways after finishing a book. When I read a skills book, I always make sure to note down 3 to 5 things that I can put into practice immediately, hoping that at least one will stick. I try to be an active reader rather than a passive one.
Books, or any form of information, provide you with the ideas and knowledge you need. How you use that knowledge is entirely up to you.
