The difference between reading and studying a book is not always obvious. We can learn a lot of good information while reading a book only to forget it a few days later. Studying allows us to both read and apply what we learn. I recently listened to a lesson from a writing program I’m in that gave strategies for getting more out of a book. These are my key takeaways from “4 Ways to Read Better” in the Young Writer’s Workshop:

1. Take copious notes and boil them down into a plan. 
   1. Pull everything helpful and important from the book into a separate document.
   2. Organize the list into a step-by-step plan to implement in your writing or whatever you’re learning about.
2. Look for ways to immediately implement the most practical and compelling suggestions.
3. Use books to launch discussions with others.
   1. This forces you to understand the book better and refine your personal applications from the book.
4. Create a study plan for grasping the book.
   1. Read the book multiple times.
   2. Take notes on the book like you would for a textbook.
   3. Read the book slowly chapter by chapter and write down implementation steps as you go.
   4. Create an outline for the book.

You can mix and match these techniques depending on the book and what you’re trying to learn. This method transforms a more passive experience (taking in words) into a more active experience (creating a plan to start now).

What do you want to learn?

Please let me know in the comments below.

See you tomorrow,

Josh