Hello my friend,
It’s August! I can’t believe it. We all thought 2020 went slowly, but my god has 2021 gone quickly.
The last month has been a wonderful time for reading, and speaking with authors. There is so much to learn and I can’t wait to end the year strong.
One addition to the newsletter for this month (and going forward) is associate links. I’ve always debated whether to add associate links to my newsletter, and I’ve decided to create a library on Notion as a resource for all my followers. You can visit my library here.
Each month we release a podcast to support this newsletter. This podcast is only available for paying subscribers. Click the link below to subscribe and listen.
Read More. Do More.
There is this misconception that readers just read, and don’t take any action. They are passive actors that spend all their time locked away with their faces engrossed in their books. Although this stereotype is true most of the time, I know what reading has done for me over the past 4 years.
When I reflect on my reading over that time, I’ve realised how much reading comes to inspire you to take action. Success means different things to different people. To me it’s making decisions and risks that others aren’t.
Looking back on some of the books that have helped me in this regard I’ve realised that motivation is fleeting, but purpose and vision are lasting.
Take ‘Cant Hurt Me’ by David Goggins.
Although many might consider this to be a motivational book, I believe it’s goes deeper. If you read philosophy and theology you will resonate with his message to a deeper level.
Towards the end of the book he says,
"We are all our own worst haters and doubters because self doubt is a natural reaction to any bold attempt to change your life for the better."
Stories like David’s reinforce the finite nature of life, and inspire you to make the most of each moment. They ask difficult questions of ourselves to whether we are doing enough and giving life everything that it deserves. Too many of us are waiting for things to happen, but few want to be proactive in making positive changes. His book reaffirms the idea that action is not only necessary but demanded.
This is the same with ‘Man’s Search For Meaning’ by Viktor Frankl.
Mortality plays such a critical role in inspiring you to action and this book emphasises that. As my friend Adam Lowenstein says, it’s about ‘reframing’ everything around you to see what the truth is.
Viktor’s story is about finding meaning in life through life’s worst calamities. Only through friction can meaningful action be pursued.
As a Nazi concentration camp survivor and founder of the school of Logotherapy, Frankl has a unique perspective on how to find meaning in life, and produce action.
Stories like Frankl humble you, but also inspire you. They give you perspective and motivation, to push yourself to do more because you appreciate the fragile nature of existence.
This may lead you to wonder, what type of books should I read, to do more This is a good question, but the answer is it depends. For me I find value in personal stories and philosophy.
There is something raw in these two genres that inspires me more than any others. Philosophy gives you the theory, but stories give you the examples. Combining both gives you the tools to actively take your reading and apply it to your life.
Let me leave you with one suggestion I wish I implemented at the start of my journey.
Action is as easy as making a commitment. As humans we tend to wait for the right moment. In some select circumstances, this might be valid. However in most situations we can take a step towards our goals at any time. We just need to take the first step.
As the Chinese proverb goes, "A journey of a thousand miles begins with a single step."
Book Reviews
‘The Alter Ego Effect: The Power of Secret Identities To Transform Your Life’ by Todd Herman
BUY the book here - https://amzn.to/2VW7ESR
‘The Social Instinct: How Cooperation Shaped The World’ by Nichola Raihani
BUY the book here - https://amzn.to/3AH64Dl
‘Daily Rituals: How Great Minds Make Time, Find Inspiration and Get to Work’ by Mason Currey
BUY the book here - https://amzn.to/2Xv4oyv
‘Ultralearning: Accelerate You Career, Master Hard Skills and Outsmart The Competition’ by Scott Young
BUY the book here - https://amzn.to/3yIJs4N
‘Man’s Search For Meaning’ by Viktor Frankl
BUY the book here - https://amzn.to/3xOACRR
‘The Map of Knowledge’ by Violet Moller
BUY the book here - https://amzn.to/3k36cX8
Author Interviews
#36 - Scott Young
What you will learn:
📚 Techniques to become a better learner
📚 What school won’t teach you
📚 How to remember more when reading books
#37 - Violet Moller
What you will learn:
📚 How knowledge spread from 500-1500
📚 The loss of knowledge through conflict
📚 The latinization of Arab knowledge
#38 - Adam Ashton
What you will learn:
📚 How to choose the right book
📚 Assimilating the information from books
📚 Why you should re-read books
#39 - Fiona Buckland
What you will learn:
📚 What thoughtful leadership is
📚 How to manage stress as a leader
📚 Finding your values
#40 - Adam Lowenstein
What you will learn:
📚 Reading challenging books
📚 Enjoying the process
📚 In depth discussion about ‘Amusing Ourselves to Death’
📚 Many book recommendations.
#41 - Tom Rivett-Carnac
What you will learn:
📚 How to be a ‘Stubborn Optimist’.
📚 Our personal responsibility towards climate change.
📚 How to think about climate change differently
Aun’s YouTube Videos
How To Journal For Beginners
4 Must Read Productivity Books
How To Choose The Right Book
How To Finish Any Book
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Thanks for reading!
Aun.