Rise of the Reader with Nick Hutchison
Books, podcasts, and audiobooks can completely change your life. But not all methods for consuming the information are created equal. Have you ever considered how you can maximize the impact of the information you wish to receive from your books and podcasts?
In this episode, Matt sits down with Nick Hutchison, author of 'Rise of the Reader' and discusses how to get the most out of the time you spend reading books and learning from podcasts and audiobooks. Learn about effective note-taking, SMART intention setting, and the transformative power of accountability groups.
Here are some power takeaways from today’s conversation:
Setting intentions before reading
Taking action on the intention through effective note-taking
Strategies for effective reading and implementation
Nick’s book recommendations and favorite quotes
The power of accountability groups
[19:02] Setting Intentions and Taking Action
It's important to be clear on why you are reading a particular book and what you hope to get out of it. Intentions should be specific, measurable, attainable, relevant and time-bound (SMART). Write your specific intention down, such as "Find two strategies to improve my communication skills from this book by next Friday." This makes the goal clear. Having a strong intention and "why" behind it leads to greater retention and follow through on applying what you learn. Vague intentions like "learn something new" won't lead to clear action. Write your intention on the inside cover to stay focused. Also, be open to surprises as well because your understanding and goals may evolve as you read, leading to unexpected insights or applications.
[23:21] Effective Reading and Implementation
Avoid multitasking when reading a book. Reading, taking notes, and implementing those notes are separate activities that shouldn't be combined. During your reading session, mark points you want to revisit or note down, but keep reading. Afterward, rewrite those notes, focusing on those that can help fulfill your reading intention. Remember, repetition leads to retention, and retention prompts action, making it more likely for you to act on these rewritten notes. You can use platforms like Evernote, your phone's notes section, or a physical notebook for this purpose. Once the book is finished, review all your notes and apply the 80/20 principle. Identify the 20% of notes most likely to bring about the desired behavioral change.
[32:33] The Power of Accountability Groups
Forming an accountability group with motivated individuals is a powerful strategy for turning information into action. This was inspired by Darren Hardy's The Compound Effect, advocating for tracking weekly activities. If a book provides a strategy to improve communication, set a goal and track its implementation, discussing progress with the group. The group then offers reminders, suggestions, and celebrates successes, embodying the idea that personal growth is influenced by our closest peers. This collective approach to reading and implementing strategies fosters mutual growth and fresh perspectives.
Notable quotes:
[24:04] Repetition leads to retention, retention leads to action. [24:16]
Resources Mentioned:
Nick’s book: Rise of the Reader
Amplify Your Influence by Rene Rodriguez
Unlimited Memory by Kevin Horsley
Limitless by Jim Kwik
The Monk Who Sold His Ferrari by Robin Sharma
The Miracle Morning by Hal Elrod
The Compound Effect by Darren Hardy
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About the Guest
Nick Hutchison is the founder of BookThinkers, a digital marketing agency that serves authors. He discovered personal development books at age 20 and used them to improve every aspect of his life. Now he helps millions of readers apply what they learn from books to rise to their full potential.
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