Be careful what you consume.
When I first started getting into entrepreneurship, I started consuming anything and everything I could on the subjects of business and marketing.
I would listen to podcasts and audiobooks, read articles, watch youtube videos, sign up for lead magnets and buy products/programs.
I probably subscribed to thousands of email lists over a few years.
I fell into the “cult” of Clickfunnels and absorbed everything they preached.
It was a lot.
In hindsight, I was addicted.
I spent more time consuming than doing.
This didn’t get me very far.
“Writers write. Runners run. Establish your identity by doing your work.” Seth Godin
The point of this tiny article is to remind you to be careful what you consume.
Like really really careful.
Our minds love information.
We love to learn, it’s part of our DNA.
But we don’t really have a great filter or shut-off valve.
In today’s world, there are more “media companies” producing content than ever.
Content/information IS the product.
Super smart people who have millions of data points understand exactly what works…what gets clicks.
What gets views.
What gets purchased.
Build a strong filter.
Let’s take reading books as an example.
I LOVE reading.
You’re learning from someone who has likely spent a large portion of their like dedicated to a specific craft of subject.
We can learn a lot.
But would you rather skim thousands of books, retain 5-10% and implement 1-5%….
or…
Find 50-100 GREAT books, that create real shifts in your life that you can go back to and read every year or every few years when you need a refresher.
The second is far more effective.
I recently read “Navalmanak” — The Almanack of Naval Ravikant | A guide to wealth and hapiness. It was life-changing and easy to digest.
This book collects and curates Naval’s wisdom from Twitter, Podcasts, and Essays over the past decade. The wisdom of Naval Ravikant, created and edited by Eric Jorgenson, with Illustrations by Jack Butcher, and a Foreword by Tim Ferriss.
It’s one of the only books I’ve read that wasn’t published by the author. The book is free online. Anyone can read it. There is no M.O. other than getting this wisdom out into the world.
I love that.
I want to read books like that!
I want to listen to podcasts like that.
I’m not saying it can’t be attached to a business or a product, but the energy behind it need to be right.
I need to trust the information.
I will read this book every year.
Same with “Way of the Peaceful Warrior: A Book That Changes Lives.”
I’ve already read it 3 times and it’s always a powerful reminder and catalyst for me.
Main takeaways
- Fine 50-100 books that you can re-read yearly
- Build a strong information filter and avoid distractions
- Practice information fasts a few times a year (or more)
- Only consume information from people who are experienced, trustworthy, and authentic
- Don’t just read about riding a bike, get on the bike and ride…
