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Most successful engineers share the same handful of things in common:
- They don’t waste time
- They focus on one goal at the time
- They have mentors and coaches to guide them
- They have mastered one (or multiple) valuable skills
- Etc.
But in engineering…
I have noticed that the most successful people have this one habit in common:
They Read a lot
Implement these practices, and you will be ahead of 95% of engineers:
Practice 1: Take Side Notes
The goal is to give your brain a second chance to learn the topic.
When I am reading, my mind tends to wander with random thoughts that make me lose focus.
By not only writing out my thoughts but also questions and comments on the book, I am engaging more deeply with the book.
Soon you’ll realize that taking notes not only helps you to concentrate but also to remember what you read.
I use a combination of Readwise, Kindle, and Notion to get this done.
Check Readwise here: https://www.luisfelipeduque.com/readwise and get a free 30-day trial.
Practice 2: Finish Every book you Read
This does not meet you should read a lousy book cover to cover, instead, be more selective about the books you read.
Bill Gates has this rule so he can ensure there is value in every book he consumes.
Use tools like Shortform to read book notes before diving into the entire book.
Go to https://www.shortform.com/luis and get 5 days of unlimited access to thousands of book summaries and a 20% discounted annual subscription.
Practice 3: Read for at least one hour at a time
I thought this was impossible with my current routine, but then I looked at the time I spent on social media or some other meaningless tasks.
I have set a goal to start the day reading.
Some days I read for one hour, other days for 15 min; the point is to be intentional and stick to the reading goal every day.
I like reading in the morning because it is the quietest time in my house and lets me focus for an extended time.
Do you have other practices that help you read more?
❤️ This Week’s Favorites
📚 Reading –
Think Like a Rocket Scientist: Simple Strategies You Can Use to Make Giant Leaps in Work and Life: I just started reading this book last week, but I love it so far. It is a great combination of space knowledge and application to work and life. The author gives great examples and guides you through the challenges he has also faced.
⚙️ Tools –
Notion: I have talked a ton about Notion, but I feel like I have been rediscovering how to use it in the past few weeks. I have made better use of it by simplifying the process and making the most of its new features. Would you like me to create more Notion content?
🔗 Resources –
M1 Finance:* Investing in your future should be high on your priority list. With M1, you have a custom and intuitive investing platform to meet your needs. Even if you are new to investment, their custom “Pies” will get you started. As an Engineering our Future listener, you receive $30 dollars to invest when you fund your account with $100. Start investing in your future now.
🤔 Pondering –
Quit the wrong stuff. Stick with the right stuff. Have the guts to do one or the other.
From The Dip: A Little Book That Teaches You When to Quit (and When to Stick) by Seth Godin resurfaced using Readwise
*Sponsored
