My Solution to Stop Telling Myself to Read More
I’ll be honest: I used to dismiss reading books as wasteful. Then I discovered audiobooks, and everything changed.
Rather than traditional reading, I now consume self-development audiobooks during daily activities like cooking and exercising.
Why Books Matter
Think of books as thoughtfully written summaries of someone’s experiences. Take Extreme Ownership as an example—9 hours and 33 minutes of your attention captures more than 10 years of leadership experience. That’s an incredible investment.
The Audiobook Challenge
My initial struggle was retention. I’d listen to a book and forget most of it within a week. The breakthrough came when I realized accountability matters.
My solution: a personal accountability moment every Sunday. I spend 15 minutes documenting insights from that week’s audiobooks, capturing the value the book has given me. This simple habit transformed passive listening into active learning.
Cost Considerations
Audible memberships cost $14.95 monthly for one premium book, plus access to free content. I frame this as essential self-investment. Most people want improvement but few commit the effort.
Book Recommendations
- Habits & Consistency: Atomic Habits and The Compound Effect
- Leadership: Extreme Ownership and How to Win Friends and Influence People
- Motivation: Can’t Hurt Me by David Goggins
Audiobooks are an accessible pathway to self-development without sacrificing significant time. Give them a try.