You should read more

Charlie Munger was one of my heroes. 

Here’s a couple of my favorite quotes:

• “If you mix the mathematics of the chain letter or the Ponzi scheme with some legitimate development like the development of the internet, you are mixing something which is wretched or irrational or has bad consequences with something that has very good consequences. But you know, if you mix raisins with turds, they’re still turds.”

• “Competency is a relative concept. ... What I needed to get ahead was to compete against idiots. And luckily there’s a large supply.”

• “I did not intend to get rich. I wanted to get independent. I just overshot.”

Witty and succinct. The perfect combo. 

But this my absolute favorite quote:

Charlie knew that self education is life-changing.

It certainly changed my life. 

I read my first non-fiction book (besides the Bible) when I was 22. It was the “4 Hour Body” by Tim Ferriss. 

I was always a huge reader. When I was a kid, it was nothing to read a 1,000-page fiction book over the course of a couple days.

But this was different. The combination of actionable tips and succinct, witty writing did something to my brain.

And I’ve never been the same.

I used Tim’s ideas and recommendations to:

• Automate the backend of my home security business with 30+ customers

• Get life-shaping mentorships with CEOs using book recommendations

• Move 10+ hours away from my hometown

Reading is also a huge reason I love X so much. 

Most of the people I connect with on there are also readers. 

It’s way harder to find a dense mass of humanity like that IRL that read as much as Money X. It’s awesome, and has inspired me to read more.

If your circle doesn’t read, find a new circle.

I’ll leave you with some tips I’ve learned for reading:

• Don’t read to finish a book. Find insights. Start more books. Quit most of them. 

• If you find a book that is good, go to the references in the back. Look at 3 star reviews for a mediocre book for references to a better book.

• Once you find and note the novel idea (from Dan Koe):

• Contemplate an idea you find in a book. How does it relate to your life? Apply it to your goals. How can the idea make your mind, body, or business better? 

• Rephrase book ideas from your perspective.

• 1 chapter = 1 action: At the end of every chapter, write down the action you are going to take before moving on to the next chapter. Make it about knowledge application, not knowledge acquisition.

Get some knowledge,

Swanagan

P.S., here is my most recent book haul:

What’s yours?