I was recently asked by a coaching client - "What books should I be reading to be more successful?"

Of course, there are hundreds of great books and I can recommend many that would be valuable to have as a knowledge base.... but books alone aren't the answer. In fact, for many, books and other content such as websites, blogs, YouTube videos, etc...often become an addiction and escape from what really matters - taking action. 

Yes, we're back to that. But it's a very important topic and realization many have to make. 

The real value of books
Books are only as valuable as the knowledge you take from them to propel you to take the next action. The should be seen as a means to an end, that being the achievement of whatever goal or milestone they are trying to achieve. 

Books are neither good nor bad...they're just simply a step in the info to wisdom path we must consciously make sure we're on. 

What do I mean? 
Think of it this way. Our goal as professionals and human beings on this planet is to live with purpose. That purpose can be most anything that elevates us and in the process helps others. 
Books provide lots of information we can use toward that end, be it financial rewards, healthier living, or even spiritual enlightenment.
When you read books you should see them as information that must be processed in your mind and turned into knowledge that is actionable. Knowledge that is acted upon becomes experience. Experience over time becomes wisdom. This is the learning process and path you should follow if you're goal is to achieve anything worthy in life. 

INFORMATION --> KNOWLEDGE --> EXPERIENCE --> WISDOM

INFORMATION acquired toward a purpose becomes KNOWLEDGE, which when acted upon become EXPERIENCE, and over time experiences accumulate into WISDOM.

So what's the problem with reading?
Reading for the sake of gathering loads of information can become a crutch and an excuse to not act or apply your learning. For many, it's a form of procrastination. If this is you, you need to stop reading for the sake of reading and start being very selective about it and what you want to get from it. 

How I read books
When I read books my aim is simply to get 1-3 nuggets of knowledge that I can apply to my most urgent need or project. I could get that from simply reading the table of contents, or from a single chapter, or through reading the book in it's entirety. This does require clarity about what your goal is and what you want to get out of the book.
So always start with asking yourself -

• "Why am I reading this book?"
• "What goal or task am I trying to accomplish? or
• "What barrier am I trying to get past?"
• "Is this book the best resources to find my answer?" 
  ​and finally - 
• "Am I prepared to apply what I learn by reading this?"

These questions will get you focused on your goal and help you target your reading to only what's essential toward that goal. 

Alright...with all this in mind let me know what you're reading now, what problem you're trying to solve, and how your current read will help you do that. I'll look for your comments below! 

Much success,

Coach Baez 



  

How to know you’re seriously being considered for the job, or not
Although it’s not easy to tell in most cases, even if you think the interview went well, or poorly, there are some indicators you can look out for. Here are just a few:

1. Checking References – this is generally the last step in the hiring process, so if they’re spending the time and energy to check yours, you’re in the final stretch.
2. They extend the interview – if they seem to want to learn more about you, that’s a very good sign you’re a top candidate. Now, this isn’t the same as the interview taking longer because your answers are long winded, or they just didn’t allot enough time given the questions.
3. They introduce you to the hiring manager – if you don’t get to meet your potential manager in the interview process, you’re probably not a top candidate just yet, unless you get a follow-up meeting of course.
4. They offer to show you around and meet the team – this is a very good sign they’re interested, as long as they introduce you to key players. If it’s a basic tour of the office, that might be standard procedure for them.
5. They ask about the competition or your timeline for deciding on a position – if they’re interested they’ll ask this to weigh their competitors and their ability to keep interviewing without losing you as an option.
6. They ask personal questions about your personal life, goals, and hobbies – this is a good sign they’re trying to determine if you’d fit in with their staff and culture, but they’re imagining you as part of their team.
7. A vague or specific date for letting you know – if it’s vague, it’s less likely you’re a top candidate. But if they offer a date and seem concerned, or even ask you when you need to know by, there’s a very good chance you’re in the running.
8. A shorter than expected interview or no follow-up questions – in many cases this is an indication that they don’t think you’re a good fit or that they already have a favorite candidate in mind, and you’re not it.
9. You notice positive body language – lots of agreement, nods, smiles, good eye contact, are all signs that they approve of you and see you as a good candidate.
10. They negotiate – if they’re talking salary and benefits, there’s a good chance you’re being offered the job with the contingency of those options. 

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