growth mindset

How to Read a Book by Mortimer J. Adler

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Imagine a world where reading isn’t just passing words on a page, but a thrilling puzzle to be cracked, a conversation to be engaged in, and a treasure trove of knowledge to be unearthed.

This is the world promised by Mortimer J. Adler’s seminal work, “How to Read a Book”.

Here are 10 guiding principles of reading from “How to Read a Book” by Mortimer J. Adler:

Principle One: Active Reading

Imagine reading like a detective, not a spectator. Don’t simply let the words flow past you. Actively engage the text:

What is the author’s main point?

What evidence do they use to support their claims?

Are there any logical fallacies or inconsistencies?

Can I connect this to other things I know?

Take notes on key points, arguments, and questions. Highlight significant passages for later reference.

Principle Two: Purposeful Reading

What drives you to pick up a book? Identify your reason:

Enjoyment: Get lost in a story, laugh, or escape reality.

Information: Learn new facts, gain knowledge on a specific topic.

Understanding: Develop a deeper comprehension of complex ideas or philosophies.

Knowing your purpose guides your reading pace, level of analysis, and whether you annotate or simply absorb the story.

Principle Three: Diversity in Reading

Don’t get stuck in a reading rut! Explore different genres, authors, and topics. Reading a variety of books:

-Expands your knowledge base.

-Challenges your existing perspectives.

-Develops different reading skills for different types of texts.

-Think of it like exercising different muscles to become a well-rounded reader.

Principle Four: Syntopic Reading

Don’t read books in isolation. Look for other books on the same subject and compare and contrast them. This allows you to:

-See different perspectives and interpretations of the topic.

-Identify common themes and arguments across different sources.

-Form a more nuanced and informed understanding of the subject.

-It’s like having a conversation with several experts on the same topic.

Principle Five: Annotation as Memory Enhancement

Treat your books like active learning tools. Underline key passages, write notes in the margins, and even create diagrams to visualize complex ideas. This:

-Reinforces your understanding during and after reading.

-Provides a quick reference point for revisiting key points.

-Creates a personalized study guide for future review.

-Turn your books into active learning resources.

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Book of the Month – August 2022 : Wisdom at Work by Chip Conley

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Wisdom at Work: The Making of a Modern Elder by [Chip Conley]
Experience is making a comeback. Learn how to repurpose your wisdom.

At age 52, after selling the company he founded and ran as CEO for 24 years, rebel boutique hotelier Chip Conley was looking at an open horizon in midlife. Then he received a call from the young founders of Airbnb, asking him to help grow their disruptive start-up into a global hospitality giant. He had the industry experience, but Conley was lacking in the digital fluency of his 20-something colleagues. He didn’t write code, or have an Uber or Lyft app on his phone, was twice the age of the average Airbnb employee, and would be reporting to a CEO young enough to be his son. Conley quickly discovered that while he’d been hired as a teacher and mentor, he was also in many ways a student and intern. What emerged is the secret to thriving as a mid-life worker: learning to marry wisdom and experience with curiosity, a beginner’s mind, and a willingness to evolve, all hallmarks of the “Modern Elder.”

In a world that venerates the new, bright, and shiny, many of us are left feeling invisible, undervalued, and threatened by the “digital natives” nipping at our heels. But Conley argues that experience is on the brink of a comeback. Because at a time when power is shifting younger, companies are finally waking up to the value of the humility, emotional intelligence, and wisdom that come with age. And while digital skills might have only the shelf life of the latest fad or gadget, the human skills that mid-career workers possess–like good judgment, specialized knowledge, and the ability to collaborate and coach – never expire.

Part manifesto and part playbook, Wisdom@Work ignites an urgent conversation about ageism in the workplace, calling on us to treat age as we would other type of diversity. In the process, Conley liberates the term “elder” from the stigma of “elderly,” and inspires us to embrace wisdom as a path to growing whole, not old. Whether you’ve been forced to make a mid-career change, are choosing to work past retirement age, or are struggling to keep up with the millennials rising up the ranks, Wisdom@Work will help you write your next chapter.