Information is crucial when looking to improve or speed up a project.
But as with experience, information alone is not enough.
What makes the difference is our reflection.
The problem with information. We consume a lot and retain little. And when we try to use it again, we can’t find it.
And it’s not getting any better. The sources are multiplying.
Books, articles, newsletters, PDF documents, videos, paper…
I use technology moderately
We (sometimes) underestimate the complexity it brings to our lives.
And since it’s constantly improving, if we’re not careful, we’ll keep changing it, even if we don’t need to.
I’m slow at selection and usually stay with the solution for a long time. (here I share 5 tools I’ve been using for years)
Recently(in 2021, I told you I was slow 😀), I added Readwise* to speed up my projects by using the information I consume better.
*Readwise doesn’t have a referral program yet, but as I understand it, you go from a 30-day to a 60-day trial by using the link.
Accelerate your projects with Readwise: Interact with information and find it easily afterward.
I read an average of 2 to 5 books a month, dozens of articles and newsletters, PDFs, and videos.
When I’m interested in something, I take notes.
Whether I’m reading an article on my browser, a book on my Kindle or a PDF, Readwise lets me highlight, take notes, and organize my ideas with labels.
Then, it gathers my content and exports it to Evernote (Readwise, can ship to most note-taking devices).
What I particularly like.
- On the web. I can read directly in my browser, highlight, and take notes. The article will then be centralized in Readwise.
- On my Kindle. All my highlights and notes will be grouped in Readwise.
- For a PDF document. A format that is often difficult to manage. I can import it into the tool. Read and then find all my highlights and notes.
- And even for a video. I can take notes using the script Readwise has created.
Accelerate your projects with Readwise: read efficiently and when you want to
You’re finalizing a critical analysis, and your boss sends you an interesting article. The urge is strong to take a break to read and not forget it.
Not anymore with Readwise: with one click, my document is saved in the tool.
I’ve created automation in my inbox (Google Mail) where newsletters from my favorite creators go directly into Readwise. The tool also creates a personalized email address that you can use to subscribe to your favorite newsletters.
When I decide to read, I know I’ll find everything in Readwise.
An exciting article often includes links to other sources. I love this way of learning. But, like you, I don’t always (even being FI 😀 ) have the time to get into long reads.
Here too, Readwise helps me by offering to open the link or save it directly in the tool.
Accelerate your projects with Readwise: retention, reflection, and deep work.
Retention
All those notes, quotations, facts we’d like to keep in our heads. A simple function (which I’ve recently started using again). Review 6 highlights taken at random from all my notes
All my highlights since 2010. Readwise
retrieved my data from my Kindle.
I like to do it in the morning. It inspires my writing and helps me retain information by using the principle of “Spaced Repetition.”
Deep work
Suppose you want to write a report on the impact of AI on your product. Or learn about an important subject that will help you advance one of your projects.
You’ve collected and read dozens of articles on the subject.
You open Readwise, filter with your labels, and find all the items with associated highlights and notes.
In this screenshot, you can see the C1X label. For those who read last week‘s newsletter, I explained that I’m getting back into German. And since I don’t do things by halves (at least on paper 😀 ), I’m toying with the idea of going from B1.2 to C1 in German by 2024.
Conclusion
“Contrary to popular belief, my experience has shown me that the people who are exceptionally good in business aren’t so because of what they know but because of their insatiable need to know more”
Michael E. Gerber
Passive consumption distracts and wastes time.
Intentional consumption helps us grow and accelerates our essential projects.
In the first, we’re frustrated; in the second, inspired.
Readwise is a software I’m happy to add to my little list of official tools.
Try it out (2 months free with this link) to see if it can help you too.
If you liked this article, you’ll love my newsletter in English and French. Join a community of ambitious readers who want to succeed in their careers while enjoying their lives. Sign up here and receive it every Wednesday morning directly in your mailbox.
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PS: Whenever you’re ready, here are 2 more ways I can help you accelerate your growth through coaching:
- You’re ambitious: you’ve already achieved a lot. And you intend to continue. But this time, you want to do it while enjoying the important things in your life. Curious? Click here.
- You lead a team: you know that a slight improvement in your leadership can significantly impact the team’s results and, therefore, your career. I was trained and certified by the world’s first executive coach, Marshall Goldsmith. I accompany you in your project and guarantee the result. You only pay me if you succeed. Curious? Let’s connect for a free call and see if we can work together
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