3 Books I’m Reading Right Now To Get Better At {Topic}

I’ve decided I want to get better at [Topic].

So, here are 3 books I’m reading—specifically to help me:

[Specific Outcome 1]
[Specific Outcome 2]
[Specific Outcome 3]

Book #1: [Title] by [Author Name]

I picked up this book because [Reason].

And so far, my biggest takeaways are [write out 3 takeaways here].

Book #2: [Title] by [Author Name]

This book has taught me a lot about [What].

Some golden nuggets so far:

[Golden Nugget #1]
[Golden Nugget #2]
[Golden Nugget #3]

Book #3: [Title] by [Author Name]

Finally, I’d recommend [Title] to anyone who wants to [Outcome].

This book has taught me a lot about [write out 3 takeaways here].

The 1 Book I’d Recommend To Anyone Who Wants To {Goal}

Over the past [X] years, I have read [X] books on [Topic].

And while I enjoyed many of those books, and learned a lot, there is only 1 book I can say truly had a life-changing impact on me:

[Book Title] by [Author Name].

Some of my biggest takeaways:

[Takeaway #1]
[Takeaway #2]
[Takeaway #3]
[Takeaway #4]
[Takeaway #5]

(Of course, the book goes into detail on all of this. But these are my high-level takeaways.)

So, if you are at all interested in [Topic], I highly suggest keeping a copy of [Book Title] on your desk.

2 Books On {Topic} That Disagree With Each Other (And Why You Should Read Both)

2 of the most famous books on [Topic] say very different things:

Book #1: [Book Title] by [Author Name]
Book #2: [Book Title] by [Author Name]

The question most people ask is: “Well which one should I read?”

My answer is: both!

Because even though they disagree with each other, there is a lot we can learn from both authors and their respective POVs.

Here are some of my biggest takeaways from both

[Book Title #1]

[Takeaway #1]
[Takeaway #2]
[Takeaway #3]

[Book Title #2]

[Takeaway #1]
[Takeaway #2]
[Takeaway #3]

Being able to “hold” these opposing views at the same time is important when stress-testing ideas.

{X} Profound Career Mistakes Everyone (From Intern To Executive) Should Avoid In Their Career

A few [Time] ago, I asked [X] [Niche] leaders one simple question:

“What early career mistake will you never make again?”

What I ended up walking away with was a messy notepad full of notes, a completely new way of seeing the world, and [X] profound mistakes everyone (from intern to executive) should avoid in their career.

Let’s dive in:

Mistake #1: [Mistake1]

Too often, [Role] choose to [WrongDecision].

They [WhyDecision]. They think [Logic]. Only to end up [BadOutcome].

Instead, [Role] should be focused on [RightDecision].

This is what ends up leading to [PositiveOutcome], [PositiveOutcome], and [PositiveOutcome].

Mistake #2: [Mistake2]

A good [Role] can [GoodOutcome].

A bad [Role] can [BadOutcome].

But a legendary [Role] can [GiantOutcome].

Don’t get it confused: a [GoodOutcome] is good, but it’s far from what makes the most difference.

Mistake #3: [Mistake3]

Until you’ve [Milestone], don’t take your eye off the ball.

[”RelevantQuote”].

To this day, I hang this quote up on my wall because it reminds me [Takeaway].

Mistake #4: [Mistake4]

Traditional wisdom says [TraditionalWisdom].

But that’s only true if you don’t do two things correctly:

[RightDecision1]
[RightDecision2]

Then, [TraditionalWisdom] works great.

Mistake #5: [Mistake5]

We all think we can [Decision].

We all think we have unlimited [Resource].

We all think we are immune to [Disaster].

But the truth is, we’re not.

Which is why it’s much better to operate from first principles, and [RightDecision] from the very beginning.

Template: Personal Story

In this first sentence, share one specific moment of significance.

Next, put the reader in your shoes. Go back to that moment and show the reader what life looked like. What was going on in the time—outside in your physical world, and inside in your emotional world? What were some of your wants and needs at the time? What physical objects populated your experience? What was on your desk? What did your bedroom look like, your house, apartment, or dorm room? What was your biggest insecurity at the time, and what was the thing you appreciated most about yourself?

Now, tell the reader why you wanted to change.

In one bolded sentence, tell the reader what you hoped for yourself.

Back then, where did you want your life to go? Who did you want to become? What were your aspirations, and why was it so important for you to change? What did you hope would happen as a result? Most importantly, what were you searching for? What did changing represent, and what did you think (at the time) was going to happen once you achieved that change?

Now, fast-forward: in one sentence, tell the reader whether you were right or not.

In one bolded sentence, tell the reader what that change actually led to.

Were you let down? Or did things turn out better than you even imagined?

Explain to the reader what caused the change, how you changed, and how things were different after the fact. What were the unintended consequences? How did it impact other aspects of your life: your friendships, relationships, sense of self, finances, spirituality, etc.?

What was the result?

Finally, in one bolded sentence, tell the reader the morale of the story.

Why are you sharing this with the reader?

More importantly, what can they learn about themselves, through you?

The World’s Most Valuable Skill Is {Skill}. Here Are 5 Frameworks To Help You Master It In Record Time

The world’s most valuable skill is [Skill].

Unfortunately, [Obstacle] keeps people from ever learning how to do it. They spend hours (and usually a ton of money) trying to learn [OldWay], all the while failing to realize the world has changed. The [OldWay] isn’t relevant anymore—because now, in order to be successful, you have to [NewWay].

I know, because I wasted [Time] and [Money] trying to learn this myself.

But, my loss is your gain.

Here are [X] [Topic] frameworks that will save you dozens of painful hours trying to learn [Skill] yourself:

[Name]’s [Topic] Framework

Hearing this completely changed the way I thought about [Topic].

According to [Name], all you have to do is:

[Step1]
[Step2]
[Step3]

[Name]’s [Topic] Framework

Hang this up in your room somewhere—and stare at it everyday.

[Tip1]
[Tip2]
[Tip3]

[Name]’s [Topic] Framework

I consider this the Bible of [Topic].

[Strategy1]
[Strategy2]
[Strategy3]

[Name]’s [Topic] Framework

Struggling with [Obstacle]?

[Step1]
[Step2]
[Step3]

[Name]’s [Topic] Framework

Finally, this is how you achieve [Outcome]:

[Tip1]
[Tip2]
[Tip3]

These [X] frameworks completely changed the way I thought about [Skill].

If only I had discovered them sooner…

Template #4: Myths

This first sentence is a myth that exists in your industry.

In this next paragraph, explain the myth in detail. Describe it, and tell the reader why it exists. Give context as to how this myth became a myth in the first place.

Then, tell the reader why it’s wrong.

In this subhead, debunk the myth.

And in this first sentence, give one concrete example as proof.

In this paragraph, expand on your one concrete example. If you are sharing from personal experience, tell a short story here to paint a picture of how you learned what you learned. If you’re citing a stat or study, give a quick synopsis of all that you’ve read and what you’ve learned as a result.

Then, in this last sentence, tell the reader why it’s such a mistake to believe this myth to be true.

In this subhead, tell the reader what they should be doing instead.

And in this sentence, tell them exactly how to do it/get started.

Next, explain in detail how. What steps should they take? What new skills do they need to learn? If they’re going to stop living life believing in this myth, give them a path forward.

Finally, leave the reader with a few more actionable tips they can carry with them on their journey.

Tip #1: Actionable advice. In 1-2 sentences, explain what this means and/or what the reader should do with it.

Tip #2: Actionable advice. In 1-2 sentences, explain what this means and/or what the reader should do with it.

Tip #3: Actionable advice. In 1-2 sentences, explain what this means and/or what the reader should do with it.

Finally, remind the reader of what happens to people who fall into the trap of believing in this myth.

And then, referencing the above, remind them there’s a better way.

Template: ABDCE Storytelling

[A] When I was (age), I (experienced something).

[B] In this next section, explain what happened. Where were you? Who were you with? What happened, and why did it matter so much to you at the time? Who else saw? What did you feel? What did you think was going to happen, and what happened instead?

[B] In one single bolded sentence, share the feeling you felt.

[D] Now, expand on that feeling. Develop it. How did the experience play out in the rest of your life? Did you carry it with you for a long time? How did it impact other things—like say, making friends, forming relationships, trusting other people, or your ability to pursue your dreams? Did you think about it often? What was the image, or the phrase, or the specific moment that came up for you time and time again? How did your interpretation of the event change as time went on?

[D] When did things start to change? What caused the change? How did you start growing in a different direction? What was the moment? Similar to [B], what happened? Where were you? Who were you with? What happened, and why did it matter so much to you at that time? Who else saw? What did you feel? What did you think was going to happen, and what happened instead?

[C] In one single bolded sentence, share the final moment of change.

[C] When was “the transformation complete?” What did you and your life look like before, and what did you and your life look like after?

[E] Finally, explain to the reader why this story matters. Why did you want to share it? What’s the final morale you want the reader to be left with? What should the reader walk away thinking about differently? How can they learn from your story and apply those learnings to their own life?

[E] If you could summarize this story in one single sentence for the reader to end with, what would it be?

ABDCE:

• Action

• Background

• Development

• Climax

• Ending

Newsletter CTA Template

If you enjoy posts like this, you might also enjoy my weekly newsletter: [NewsletterName]. Join [X] subscribers and subscribe here.

[X] actionable tips for [Outcome]. Always [X] minutes or less.

[Link]

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My 3 Favorite Tools To Accomplish X

I love doing [what, digitally].

And since I love doing [what, digitally], I have a handful of tools I use over and over again. They have become part of my daily habit, and I recommend them to anyone and everyone.

Here are my favorite tools to do X:

Tool #1: What is it, what does it do, and why do you love it?
Tool #2: What is it, what does it do, and why do you love it?
Tool #3: What is it, what does it do, and why do you love it?

If you end up using these tools, let me know what you think!

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The 1 Life Lesson I’ll Never Forget

When I was X years old, I learned a life lesson I’ll never forget.

I was [where], and actively struggling to [do what in your life]. Until one day, I met [guide] who gave me some important words of advice: [words of advice]. At first, I had a hard time hearing it, but as time went on, those words continued to stick with me. And to this day, I think about them often.

So, if you find yourself struggling with [what] like I was, just remember:

Repeat wise words.