What’s the best book you (did not) read this year?

There’s still one month to go in 2020, and I’m already in book review mode.

Perhaps a bit early and out of the ordinary, but let’s face it. Things are off this year anyway, so why not talk about book reviews in November?

Who saw this coming?

If you predicted one year ago what 2020 would look like and you expected this mess, you should put some money on the stock exchange immediately. You’re a winner.

What hasn’t changed is that the festive season is coming like every year.

People start making lists, and book promotions populate websites and inboxes. It’s hard not to start thinking about books. At least for an avid book reader.

I’m in a reflective mode now because I’m done with 2020.

I’m looking forward to spending the holidays with family, but for the rest, 2021 can’t come soon enough.

Get the vaccines distributed, get the president inaugurated, let the days get longer again. Happy New Year.

Back to books

So, what’s the best book you read this year and why?

If you have one minute, email me and let me know. It only takes 60 seconds of your time, and you help create conversation. I’ll post the list of books next week.

For the sake of this insight, the most pragmatic book (there are other books for other reasons) I read this year is called ‘Make Time‘, by Jake Knapp and John Zeratsky.

I liked reading it because it’s easily written, full of practical examples and tactics (87), and thought-provoking.

The book’s core premise is that what you decide to do is a matter of priorities, and you’re in control of setting those priorities and acting upon it. The tactics help you to deliver and make something that’s really hard easier.

It’s not that the concepts are dramatically new. It’s just that the way it’s written is different from other books. Super pragmatic.

Let me know

Did you ‘make time’ for 60 seconds to answer my best book question?

If not, you can email me and send me your answer. Thanks for making the time.

If you decided not to reply the first or the second time, letting me know which book is your favorite in 2020 is not a priority to you. And that’s fine.

You own your time

Maybe you hardly read any books in 2020, and that’s fine too. Perhaps it was just not a priority to you. But if you regret not reading more books, well, that’s on you.

I guess you get my point and allow me to link it to the subscriber survey many of you completed.

Reading your ambitions in my survey, here are some of the verbs you used in describing your aspirations: own, start, become, help, establish, inspire, travel, study, learn, grow.

When I asked about roadblocks, here are some of the words used: lack of time, lack of feedback, lack of focus, and lack of support.

I loved reading the dreams many of you have for the future. They proved (even though statistically not significant) that personal growth and creating meaning are essential in our lives.

To make those dreams a reality, we have to prioritize them and make the time they need to come to fruition. That’s what 2021 will bring to all of us.

Your turn: how to make time for your priorities?

Do more of what makes you happy.

Erikjan

PS. One of my subscribers would like to own a vineyard. Good idea.

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