How to (Actually) Improve from Self-Improvement Materials
Reader Deanna Gamez writes: I see you’re an expert at reading books and implementing them. You wrote about how you do this in the October 2009 issue of SUCCESS, “Accomplish More by Doing Less.” Your third tip was to learn less, study more and you gave a general idea of your method for studying books. Could you please expand on that subject?
There is a significant difference between learning and improving.
The difference is results.
Have you ever been to a seminar, listened to an audio program or read a book that promised life transforming results in 90 days or less… and it didn’t happen?
It wasn’t that the material didn’t work; YOU didn’t do the work. It’s not what you learn; it’s what you DO with what you learn. Doing has to follow learning.
Knowing what to do is not the same as doing what you know. There are a lot of people who read all the books (or blogs!) and go to all the seminars, but their life never improves. The world is filled with broke geniuses.
“There’s a difference between knowing the path and walking the path.” – Morpheus, The Matrix
I will walk you through my process of how I turn learning into study and study into improvement/results.
Selection
I break my yearly goal achievement plans into four quarterly themes. In each quarter I focus on a particular area of my life or skill I want to improve (e.g., marriage, health, keynote speaking, interviewing, etc.).
I research online and reach out to my personal network for recommendations on the best resources for improving that discipline or skill.
I then buy the top 5 books, the top 3 audio programs and sign up for (at least) one seminar on that topic during that quarter.
Action: Pick a skill you want to study and implement the 5-3-1 program now.
Book Study
I don’t just read a book—I consume it. When I am done with the book it looks as if it’s been through a meat grinder.
I will underline, circle, star, inscribe bolded exclamation marks, dogear, highlight, put sticky tabs all over it and write notes in the margins, at the end of chapters and in the back of the book.
Don’t treat a book like a piece of fragile museum art—treat it like a workbook. Make your mark in it. A book is meant to be used, not just viewed.
Action: Don’t attempt to do everything suggested in the book. Reduce the book down to the best three ideas for you. Now pick one idea that you will implement this week. Write what it is and set a time to review the results a week later. Practice that idea for a few weeks until you have mastered it or it has produced the results you sought, then (maybe) pick another idea and practice it for another week to three weeks.
If all you did was implement, measure, review and improve upon one idea from every book you read your results would improve dramatically. I think you would be surprised how little impact all your learning has had on your life up until now.
Process: To fully squeeze all the benefit from the book, I go back through the book and pull out all the notes, highlights and underlined key points and transfer them to my Knowledge Bank. My Knowledge Bank consists of a document system organized by topic (leadership, sales, fitness, nutrition, communication, etc.). This is why I have virtually unlimited access to the best ideas because I have every key idea I have ever studied, thought or discovered organized by topic.
Audio Study
I load the entire program into my car system. I will listen to an audio program (if I like it the first run through) at least five to six times. This is a key point. A single run-through will have very little impact. Each time you will hear it differently as will be thinking and experiencing different things in your life.
It is better to listen to a single program that you like over and over again (deepening your experience), than it is to move on to the next program (shallow impact). I’ve mentioned before that I have listened to Jim Rohn’s Challenge to Succeed program 50 to 60 times. I have it in my car right now. This is why I recommend, if you liked The Compound Effect audio program I recommend listening to it at least five to six times over so you don’t just hear it, but it seeps into your consciousness.
Action: The same as a book—best three ideas from entire program and one idea implemented, reviewed and improved upon this week.
Process: As I am listening to it in my car, when a key point comes up or I get an idea I use my iPhone to audio-record that quote or idea. Later I will process those notes and transfer them into the appropriate files in my Knowledge Bank.
Seminar Study
All my seminar notes go in my journal, not the materials given at the seminar. One of the most important tips I can give you about attending and benefiting from seminars is to pay attention to what great ideas are being delivered from stage, but also what ideas well up inside of you. There is an incredible dynamic that happens when you enter an environment of higher-minded learning with hundreds of active participants. It creates an elevated environment that will stimulate your own inner creativity. Pay attention and document what ideas surface for you, even if it doesn’t have anything to do with what is being discussed on stage. The ideas that arise from within you can be the best benefits you will gain from the seminar.
Action: Same action plan as a book or audio program—best three ideas and the implementation of one this week.
Process: Transfer the notes from your journal into the files of your Knowledge Bank.
Mastery is the study of the one-percents. Look for the little distinctions and the little improvements in the areas you desire improvement.
Summary:
Study – focus your areas to improve.
Extract – pick out 3 best ideas.
Act – implement one now.
Measure – track improvement.
Improve - adjust, practice and act again with improvements.
Further thoughts or ideas—please comment below. Also, if you have questions you would like me to address in a future blog post, leave those below too.
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Comments
I have just gotten to the point about 6 months ago that I am reading a lot but not doing a whole lot. To remedy this I have picked up the books that I have already read and that solve a current problem and review the book. I then start creating actions I can take from the book to solve my current problems.
Josh Bulloc
Kansas City, MO
How can I help?
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Darren Hardy Reply:
October 5th, 2010 at 3:53 pm
Sounds like a great plan, Josh! Have you noticed any significant changes in the last 6 months as a result?
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Josh Bulloc Reply:
October 6th, 2010 at 11:51 am
The significant change is that I am actually making progress in my business with what I am learning. The hardest part is telling myself that I do not have to read so many books.
Josh Bulloc
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That’s an amazing article. Knowledge can really be almost useless without the right system to implement it. Actually unpracticed knowledge can weigh us down, we’d feel that we read this book and it had all those great ideas, yet we did nothing, so we’d feel somewhat guilty. Then we move on to the next book to shut down the voice of our guit, and the followin book, and the following one, etc. A good book is not meant to be read once. Thanks for this great reminder and insight.
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Darren Hardy Reply:
October 5th, 2010 at 3:55 pm
Very true, Mohamed! It’s time to break that guilt cycle!!! Just remember, a good book should be read not once, not even twice, but at least FIVE to SIX times!
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Do you also have a system for online reading? Online content can be overwhelming nowadays.
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Darren Hardy Reply:
October 5th, 2010 at 7:22 pm
Same system Mohamed. Boil it down to one key takeaway and DO something about it. Too much information consumption and too little action is the conundrum.
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I feel like paraphrasing:
Don’t attempt to do everything suggested in this blog.
Reduce these advices down to the best three ideas for you.
THEN
Now pick one idea that you will implement this week.
Write what it is and set a time to review the results a week later.
Practice that idea for a few weeks until you have mastered it or it has produced the results you sought, then (maybe) pick another idea and practice it for another week to three weeks.
Thanks for another great article!
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Darren Hardy Reply:
October 5th, 2010 at 7:23 pm
Bingo Ana!
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Great suggestions, Darren! Thank You! Right now, I am working on developing my skills in social media. There is so much to learn that sometimes after a day on intense learning, my head feels like it will explode! Yet, when I allow my brain to integrate the information and begin to succesfully use what I’ve learned, there is such a wonderful feeling of satisfaction!
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Darren, all too often my goal is to get through a book- only to move on to the next one in a quest for reading “x” amount of books. Thank you for the tips as I will begin implement ideas from a book instead of just trying to get through one. I must confess I have used my books as if they were fine china instead of a workbook-not anymore!
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I love to leave a mark in the the books I already read. I also read with a notebook at my side. I found that whatever I can translate to my own words stays with me. I made lists, I rewrite quotes and save those notes for references. After completion of a book I made a plan to implement several suggestions that apply to my life style. I can feel the change in attitude, and how I feel I am more in control without having all controlled. As frequent as I can I share with friends the new knowledge. I help them and their feedback is also good. Almost always I leave several topics out of full action but I feel good and I am doing better…there is room for improvement! and other articles are on my way.
)
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Thanks for the great article. I feel like I have read so many books but as you said my life is not better. When I listen to an audio book, either bought or through an on line rental service if I like it alot, I will go buy the book. Then I can mark it up and review it. I know it’s added expense but I don’t always absorb the verbal as well as reading the text. Appreciate so much all your info through blogs, Success magzine and your published books.
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Darren Hardy Reply:
October 5th, 2010 at 7:25 pm
Barb, glad you have discovered – it is not the quantity of books you read, it is the quantity of improvement your life realizes. Measure the correct metric!
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Ever consider sharing your Knowledge Bank with subscribers? Even if it was an abbreviated version just to see the format… I find these types of actionable tools (like the worksheets in the Best 10yr Challenge) are most helpful. I’ve uploaded all of the CD’s to my itunes and love going back to listen again and sharing relevant clips when I know people who are dealing with the topics discussed.
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Darren Hardy Reply:
October 5th, 2010 at 7:27 pm
That’s what I am doing each week on this blog, each issue of SUCCESS, each SUCCESS CD, each SUCCESS Audio Series, each keynote presentation, each book I write, each teleseminar I give, each webinar I do………….
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I have made notes of key points from most of the books and the scads of seminars but they are all random. The idea of a Knowledge base and having them organized by topic is just what the o.c. side of my personality needs! Simple but sometimes it takes seeing it somewhere else to realize.
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Thank you so much for this blog!
A series of books wll be read again with a new filosophie!!
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Another great post! I love that you bring up that it’s not the knowledge, it’s putting it into action that changes our life and helps us improve. I too take my notebook to every seminar I attend and very often more of what I write in it is what comes up for me while I’m at the conference – those inspired ideas that are stimulated by being out of the office and in a learning and growing environment. I have totally mapped out entire programs in a very short time while sitting in a conference (no offense to the speakers – I’ve learned a lot from them, too!)
Thanks once again for pulling back the curtain and sharing what it really takes to be successful. I am inspired!
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Darren Hardy Reply:
October 6th, 2010 at 2:57 pm
Great testimony, Debbie! Thanks for sharing!!!
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Thanks, Darren.
I love my books, but it’s about time I took my pen to them
Like many things, I’ve often felt like marking/noting things in books, but could never quite do it. Thanks for your post and your clear action steps.
Love your books, too, Darren. But I’m gonna now write all over them.
Enough learning….time for action.
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I really want to thank you, Darren, because it’s 1:26am as I write this, I need to wake up in less than four hours, and my heart is literally palpitating upon reading this. What AWESOME suggestions to structure and codify one’s absorption of materials.
One final thought: I’m just getting into Jim Rohn’s Challenge to Succeeed program, and even with its crappy audio quality — by today’s standards, this content is addictive. Jim is funny, speaks in some form of folksy rapping iambic pentameter that is contagious, and his wisdom cuts to the bone and is timeless. I’ve been reciting to my wife anecdotes from this program regularly. Wow!
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I really like the ideas suggested in this post. But I don’t understand “the knowledge bank” idea. Are you suggesting using any software for this?
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Darren Hardy Reply:
October 6th, 2010 at 2:59 pm
That’s up to you, Fahima. You can start out with a notebook to easily jot down your thoughts and ideas on the go and then transfer them to an electronic form of your choice. You just need to find the best way for YOU to best organize and actually USE the knowledge you gain.
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Good point about listening to the audio programs several times. It wasn’t intentional, but I’ve been doing this for eight years now with every Savvy Club DVD and every bit of instructional material produced for the Parelli Natural Horsemanship program.
I’ve watched the DVDs over and over to the point where if they were vinyl, they’d be worn out. I’ve looped portions, ran them in slow-motion and freeze-frame. I’ve taken notes. I’ve paused to ask questions of myself. I’ve made mental notes of highlights and focused only on those points during sessions with my horse. I’ve taken him to several clinics, some of which felt like repeats of previous clinics. But now I see that that’s OK.
Because the information is seeping into my consciousness. I’ve been absorbing it for eight years and the effect it has had on my horsemanship AND the rest of my life is amazing—because Parelli isn’t horse training, you know, it’s self-development disguised as such.
Before reading your post, I thought maybe I’d been to too many events, as I can recite by heart so much of what Pat Parelli says. Maybe I’d learned everything he had to offer and it was time to move on. But now I see that the ability to recite his words means his teachings have truly sunken in—and because I’m always struck dumb at events with new insights, I realize he still has much to teach me.
This IS learning. The method of repetitive listening (and reading) works. I repeat, it works.
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Thanks for this article. I’ve done SO many self-improvement things myself and life doesn’t seem any more different. I love the actions that you have as well as the practical advice – and if you dont mind me saying, I LOVE that you reply to peoples comments. I’ve never read your stuff before but it instantly comes across as genuine and authentic – something that the internet does a very good job of hiding for so many people. Keep up the great writing – I’ll be sure to follow. Thanks again.
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Darren Hardy Reply:
October 6th, 2010 at 3:00 pm
Thanks for noticing, Jeremy!!!
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Good Morning Mr Hardy,
I have discovered that proper time perspective is the key to really implementing life change. Successful people THINK long term. Unsuccessful people WISH long term. I had always said: “If I knew then what I know now….” But now I think: “I know NOW what I know now”. The other day I decided to “start over”. I remembered that when I was in college we used to love to study at the local Perkins Restaurant. So, I drove around for a few hours looking at the fall leaves and thinking about how I would do things if I had things to do over again. I came up with an idea. I stopped at the local Perkins and wrote out in great detail my 2yr, 5yr, 10yr, 16yr, and 23yr goals. Writing goals in this manner allows you to see the progression of your plans in a way that makes attaining them not only seem possible, but probable and logical. At that point, doing all of the things that you suggested in this blog makes perfect sense as one is approaching life with a hunger for “devouring” as much knowledge as humanly possible because not only are your goals now within reach; they are dependent on your become a knowledge machine! See you at the top! Have a magical day!
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Thank you Darren. You have a way of making your readers feel like we are not alone in our shortcomings…by acknowledging the issue and then giving us practical tools. This really makes you stand out and shine. Thank you so much. I will do what you have suggested in order to get more out of the tools.
Have a great day!
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Joan Reply:
October 7th, 2010 at 5:58 am
Alonda is so right, I knew I wasn’t doing the action parts of the plan because I have read so much and have had so many great action plans that I became paralyzed. Thank you for bringing this out into the open and giving practical steps to action. Doing everything in a book or audio is overwhelming so I just get the deer in the headlights star and do nothing. I can focus on one good idea and take action this week. Thank You
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How do you transfer what you read in books to your Knowledge Bank? What is more important in achieving goals……belief in oneself or having a deep driving desire?I have a lot of knowledge about what I want to do ,but very little of it gets transformed into action.Would action & getting results necessarily give me belief in myself?
Your blogs are extremely helpful & the teaching is exceptionally good!
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Darren Hardy Reply:
October 6th, 2010 at 3:07 pm
Great question, Shabnam! My Knowledge Bank is simply a collection of Word Docs organized by category or topic and put into a designated folder. Then with Google Desktop I can search keywords and find anything I am looking for.
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Darren you are amazing, can you please help me out in finding seminars around my city please, I reside in the san fernando valley, I would really appreciate it. Thanks.
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Hi Darren!
I have listened to the Compound Effect about 6 times now. Excellent book!!! I have a handful of well worn audio programs that I’ve listened to over and over and over – and the Compound Effect is now at the top of that list! For me, when I feel confident that I can teach the material, I know I’ve got it (intellectually). Then I must put it into action! Theory is useless without action. Faith without works is dead!
I learned the power of “action” many years ago when a buddy and I saved up and bought Tony Robbin’s “Personal Power”. It cost us about a $100 each to buy it together. After about a month I had listened to the program but had done nothing with it. It was then that my buddy asked me for $100. When I asked “Why”, he said “You gave Tony Robbins $100 and he hasn’t done anything for you!!” I quickly realized he was saying that the material I spent $100 on was useless unless I put into action! It had become “Shelf Help” and not “Self Help”!
Another area that has really allowed me to gain value from self help material is to have a proper perspective of time. Winners contstantly see the bigger picture and have a much longer and larger view of life than those that “live for the moment”. The Compound Effect summed this up beautifully in that all of our actions (positive and negative) build one upon the next.
Keep the great material coming!
Cheers!
Mike
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Darren Hardy Reply:
October 6th, 2010 at 3:03 pm
That’s a great buddy you’ve got there, Mike!!! I hope you kept him around!
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Todd Burd Reply:
October 6th, 2010 at 7:22 pm
Mike,
The “Shelf help” reference is PRICELESS! I would like to use that as part of my philosophy. Thanks for sharing.
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Joan Reply:
October 7th, 2010 at 6:01 am
I love it “shelf help instead of self help”.
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Boy, Darren, I would love to hear more about your ‘Document System’. Is that on the computer? note cards? How does it work? How do you work it?
I love the idea of concentrating on one thing a quarter. We (the husband and I) usually do it by year, but I bet we could split up our single year focus into quarterly parts. Hmm… now you have me thinking.
Personally, I like to let the information wash over me. You know I love the SUCCESS CDs and listen to some of them over and over again.Just let it wash over me. I’m always a little surprised what I remember and where the information manifests in my life.
Cheers!
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Darren Hardy Reply:
October 6th, 2010 at 3:09 pm
Shabnam above asked the same question, Claudia, so here’s my answer for you, too: My Knowledge Bank is simply a collection of Word Docs organized by category or topic and put into a designated folder. Then with Google Desktop I can search keywords and find anything I am looking for.
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On a limb with Claudia Reply:
October 7th, 2010 at 7:33 am
That’s brilliant. Thanks for enumerating!
Cheers!
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On a limb with Claudia Reply:
October 7th, 2010 at 7:35 am
P.S. I tend not to use Google Desktop because it’s such a CPU hog. (Old programmers bias. The old programmer being me!
) This seems like a great use for it. I will have to reconsider.
What is the best way to find out what seminars are coming to my area?
Is there a website that can help with this?
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Hi Darren,
Do you have a blog or short excerpt of a training session that shares how you organize your knowledge bank. I think that’s a great idea to have that point of reference but I would love to hear in more detail how you keep it organized and easily referenced.
Dayna
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Darren Hardy Reply:
October 6th, 2010 at 3:10 pm
Not yet, but great idea, Dayna! Thanks! You can read more about my system in my responses to Shabnam and On a Limb with Claudia above.
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You touched on one of my biggest problems. For some reason, I *DO* treat books like pieces of museum art. I have real difficulty with marking books up, highlighting things in them, and making notes directly in books. I’m not sure how to work past this but it has a real effect since I’m forced to do note taking on an outside source and that slows me down.
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Thanks for the clarification, Darren. Very insightful and practical!
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This is great information! More importantly it’s nice to know that I am on track. I tell people all the time that I don’t watch television or absorb myself in countless hours of news and media reports. I spend my time building, my family, my career, my dreams and myself.
The last part of you post hit the nerve center of my study habits. I read only books that help me in my endeavors (Sorry to all the fiction and novel writers) I also listen to my audio programs over and over until I find enough nuggets to make the program worthwhile. Thank you for your insight, wisdom and for once again helping me in my quest for SUCCESS!
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Darren Hardy Reply:
October 6th, 2010 at 3:11 pm
Next time someone says something to you about ignoring TV and the media, Donald, show them this: http://darrenhardy.success.com/2010/03/how-to-change-the-world/
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Donald Payne Reply:
October 6th, 2010 at 10:28 pm
Another great article. Thank you, I will keep the article on file.
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Thanks Darren!
This is a timely article. I’ve recently cut off one of my bad habits, watching TV, and have replaced it with reading books and listening to audio programs. However, I feel there’s a disconnect between what I’m trying to achieve and the books I’m read. The books are great and they have lots of wonderful ideas. I always feel inspired after a reading session and am excited to take action. However, I can’t seem to go from theory to practice. I think I’m overwhelmed with the ideas from all of the different books and rather than focusing on a handful of things to work on, I end up doing nothing because I want to do everything …. does that make sense????
Great article … I will start to implement this and hope this finally gets me on track.
Thanks for sharing!
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Darren Hardy Reply:
October 6th, 2010 at 3:13 pm
Makes perfect sense, Josephine. I’m glad you recognize the problem and are ready to FOCUS on getting and staying on track!
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Excellent!! I always love your results oriented approach. How do you determine the top 5 books/3 audios/1 seminar in your chosen area of study?
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Darren Hardy Reply:
October 7th, 2010 at 10:07 am
As I wrote above, I research online and reach out to my personal network for recommendations on the best resources for improving that discipline or skill.
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Great article. I have several audio books by the likes of Jim Rohn, Brian Tracey, etc. Not sure where to start. Some of these have 6 different CD’s. Would you recommend listening to the entire CD collection and then repeat or maybe repeat each CD at a time? Really wanting to improve my overall self. These are my only mentors that I can go to. Thanks.
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Darren Hardy Reply:
October 7th, 2010 at 10:08 am
Great quest, Davis. Listen to the whole program (if you like it), then again, then again, then again.
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Darren,
Like you, I don’t just read a book—I consume it. When I am done with the book it looks as if it’s been through a meat grinder. I couldn’t live w/o my highlighter either. I do the same with a newspaper article when I don’t feel like going to the Internet to download an article! No one reads a newspaper after I do!
However, as others suggested it doesn’t necessarily translate into business success, in the right action. I like your instructions, like how to eat an elephant, one bite at a time. For me, I always seem to bite off more than I could possible chew. With that said, I’m starting a new real estate course and it will give me another income project but entirely different from what I’ve been in. I will use your
Study – focus your areas to improve.
Extract – pick out 3 best ideas.
Act – implement one now.
Measure – track improvement.
Improve
Maybe it will keep me on tract to successful act and translate it into income, not just knowledge. Thanks, Darren.
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This is a great system for everyday living! You have thoroughly explained everything perfectly. I know I am going to fix some of the ways I do things: read, listen to audios, etc. and apply what has worked for you. Thanks for taking the time to explain this to all of us!!
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Tracking what you are doing is extremely important. If you are not improving you want to know. And when you are making progress, you want to feel good about it too.
I am still using Darren’s stopwatch idea to improve the use of my time (& am still often appalled at my results, but I keep plodding along).
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Darren Hardy Reply:
October 6th, 2010 at 3:18 pm
Agreed, Suzanne! You must have read The Compound Effect!
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Loved the blog, thank you. I too would appreciate knowing what your Knowledge Bank looks like. My own is series of a good, old-fashioned file folders. I tear articles and blurbs out of books and magazines (like Success) after reading them and throw the keepers into one massive file. Every couple of weeks, I have a very enjoyable quiet time where I sort through my collection, re-reading each item, keeping/tossing and then filing articles by Topic. At least once a quarter I put on some good music, go through each topic file, and keep/toss, post or pass-along. Yes, I am handling each article 3-4 times or more, which flies in the face of “handle paper only once”, but it reinforces the key messages I value and allows me to see where I’ve instituted some change, need more change and where I’ve really grown. Not high tech, but it works for me.
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Darren Hardy Reply:
October 6th, 2010 at 3:20 pm
As long as it works WELL for you, Terry! Mine s simply a collection of Word Docs organized by category or topic and put into a designated folder. Then with Google Desktop I can search keywords and find anything I am looking for. A little bit more techie than your approach but it seems to work well for me.
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Darren,
Excellent! Thank you for validating my great desire to underline, star, circle, dog ear, and post it note the great books i have read. I have always had a desire to do this but have rarely done it or with great hesitancy somehow believing i may be desecrating some form of “art” or avoiding it because I plan to pass on the great books i have read to others and my markings may somehow degrade the experience of others. I have always, however, copied the pages of the key points or ideas that have had an impact on me or that relate in some way to principles i am currently working on or studying. If i could only organize my “knowledge bank” of copies and notes.
Thank You!
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Great post Darren, the knowledge bank is a fantastic
Concept, I was outlining audios and books, but never
Organized them in sections like you mentioned, thank you
For such amazing information
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Great article! I’m an OTR truck driver and found Success Magazine back in April. Since then I have started listening to as many motivational programs as I could but have been feeling overwhelmed. I guess this was the best advice I needed at this point.
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Dear Darren
Thank you for a most informative message – I love reading but find it hard to implement into my life all that I read – your advice is practical and I will apply immediately to what I am currently reading. I have resorted to keeping a card in the back of each book on which are written pertinent comments, but think your idea is way more user friendly!
Please would you expand on Your Knowledge Bank idea – is this a paper based system or do you have an electronic version ….
Love that you write in your books – so do I – my books are not “shareable” due to this fact. Too many people treat their books like show pieces – mine are definitely “workbooks”!.
Regards
Mandy
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Darren Hardy Reply:
October 7th, 2010 at 10:12 am
Asked for more info regarding my Knowledge Bank a lot so here’s my answer, Mandy: My Knowledge Bank is simply a collection of Word Docs organized by category or topic and put into a designated folder. Then with Google Desktop I can search keywords and find anything I am looking for.
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This infromation has certainly cleared up many issues. Issues such as how to best harness infromations from various materials as well as the number of materials to use.
THANK YOU.
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Darren~
I absolutely love your stuff. Thanks for investing in me from afar. My question is regarding how you transfer the material from the books and seminar notes (journal) to your document system. Do you type them in via a laptop? Do you have an assistant do that? Do you dictate your notes and then have your assistant do that? Do you scan pages from your books and notes into your computer, etc.?
A second question: do you use a digital journal, i.e. laptop, or do you still journal the old-fashioned way via a pen and a page?
Again, thanks for your invaluable help.
Dave Weitz
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Darren Hardy Reply:
October 7th, 2010 at 10:14 am
Digital is definitely best for my world, Dave! Like I posted to many above, here’s exactly what I do: My Knowledge Bank is simply a collection of Word Docs organized by category or topic and put into a designated folder. Then with Google Desktop I can search keywords and find anything I am looking for.
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I have started a similar knowledge bank using microsoft One Note. It’s a fantastic program for organizing all the inspiring information. I think of it as a notebook that never runs out of pages and searchable by keyword.
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My life was changed when I read Goals by Brian Tracy. Our lives is in our daily routine. One of the reasons I love Success is that at the end of each issue and even in the CD you summarize action steps. It is what you do with what you know that counts not what you know/ Someone said what is the value of revelation or an idea when you cannot apply it. Even the Bible says that it is the person who applies what he knows that can prosper (blessed). Great piece Darren!
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Darren Hardy Reply:
October 7th, 2010 at 10:15 am
Glad you noticed (and USE!) the Action Steps in SUCCESS, Dimeji! Thanks for that reminder to everyone, too!
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Darren,
Wow your idea of a knowledge bank is magnificent. Making daily deposits into that knowledge bank will grow a wealth of wisdom. The key is withdrawing those deposits and investing them into action.
Great stuff my brother. I love how you help facilitate this concept, on the final track of the Success CD. You seamlessly provide some of the best ideas from each interview and audio, then you guide the audience in implementing those ideas. TY, TY, TY.
I am going to enjoy creating my own Fort Knox of Knowledge. How often do you peruse your files?
Thanks again my friend,
Damien
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Darren Hardy Reply:
October 7th, 2010 at 10:19 am
As often as I need to, Damien! But it’s always a good idea to get in there every so often and rediscover ideas and concepts. Otherwise what was the point?
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I read the compound effect two weeks ago and I out an additional 2 hours in my studies and I was surpirised at how well I handled my last exam. Excellent performance!!
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Darren Hardy Reply:
October 7th, 2010 at 10:19 am
Kuods, Dave!!! Thanks for sharing!
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I love this! Systems work for me and I am always inspired while learning. The knowledge bank is very exciting to me!!! I will begin one immediately!
Thanks Darren!
Jenn
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Darren,
I was wondering if you have any recommendations or experience with speed reading. I think that this might help me in getting through more of the self-help books that I have in my possession. I know that you mentioned in an earlier reply above that it’s not quantity that matters, but the quality of the material. I believe that speed reading in getting to the quality more quickly.
On know that in the Success Store that you have a memory/speed reading audio and book series with Ron White. Have you had any positive success with his material? I am also aware of an other speed reading process called Photo Reading by Paul Scheele. Have you heard of this, or tried this method?
Thank you in advance for your time.
-Dave
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Darren Hardy Reply:
October 7th, 2010 at 11:10 am
Ron is great, Dave. Jim Rohn Intl just sent out a special on his product in fact: http://www.jimrohn.com/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=9&products_id=1936&refid=achiever
Speed is not as important as absorption and implementation. ONE idea and one new behavior improvement is all you are looking for.
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Darren, Exceptional article!! Changing your life is about the “DO” and who you show up as when you are “Doing”, I have posted this on my FB as one of the best articles ever and will mention it in my own blog. Thank you sooo much!
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Hi Darren, visited your website for the first time today.
I know this article was for me, its beautifully written.
On your personal website darrenhard.com (Human tab) You wrote that you were conditioned from an early age by your dad, to be extra ordinary; to be a high achiever and get whatever you set your mind to. I believe thats one of the main reasons that you actually use what you read/study.
What advice would you give to someone very young (like me) on how to develope themselves so they develope traits and mindsets as strong as yours. I’d love to have a success story just likes yours.
Thanks!
Yugen
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Darren Hardy Reply:
October 7th, 2010 at 11:09 am
Yugen, get what I got by reading The Compound Effect and listening to the audio a dozen times. You are getting 40 years of focused, concentrated study, practice and proof of concept.
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Darren,
I listen to audit CDs over and over again when I feel a resonance with the message until I can pretty much recite them verbatim. There are two interesting things I have found. One is that I don’t get tired of listenting to a good message and that I often hear something I did not hear earlier as my mind processes the message on deeper levels. The second thing is that if there is a part of the message that I am not ready to hear an interruption will happen at that part of the CD every time (the dog will start barking, the phone will ring, the doorbell will ring, etc.) I have realized that I missed a section and gone back again and again to hear it and had this experience repeat again and again.
When I read a book I want to learn from I tape one of those little “post it” tab holders to the front of the book and as I find parts I want to go back to I will mark them and label them. I also always have pen in hand and freely underline, circle, etc. as well as change words if I feel the information is a bit “off” from how it should be.
I have accomplished amazing improvements/changes in my life since I stopped reading and started studying/devouring books.
Thanks for all you do.
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Darren, speaking of audio programs, there is a new I phone app for audible.com members that allows you to bookmark sections of audio programs to reference back to later. There is also a section when you hit the bookmark to write a note about the bookmark you just made. FYI for those who do not have the time to pull over and make a note of a point.
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Wow! Incredible article… I too just keep reading book after book subconsciously hoping that if I read enough books I will automatically just change. I mean I have seen massive changes in my life by simply reading book after book, but I guess the next phase is to now truly study the books. Definitely treat it like more of a workbook than a piece of fine art… I just get so excited for the next book that I much rather spend my time reading a new one then the same book I already read. But if I treat it more like a workbook, take copious notes, and go over them daily I can definitely see getting way more out of it.
Audio programs I already do listen to over and over since it’s much easier to do… When I walk my dogs I listen to The Science of Getting Rich over and over. And in my car I listen to Think and Grow Rich over and over again. So I really am starting to see how each time I listen to them it gets deeper and deeper into my subconscious.
I also somewhat tend to get scattered and find myself studying life philosophy, business, sales, thinking, dog psychology, health and nutrition, spirituality, leadership, ect… It’s this urge to know as much as possible so I can share it with the world. What I’m realizing is this may be a need to seek approval of others as opposed to truly studying a particular subject for my own gratification. Realizing now that if I spend a quarter on a certain subject I actually may find myself mastering them all more quickly then if I continue to do it the way I’ve been…
Now I do agree that organizing and drilling down one subject on the time will take us to the next level, but if you are newbie to trying to find yourself and you’re just reading book after book, blogs, audios, seminars you will still see massive improvements. Simply because you’re constantly putting in good information as opposed to TV, Internet garbage, office gossip, complaining, or whatever else an average person does. So for me it did get overwhelming trying to put as much good content in to flush out all the bad content and habits, but however if I spin a positive on it at least I was getting away from doing more useless entertainment. Kind of how Brian Tracey said it on one of the audios that came with your magazine…
Anyway, this article really did hit home for me since it is time for me to really refine my skills one at a time. No need to rush anymore or be a jack of all trades, master of none. Thanks for opening my eyes!
Joey
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This Article is a WAKE up check. For about two years now I have been studying self development. I have everything from success magazine…to memory in a month…to the Jim Rohn journal, to designing best year ever….Zig Ziglar, secrets of closing the sale…I KNOW I am reading the right things. I know I am doing the right things by being influenced by positive information that can change my life. But, I know that no matter how many books I read, no matter how many times I hear my audio CDs, if I do not make those 200 calls a day or go out prospecting (which is my biggest fear of making a fool out of myself) , Things will never change. And Trust me, the material that you teach is exceptional, I always remember in the success symposium what you said about when you started your career in real estate, that you were looking for “massive no’s” not for massive yes’s.
Bottom Line…In order for things to change for me…I have to change…and Just wanted to tell you that I am soooooo grateful that this world has a leader like you because you are the change.
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Darren Hardy Reply:
October 8th, 2010 at 11:20 am
Glad you remember my quest for “massive no’s” from the SUCCESS Symposium, Mariaeli! Here is that pendulum swinging concept again for you: http://darrenhardy.success.com/2010/02/db10-stretch-yourself/
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LOA is a great thing. I heard you mention this idea on the CD. Over the past few days I have been thinking about how I need to do as you have stated above. Guess what I will be doing tonight? Putting my knowledge bank in place. I will then start to transfer the underlines and bits and pieces from my journals and books. This is the day and as Jim Rohn says…easy to do and and easy not to. However the time of just reading, listening and attending is over. It is time for action. Many thanks Darren for all the messages. I live in New Zealand and have been a subscriber to the mag since it was relaunched. I adore the magazine and find the blogs etc very useful.
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Thanks Darren, this is probably the best practical advise I have ever gotten on self improvement.
I used to read a lot and I still do. Once I actually had to stop reading because I thought I was spending enough time thinking. Until either someone told me or I read somewhere that books are meant to be chewed on slowly. You should think about what you’re reading and not read for the sake of reading. I was doing the latter.
And now what you said make absolute sense. Picking out the 3 main points and working on them. Just brilliant. Why didnt I think of this earlier?
Lastly, I look forward to listening to you at the start and end of every Success CD.
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Darren Hardy Reply:
October 11th, 2010 at 2:42 pm
Better late than never, Kenneth!
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I must begin by saying I’m a newbie reading Success magazine, less than one year, but it has already changed my life. I have purchased subscriptions to Success magazine for so many people, I can’t keep count and I share my subscription with all of my employees. I read your magazine from cover to cover and take my time but from now on I plan to highlight the articles or the bits of information that strike me. I listen to the CDs multiple times and each time I listen I hear something new. I have always been very respectful of books but what a great idea to use them as workbooks and get the very most out of them. You always have such practical and usable suggestions, I just want to thank you for that.
Just this week I attended a seminar, I did what you suggested and wrote down all of the ideas that came to me while I was there. As I reviewed all of the different ideas I realized that these are some of the best things I can do to improve my business.
Thank you again and I look forward to many more years of Success!
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Darren Hardy Reply:
October 11th, 2010 at 2:45 pm
THANKS, Christine!!! I love hearing from loyal SUCCESS subscribers such as yourself. Feel free to chime in more often!
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Darren, I believe ideas should be acted upon immediately before the motivation and momentum wane. My advice is that once you get a new idea act on it fast. Here are my experience:
In the with Brian Tracy in the Success CD and also the article of that same issue, I learn about goal setting (which made me started buying Brian Tracy’s materials), Immediately I started setting goals in every area of my life. I had to resurrect Jim Rohn’s Book that had been with me for sometime too. I believe I am getting to become one of the 3%. I not only set those goals but I am working tirelessly to achieve them.
I combed your blog for past articles I missed and learn from them about the 3 month intensive focus on goals. I started implementing them.. This month will mark the end of one of such goals.
Again in one of the interview in the October Success CD, I learn that you need to ask the top 3% in your industry their 3 daily habits that took them to the top and makes them productive. I did the same immediately.
Darren, in just 5 months of my subscription to Success Magazine my life is being transformed, energy and momentum is on the increase and I am much more focused on taking charge of my life.
I think you have should collect the success stories of Success subscribers and publish it every year. That would also be a great marketing tool. You are really making a difference.
Thank you Darren
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Darren Hardy Reply:
October 11th, 2010 at 2:46 pm
Great idea with the collection of success stories from subscribers, Dimeji! Definitely something the team will be looking into. Thanks!
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Hi Darren- this is great. I’m going to echo what other readers have said but this is the most practical and comment sense approach to personal development. I love the idea of the knowledge bank. I’m constantly reading, learning, asking questions and although I’m always learning something new, I’m also trusting my memory to recall what I have learnt on a later date. Moving forward I’m definitely creating my own knowledge bank. I’ve learned so much about myself just by reading this post. I should treat every book I read or every seminar I take as a course. I will never again be after to markup my book- like you commented, my books look like they belong in the musuem.
Thanks Leah!
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Hi Darren- to echo what others have wrote I love this post! I have learned so much about myself just by reading this post. Firstly, I treat my books like they belong in the museum. Moving forward I will treat each book or seminar I attend as a course. Secondly, I love the idea of the knowledge bank. I think I rely on my memory too much. I’m always having “aha” moments but I’m sure I’m not recalling what I have learned as much as I think I am.
Thanks again!
Leah
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There is a free random info organizer called Tree DB Notes I’ve used for years as a knowledge bank. Among other things, everything valuable I learn from books gets journaled there – including page numbers so I can easily review important concepts. It’s fast and efficient to go back, type in a few keywords, and up pops everything I’ve written on a topic.
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Darren,
Thank you very much for taking the time and effort to publish that article – it is pure gold. Imagine the productivity achieved in schools if A) children were taught success literature and B) were trained to master the learning, retention and knowledge application format you show us above.
Hmmm one can only ponder the possibilities…begs the question what is the motive behind teaching our children, for the most part, less than useful information?
Warmly,
Haydn Stevenson
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Darren,
Great Post!! I have a question. You said you transfer your ideas, thoughts, etc to a knowledge bank, which is a document system organized by topic. Is this a software package that can be bought? If so, what is the name of the program? I would like to start documenting my ideas as well.
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Darren Hardy Reply:
October 13th, 2010 at 2:15 pm
Keith, I use Google Desktop to search keywords in my knowledge bank (collection of Word Docs) and find anything I am looking for.
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Andy Reply:
October 19th, 2010 at 10:20 am
Great idea. Starting with this today. Never thought of using Google like this.
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Really nice post, thank you! I am not such a great consumer of self-improving books, I have read some and I have to confess I havent implemented everything I liked into my life. As you say, one thing is reading and being excited, the another is to really DO it! It could be compared with a diet, you wont lose weight just by reading a book about a diet. Lots of luck and great posts!
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Darren Hardy Reply:
October 14th, 2010 at 2:34 pm
Awesome analogy with weight loss, Wesna!!! Thanks!
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Yes…really like the way you organize the information you read. I will have to implement something like that. Something that might be of interest to others is a little trick I play on my brain in regards to reading books. I usually read 1 or 2 chapters of any book in one sitting. If a particular chapter of a book makes me think, I will ONLY read that one chapter maybe for that entire week. It gives my brain time to dissolve whats been read rather than to burn out another chapter or two and have too many things Im trying to contemplate which just seems to dilute the whole experience for me. It also makes me WANT to get back ASAP to read the next chapter. Kind of like delayed gratification. I also try to have one or two books on different topics being read at the same time. I can lay one book down pick up another and read on another topic without forgetting key points to ponder I read in the first book. My brain seems to be able to switch to a different topic and still retain and focus on what is being read. Just some thoughts on a technique that works for me.
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Darren
Those are some excellent suggestions.
My books already look like yours. Like the idea of recording the quotes from the audios you listen too.
I have started putting my notes onto the computer so that I can take advantage of the search feature.
Almost always come away from your post and writings with a new idea.
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Darren Hardy Reply:
October 19th, 2010 at 2:58 pm
Great ACTION, Larry!
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Thank you very much. Indeed, Great article. Eye opener for me !!
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Darren, terrific article. Jim Rohn turned me into capturing ideas in a journal almost 30 years ago. I have gathered an amazing amount of great information, but over all these years, it’s difficult to access it. I like the idea of your knowledge bank for keeping and organizing this information. I will start doing this today.
I think a future article on the idea of the knowledge bank would help a lot of your readers.
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Darren Hardy Reply:
October 19th, 2010 at 2:59 pm
Beginning to think the same thing, Andy! Stay tuned!!!
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This is a great article, one I will read more than once. Can you explain what the 5-3-1 program is?
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Darren Hardy Reply:
November 15th, 2010 at 4:25 pm
It’s pretty simple, Walethia. As I explained above, “buy the top 5 books, the top 3 audio programs and sign up for (at least) 1 seminar on that topic during that quarter.”
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Darren hi from Ausralia, first ime i checked out this web..
I have just bought your book how to have your best year ever.
I am in my late 20′s what books do you recommend for Financial Freedom, relaitonships and to chase your dreams and goals..
Cheers
Billy
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Darren Hardy Reply:
November 15th, 2010 at 4:40 pm
Billy, since you already purchased Design Your Best Year Ever, my Mentor Package might not be for you but you should still check out the rest of the materials separately: http://www.successmagazine.com/the-mentor-package/PARAMS/product/420?refid=achiever
Here’s another great package you should take a look at as well: http://www.successmagazine.com/success-summer-reading/PARAMS/product/422?refid=achiever
Also, don’t forget about The Compound Effect!
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I like to give my self time to let the information sink in, in other words, to sleep on it.
Re-reading the same information at a later date is part of that process. Also, sometimes good ideas aren’t immediately useful, but at a later date you might be able to put them to practical use.
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I think that is one of the so much important info for me. And i am happy reading your article. However should statement on few normal issues, The website style is ideal, the articles is truly great : D. Excellent job, cheers
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Dear mr. Hardy,
I’m new in the whole self development books etc. and I just recently decided to start off with your book, “Living Your Best Year Ever”. But after reading this article I’m now wondering if you would recommend that I use the approach as stated in this article. Which would mean that I would buy 4 additional books on the subject of setting goals, 2 additional audio programs on goal setting and sign up atleast once for a seminar on goal setting.
Or would you recommend that I stick to 1-1-1 (1 book, 1 audio program and 1 seminar) on goal setting? Being that I’m a newbie at selfdevelopment programs in areas of my life. Plus I also notice that the perspective of this article is from already set goal achievement plans. And that the method you describe in the article is a way of tackling those already set goal achievement plans. That’s also one of the reasons I’m wondering if you recommend me this method at the current stage I’m in, being that I totally don’t know how to set goals properly nor achieve them.
I would really like to know your recommendations on this Darren.
Look forward to hearing from you soon.
Gr,
Andrew
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Darren Hardy Reply:
October 17th, 2011 at 1:28 pm
Well Andrew, on the topic of goal setting you can be comforted in the fact that I have read, reviewed, tested and vetted the results of dozens of books and put the best of what works into Living Your Best Year Ever.
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andrew Reply:
October 17th, 2011 at 4:43 pm
@Darren Hardy,
Thank you for clearing this up for me Darren.
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I have had this blog saved in my favourites for awhile and keep going back to it to try and understand how to incorporate what I am reading into day to day activities. Finally I have reached the conclusion that the book will not be holding my hand to actually get on with it. I was reading one of John C. Maxwell’s books (I love listening to him on the monthly call by the way) that forced the issue. I wanted to really implement what he was suggesting but didn’t know how to go about it.
So I pulled your article out again and reviewed it. I’ve started my knowledge data base using Microsoft’s OneNote because it is almost like a virtual bulletin board. Your article is the first item I have added to it.
Second thing I have started is setting aside and scheduling the time to accomplish what I am learning. This is a huge light bulb moment for me.
Third thing is following your suggested actions from the past few months. The first action item is to try and read 30 minutes of something positive each and every morning first thing (currently reading John C. Maxwell’s ‘Talent is Never Enough’).
Thank and keep up the good work. Darren, I cannot belive the amount I am changing and maturing each month with Success Magazine.
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Sure Darren. This is one of the best self development and business development idea and action tip I have ever received.
Be Healthier and Happier. Become Empowered and Enriched.
Dr Maharaja SivaSubramanian N
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Darren,
I was recently introduced to you by a Peak Performance Partner of mine, I have read your books, The Compound Effect and LYBYE, Great Stuff! Your books Culminate the best of the best content for Actionable items that are to success what “Kale & Collard Greens” are to health.
Would you share/elaborate more on your ” Knowledge Bank that consists of an organized document system” ? Do you have other articles about that? (I couldn’t find it)
I have lots of notes from seminars, research, audio tapes, life experiences etc. and need to have a better system than I am using. You talked about “Knowledge Bank” in this article so I would be grateful if you would share with me/us how your system works and what works and doesn’t.
Thank you.
Keep up the good work!
God Bless,
David
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