I’ve had to change my mind about books. From chasing a book count to reading for action and pleasure.
Here are my 10 reading rules:
#1. Always be reading something. At least one page a day. Like Jim Kwik says, reading is like exercise for the brain. And when scrolling and distractions are the norm, reading is a revolution.
#2. Reading over phone time and social media. To reduce my phone time, I use books as conscious replacements. I leave books where I usually leave my phone to break the habit of scrolling.
And after a week off social media, I now read first thing in the morning instead of checking email or social media.
#3. Read two books at once. Balance non-fiction and fiction books. Non-fiction starts my mornings and fiction helps me unwind as night.
#4. Write a book recommendation. While reading a book, write a list of all books mentioned in the book. This is like climbing the inspiration tree as Austen Kleon says in Steal Like an Artist.
#5. Read actively. Write in margins, fold corners, underline, highlight. Your book marks can become a legacy. A book without marks is a book you haven’t read.
#6. Write a 10-idea list. I’m a big fan of 10-idea lists. Instead of note-taking apps, I write 10 ideas that resonate after finishing a book. It forces me to recall and remember what I read. Bonus point when paired with a 7-word summary.
#7. Reread. I’ve had to reconcile myself with rereading. It used to be a sin when I wanted to hit a large book count. The goal is to gain insight, not just hit a book number. Rereading is fine.
#8. Prefer physical books. They give you spatial clues to remember information. You might remember that an important concept is on a left-hand page, near the bottom. eBooks can’t beat that.
#9. No shame in piling books. From How to Be Rich by Ramit Seti, I learned we shouldn’t cut on things we love. I’m not cutting on books.
You’re the books you’ve read. And those you haven’t read yet. Just don’t let your books become “shelve-help.” Build a pile, go through it, then build another one.
#10. Binge-read your favorite writer. I did it when I found James Altucher for the first time. It shows you how their voice change and how your perspective expands.
Last February, I decided to write another book but in a completely different way.
I started from a validated idea. I turned my most popular personal development post, into a mini book. Instead of starting with the first words, I began with the outline, title, sales page, and cover. I wrote it backwards.
This isn’t a 7-day program or a magic formula. It’s about small daily ideas that create big change.
And as usual, here are 4 stories that resonated with me this week:
#1. I don’t use Google as my default search engine, but I still use it for email. For digital hygiene or simply for boycotting big corporations, leaving Google may improve your digital life too (7min)
#2. Hiring sucks. CVs, interviews, recruiters…But the best way to think of hiring is a two-way sales negotiation. If you’re looking for a job, here’s a piece of advice you shouldn’t miss (5min)
#3. AI is changing our job descriptions… and killing the need for junior coders. AI is splitting the dev population into expert beginners and lone wolves (8min)
#4. The next time I’m asked what superpower I’d like to have, I’d say talk to anyone in any situation. Here’s a good story from The Guardian (14min) about it.
(Bzzz…Radio voice) This email was brought to you by… 10 Surprisingly Simple Ideas That Changed My Life And Could Change Yours Too. If you’re ready to start small and see big change, check it out.
It’s a book about the invention of books in the ancient world. But the past teaches us about the future.
In ancient Greece, free men learned to read, talk, and think, and took care of their bodies. Manual labor was for slaves. Of course, that wasn’t a good thing.
If AI takes over repetitive work, as slaves once did in ancient Greece, we’ll be like free to focus on creativity and growth.
Maybe AI will kill most knowledge jobs, because it thrives on tasks humans do and hiring people may no longer make economic sense.
Until then, while waiting for universal basic income or or something darker, I’m doubling down on writing and chasing my curiosity—simply because I enjoy it.
04 Mar 2026 #selfgrowth#books10 Surprisingly Simple Ideas That Changed My Life And Could Change Yours Too
Big plans rarely change your life.
In 2023, life forced me to change. Burnout hit me hard. It hurt both my mind and my body. My poor eating habits only made things worse. Then, in 2024, I was laid off. The last nail in the coffin. It felt devastating.
The way up was slow. Master plans and New Year’s resolutions didn’t work. A new life felt impossible.
One single quote inspired me to get up: “If you’re lost, start with your health.” That quote became the foundation of Chapter 1 and the real step toward change.
Small daily actions made real change possible.
That’s why I wrote 10 Surprisingly Simple Ideas That Changed My Life And Could Change Yours Too. If you’ve ever asked, “How do you actually change your life”, this is for you.
Big plans don’t change your life. Small daily actions do.
Preview of the first ~10 pages
Forget passion and master plans. This book is about the tiny daily actions that actually change your life. I know because they changed mine.
Inside this book, you’ll find 10 surprisingly simple ideas that changed my life, and can change yours too:
Idea #1: The mindset shift that gave me purpose when I couldn’t get out of bed.
Idea #2: The daily habit that keeps burnout away.
Idea #3: The productivity hack that doubled my focus.
Idea #4: The free advice that saved me during my hardest year.
Idea #5: The creative practice that helped me write books and countless articles.
…and five more life-changing ideas you can start using right away.
This isn’t a 7-day program or a magic formula. It’s about small daily ideas that create big change.
Get your copy here—For launch week only: You can even just pay $1. Begin your transformation today.
