Two weeks ago, I began the process of a 2022 annual review, which I started by taking inventory. I initially forgot to add reading to the mix, but then I remembered my Notion reading list. It turns out I haven’t been keeping it very diligently because during the past 10 days, I’ve added 11 (!!!) fiction, nonfiction, and audiobooks to my “finished” list just by glancing at the books on my nightstand and opening up my digital orders on Amazon.
One of the most obvious things I learned from my reading list is that I don’t read nearly enough business and personal development books, especially because I write them. I still take in quite a bit when I research, but I don’t think reading a few chapters of lots of books is enough to have true command of the material or the genre.
And so one of my goals for 2023 is to read at least 20 business or personal development titles.
If I hadn’t started recording what I wanted to read and what I’ve finished, I would never have been able to see the gap between what I want to be (and thought I was!!) doing and what I’m actually doing.
It’s amazing the power of writing things down.
My Notion list isn’t perfect - I don’t record every book I read, I don’t rank anything, make notes on the books, or even remember to note what I’d like to read next. But it’s been good enough for me to see a gap and then decide on an action to close that gap.
Now, instead of scrolling Instagram and watching animal rescue videos while I drink coffee in the morning, I read nonfiction. I’ve already read 1 1/2 books, and I can see how this tiny (and pleasurable!) shift is going to make a huge difference in 2023.
This week, I’m going to decide on my other goals for next year. Most of them probably won’t be so easy to implement, but I can’t say for sure.
I haven’t written them down yet.
(Photo by Glenn Carstens-Peters)