A Productive Conversation Getting Reading Done with Mike Dariano
Mar 1, 2016
Mike Dariano, the resident book reviewer at Productivityist and a passionate reader, shares his insights on enhancing reading habits. He discusses reviving joy in reading post-graduate school and the importance of flexible choices. Morning reading rituals and integrating audiobooks into daily routines are emphasized. They explore the balance between learning through nonfiction and escaping into fantasy. Effective note-taking strategies for audiobooks and resourceful reading hacks complete the conversation, aimed at nurturing lifelong reading enthusiasts.
41:03
Permission to Quit Books
- Give yourself permission to quit books that don't engage you.
- Quitting allows you to read more overall and maintain joy in reading.
Maximize Reading Times
- Read first thing in the morning when your mind is fresh before distractions.
- Use waiting times (like picking up kids) to fit short reading sessions.
Use Blinkist for Previews
- Use Blinkist to preview nonfiction books quickly and decide on full reads.
- Listening to short summaries primes your mind for deeper reading later.
Get the Snipd Podcast app to discover more snips from this episode
Get the app 1 chevron_right 2 chevron_right 3 chevron_right 4 chevron_right 5 chevron_right 6 chevron_right
Intro
00:00 • 3min
Reviving the Joy of Reading
02:49 • 6min
Morning Reading Rituals
08:38 • 7min
The Balance Between Learning and Escapism in Reading Habits
15:32 • 2min
Mastering Audiobook Note-Taking
17:29 • 20min
Effective Reading Hacks for Lifelong Learners
37:17 • 4min
#32053
Born for this
Chris Guillebeau
#9473
• Mentioned in 3 episodes
Foolproof
Why Misinformation Infects Our Minds and How to Build Immunity
Sander van der Linden
#
The Practicing Mind: Developing Focus and Discipline in Your Life — Master Any Skill or Challenge by Learning to Love the Process
Thomas M. Sterner
#
Give and Take: Why Helping Others Drives Our Success
Adam Grant
In "Give and Take," Adam Grant challenges traditional notions of success and argues that givers, those who prioritize helping others, often achieve greater success than takers or matchers.
Grant examines the dynamics of social interactions and demonstrates how givers build stronger relationships, foster collaboration, and create more innovative and productive environments.
He distinguishes between different types of givers and provides strategies for avoiding the pitfalls of being overly generous.
Drawing on research and real-world examples, the book offers insights into how individuals and organizations can cultivate a culture of giving and reap the rewards of generosity.
Grant's work encourages readers to rethink their approach to success and consider the benefits of putting others first.
#
The Geography of Genius
James Wideman Lee
#6835
• Mentioned in 4 episodes
The Millionaire Messenger
Make a Difference and a Fortune Sharing Your Advice
Brendon Burchard
In this book, Brendon Burchard shows everyday people how to share their story and wisdom with the world and build a lucrative business.
He emphasizes that your life story and experience have greater market value than you might think, and provides a simple ten-step plan for making an impact and an income with what you know.
The book focuses on creating original material, better branding, and communicating value to audiences, rather than just selling products.
It is designed to help readers turn their knowledge into products and programs that can inspire and instruct others, while also generating income and living a meaningful life.
#601
• Mentioned in 32 episodes
The Score Takes Care of Itself
My Philosophy of Leadership
Bill Walsh
This book provides insights into Bill Walsh's philosophy of leadership, gleaned from his successful career as the head coach and general manager of the San Francisco 49ers.
Walsh stresses the importance of creating a strong culture, setting high standards, and thorough preparation.
He advocates for leaders to focus on the process rather than the outcome, emphasizing that 'the score takes care of itself' when the right principles are applied.
The book also touches on Walsh's personal struggles and the toll of relentless pressure, highlighting the importance of maintaining a balance between work and personal life.
It offers practical advice on leadership, applicable not only in sports but also in business and other fields.
#650
• Mentioned in 30 episodes
Originals
How Non-Conformists Move the World
Adam Grant
In 'Originals: How Non-Conformists Move the World', Adam Grant delves into the creative process and the mindset of individuals who challenge the status quo.
The book discusses how originals manage risk while following their vision, the importance of quantity over quality in idea generation, and the role of procrastination and strategic timing in creative output.
Grant also addresses how to communicate original ideas effectively, deal with emotional turmoil, and instill originality in various contexts, including business and child-rearing.
The book challenges common myths about success and creativity, offering practical advice and anecdotes from historical figures and contemporary examples.
#1540
• Mentioned in 16 episodes
Transitions
Making Sense of Life's Changes
Susan Bridges
William Bridges
First published in 1980, *Transitions* is a seminal work that explores the underlying and universal pattern of transition.
The book takes readers step-by-step through the three perilous stages of any transition, explaining how each stage can be understood and embraced.
It offers a simple yet profoundly insightful roadmap to navigate change and move into a hopeful future.
The book emphasizes the importance of understanding endings, navigating the neutral zone, and embracing new beginnings to cope effectively with life's changes.
#2325
• Mentioned in 12 episodes
How to live on 24 hours a day
Arnold Bennett
Written in the early 20th century, 'How to Live on 24 Hours a Day' is a philosophical examination of time management.
Bennett addresses the common struggles of balancing work, leisure, and personal development, urging readers to see their free time as an opportunity for improvement.
He suggests practical ways to reclaim and maximize free time, such as dedicating 90 minutes three times a week to learning and self-improvement, and emphasizes the importance of mental and creative pursuits, learning, and reflection.
The book encourages readers to take charge of their lives and live more meaningfully despite busy routines.
#118
• Mentioned in 102 episodes
Antifragile
Things That Gain from Disorder
Nassim Nicholas Taleb
Albino Santos Mosquera
Genís Sánchez Barberán
In 'Antifragile', Nassim Nicholas Taleb delves into the concept of antifragility, arguing that some systems not only withstand stress and disorder but actually benefit from them.
The book builds on ideas from his previous works, such as 'Fooled by Randomness' and 'The Black Swan', and is part of his five-volume philosophical treatise on uncertainty, 'Incerto'.
Taleb provides examples from various fields, including science, economics, and history, to illustrate how antifragility can be achieved and how it contrasts with fragility and robustness.
He also discusses strategies like the barbell strategy and optionality, and critiques modern society's attempts to eliminate volatility, which he believes are harmful.
The book is praised for its revolutionary ideas and multidisciplinary approach, though it has also received criticism for its style and some of the author's views on mental health and other topics.
#142
• Mentioned in 91 episodes
Quiet
The Power of Introverts in a World That Can't Stop Talking
Susan Cain
In 'Quiet', Susan Cain presents a comprehensive argument that modern Western culture misunderstands and undervalues the traits and capabilities of introverted people.
She charts the rise of the 'Extrovert Ideal' and explores how it permeates various aspects of society, including workplaces, schools, and social interactions.
Cain draws on research from biology, psychology, neuroscience, and evolution to demonstrate that introversion is common, normal, and valuable.
The book offers advice for introverts on functioning in an extrovert-dominated culture and advocates for changes to support and recognize the contributions of introverts.
It also distinguishes between introversion, shyness, and anti-social behavior, and highlights the unique strengths of introverts, such as deep thinking, persistence, and excellent negotiation skills.
#8
• Mentioned in 343 episodes
Thinking, Fast and Slow
Daniel Kahneman
In this book, Daniel Kahneman takes readers on a tour of the mind, explaining how the two systems of thought shape our judgments and decisions.
System 1 is fast, automatic, and emotional, while System 2 is slower, effortful, and logical.
Kahneman discusses the impact of cognitive biases, the difficulties of predicting future happiness, and the effects of overconfidence on corporate strategies.
He offers practical insights into how to guard against mental glitches and how to benefit from slow thinking in both personal and business life.
The book also explores the distinction between the 'experiencing self' and the 'remembering self' and their roles in our perception of happiness.
On this episode of the show, I’m joined by Productivityist’s resident book reviewer and fellow avid reader Mike Dariano. We talk about how we go about reading and what we do differently to keep our reading workflow…flowing.
The goal of this episode is to inspire you to find a way to read more without overwhelming you in the process. I hope it does the trick!
Relevant Links
Mike Dariano at Productivityist
A Mindful Conversation with Patrick Rhone | The Productivityist Podcast
Antifragile: Things That Gain from Disorder (Incerto) by Nassim Nicholas Taleb | Amazon
Quiet: The Power of Introverts in a World That Can’t Stop Talking by Susan Cain | Amazon
Audible.com
Blinkist
Thinking, Fast and Slow by Daniel Kahneman | Amazon
The Score Takes Care of Itself: My Philosophy of Leadership by Bill Walsh, Steve Jamison, Craig Walsh | Amazon
Originals: How Non-Conformists Move the World by Adam Grant | Amazon
The Practicing Mind: Developing Focus and Discipline in Your Life — Master Any Skill or Challenge by Learning to Love the Process by Thomas M. Sterner | Amazon
Give and Take: Why Helping Others Drives Our Success by Adam Grant | Amazon
Patrick O’Shaughnessy | Book Club
Foolproof: Why Safety Can Be Dangerous and How Danger Makes Us Safe by Greg Ip | Amazon
The Millionaire Messenger: Make a Difference and a Fortune Sharing Your Advice by Brendon Burchard | Amazon
Born for This: How to Find the Work You Were Meant to Do by Chris Guillebeau | Amazon
The 106 Year Old Problem | Productivityist
John Allen Paulos | Amazon
mikedariano (@mikedariano) | Twitter
Thanks again for listening to the show – and if you have any feedback you can leave a comment below and/or rate and review the podcast in iTunes or whatever service you’re using to subscribe to the show. Not a subscriber yet? Click here to make that happen in iTunes and click here to grab the RSS feed!
Want to discover some of the books mentioned on the podcast? Check out Scribd, my reading app of choice.
If you enjoyed the episode, please leave a rating and/or review wherever you listened to the episode. Also don't forget to check out all of our podcast sponsors found on our podcast sponsors page.
If you enjoyed the episode, please leave a rating and/or review wherever you listened to the episode. And if you want to have easy access to the archives of the show and ensure you don't miss the new episodes to come then subscribe to the podcast in the app you're using.
Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Grab My New Book: The Productivity Diet: A Practical Guide to Nurturing your Productive Potential
If you’re looking to build a sustainable, personalized productivity practice that actually sticks, my latest book is for you. It’s available now—wherever books are sold. Learn more at mikevardy.com/lit or request it at your favorite local bookstore.