Controversial Take: Reading Books = Overrated

[Corey Conklin]

It seems like every guru, self-help expert, or anyone trying to sell you something all have the same advice. You need to read more! Read this book about how to sell, read this book about helping your mindset, read this book about time management, read this book about financial freedom and on and on… It’s mentioned in every business podcast, every real estate group, every course or seminar, and everywhere you look to seek help. With the amount I hear it mentioned or have had someone tell me I should read this book or that book, it’s got to be the answer to success, right?

I don't think reading is near as important to success as it is made out to be. Don't get me wrong, I absolutely believe in the power of reading, (and read almost every day) it's just that I believe that it is currently being oversold, especially in the REI world. (It may be because everyone has their own book that they just wrote and want you to go buy a copy)

In my own experience there is nothing like good old-fashioned, real-world experience. What I’ve learned from actually rolling my sleeves up and working towards something holds 100x the value any book ever could. I’ve never lost sleep over reading about someone else’s mistakes, but I’ve damn sure lost sleep over my own mistakes.

Reading is important just like getting an education is important, but without getting your hands dirty you’ll never accomplish anything.

What are your thoughts? How important is reading to your success?