Hey, what's up with your reading goals for 2016?

For the record: I love cats

Less is more. That's the philosophy guiding my reading goals for 2016. As much as I relished the challenge of reading 40 books in 2015, I decided that this year I would have to step that down. The plan is to read less books, do more thinking and take more deliberate action. My main focus in 2016 is on understanding, not knowledge.

In December, I made a list of 25 books to read. Then I changed my mind again in January, with the idea that I may end up reading more or less than 25. I decided that I would just go with the flow. That whatever number I would arrive at  in December 2016 would be good enough. But now, I realize that is not a good idea; it's not a smart way to think. If I want to achieve anything worthwhile through reading in 2016, I have to be deliberate about this whole thing.

Mind you, I haven't decided on a number yet. But what I have done is to make a list of categories of books I'd like to read, based on the areas of my life that need the most attention. There are at least three books under each category, each of them has been selected based on strong recommendations from people.

But that's enough about me. Now, let's talk about you.

Why do you even have reading goals in the first place?

If you're serious about setting and/or accomplishing reading goals in 2016, then you need to be deliberate about this thing. Don't just pick any book to read, narrow your scope and make sure you have an objective for this.

Why do you want to read the number of books you want to read in 2016? Is it so that you can gain mastery in a new subject? Or so that you can acquire new skills that come from practicing the things you will read? Or is it so that you can tweet about all the books you have read and show off to people? Make sure you get your motives right. In the course of the year, you will face obstacles that will obstruct you from achieving your reading goals. What will matter most, what will keep you going, will be the objective(s) for setting those goals.

Narrow your scope

When pursuing your goal, one thing you will notice is that there are so many books in the world you want to read. Some great titles won't pop up until late in the year and they will tempt you to veer off course. Sometimes that is okay, other times it's not.

So it is important for you to narrow your scope. What kinds of books do you want to read this year? Why do you want to read them? By the time you answer these questions, you will be better prepared when delicious books - that aren't already on your reading list or aren't in the categories of books you've scheduled for the year - come your way.

So far this year, I have read hundreds of articles about content marketing, and I finished one book and read another half way. I finished reading StrengthsFinder 2.0 by Tom Rath and read half of Charles Duhigg's The Power of Habit.

Now I'm reading The 50th Law by 50 Cent and Robert Greene. I don't intend to finish all the books I start. What's most important to me is gaining valuable knowledge from them. Once I sense that I have gotten the main point of the book, I will move on to the next one. Just like that!

Photo Credit: LUNARIX-PIX via Compfight cc

Ugh! I Lied to Myself

Photo Credit: adam.vradenburg via Compfight cc

Note: This is just a random rant

In the final days of 2015, I made a decision that I was going to read just 25 books in 2016. I convinced myself that I needed to read less and practice more; that I needed to read less books in 2016 than I did in 2015. Turns out I was only deceiving myself.

After going through my book (ebook) stash, and seeing some really great titles that I just have to read this year (that weren’t on my reading list already), I decided “you know what? Screw it!”

I’ve changed my mind. I can’t put a cap on the number of books I will read this year. I won’t even set a target anymore (save for my target of at least 25). I’m going to go with the flow and read whatever appeals to me at the time. Whatever happens, happens.

Happy new year people! We are going to grab 2016 by the cojones (read: grab the bull by the horns) and make the most of our lives!

The 15 Best Things I Read in 2015

Photo Credit: Daniel Y. Go via Compfight cc

If you ask me how 2015 has been like for me, I’ll give you one simple answer: deliberate. 2015 has been a deliberate year for me. I came into this year with the intention to learn and grow on purpose, and that is what I have done.

All the Books I've Read in 2015

Photo Credit: Stewart via Compfight cc 

At the beginning of 2015, my main goal was personal development. I wanted to improve my knowledge and understanding of life and business, and I wanted to improve my ability to deal with life’s challenges. So I set a target to read at least 40 books. Initially, I was moving at a fast pace, but had to slow down as the year wore on. Why? I started working. I went from averaging 4 books a month to just 2.

Book Recommendation - Francis Edo-Osagie (@geenieeus)

Who switched off your brain - Dr Caroline leaf.

The book is about the brain, how thoughts are received, planted, and grow over time. The book likens the brain to a fertile soil that receives a lot of things, pondering on a thought is like watering a seed; it grows into a big three.
Pictures in the book show actual thoughts in the brain, the funny thing is that they look like trees, with branches and every other thing ascribed to a tree.
The book teaches you how to reject negative thoughts as soon as they come, the greatest plus is that is provides scriptural backing throughout the teachings.



Francis Edo-Osagie

Book Recommendations for This Week - Ugo Eluchie (@UgoTheGogo)

 So I read this book this holiday and I have been indeed blessed. Heather Lindsey is a woman after God's heart. She helps young ladies to a place where they can understand their identity in Christ. Her Ministry is called the Pinky Promise. You can search that up online. This book encourages ladies to pursue God and not worldly desires. Heather knows what we want as women but all these things will pass away. God is forever and eternal. You also learn about how to take good care of yourself as a woman inwardly and outwardly. You should get this book.

-Ugo

I am actually still reading financial freedom and I am blown away. Mr Awoke Ogbo informs us on how we get broke easily as young people in the Nigerian Economy. He helps us understand what budgeting is and how to invest. I recommend this book.


-Ugo

If you are in pursuit of excellence in all you do, then these books are good for you.

Book Recommendations for This Week

This July I read these two books, both authored by Jim Collins:

1. Good to Great

2. Built to Last

These books are written for people who want to run companies with lasting legacies and impact. The books are also good for people who are looking to make the most of their lives. The great thing about these books is, they are written based on concrete research data, and data doesn't usually lie.

They were written for CEOs, entrepreneurs and managers. The books' principles and recommendations can also be adopted into the individual's everyday activities. If you are in pursuit of excellence in all you do, then these books are good for you.

The Diamond of Life by Blessing Abeng

Check out Blessing's book, 'The Diamond of Life' on Jumia. It costs just 949 Naira. Click here to buy it.

Book Recommendations from Kunmi Oni

Here is the second edition of our #BookRecommendationThursday. This is from Kunmi Oni of kunmio.com.

 

1) SPIRITUAL DEVELOPMENT

Living beyond your feelings- Joyce Meyer

1 Corinthians 9:19-22.

Joyce Meyer is one of my absolute favorite authors. This is the Ultimate book to finding emotional balance, manage your emotions and deal with others. If you are seeking to live beyond fear, depression, lust, grief, emotional or physical abuse then you should totally read this book.

When Love Comes Alive by Kunmi Oni

 My friend and fellow blogger, Kunmi Oni of www.kunmio.com, has released an eBook titled 'When Love Comes Alive'.  To know more about the book and download it for free, click here.

The NYSC Experience by Henry Batubo

This is a book by Henry Batubo. You can read the first three chapters for free here.

This is what the book is about:

Book Recommendation: A Man Worth Waiting For By Jackie Kendall

This entry is by Itunu Taiwo of www.glowingscenes.com

Hi, my name is Itunu Taiwo, I'm a Pharmacist and I love reading, writing, blogging, watching movies, playing video games especially the ones that gets me dancing with a friend or maybe just alone if I get the chance. :)

The 7 Best Books I've Read in 2015

In 2014, I read less than 25 books and I was disappointed in myself at year's end because I knew I could do better. So, in 2015, I aimed higher and I've started well. The plan is to read at least 40 books in 2015, and I am happy to say I'm on track to hit that target.

So far, I have read 18 books. Some have been useful, some haven't been while some others have had great effect on me. Of all the books I have read, these are 7 of the best. I have listed them in numerical descending order and in order of impact. Some (or all) you might have read, and some you might not have. However, I'll advice you to take note of and look for them if you don't have them already.

Here they are:

The 5 Best Books I Read in 2014

This year I read at least 20 books (poor, right? I know). Of those 20 or more books, there are 5 that influenced and helped me the most and I will rank them in that order [counting down from 5 to 1]. So, here goes: