Active Reading
I’m currently reading How to Read a Book by Mortimer J. Adler and Charles Van Doren. I’ll post a full review, but I wanted to share a quick tip.
Active reading is the authors’ argument. Only through active reading do you increase your understanding, not just your knowledge. For every book, they offer 4 questions that must be asked.
There are four basic questions you need to ask and answer about every book:
What is the book about as a whole?
What is being said in detail, and how?
Is the book true, in its entirety or in part?
What do I make of this book, what does it mean for me?
I have these questions on a simple 3 x 5 card I use as the bookmark. I am reminded of these questions every time I open the book.
Any tips you have that enhance your active reading habit?
Book Review: Discipline Equals Freedom: Field Manual
Book: Discipline Equals Freedom: Field Manual
Pages: 199
Copyright: October 1, 2017
Rating out 3.5 of 5
Buy or Rent: Get it from the Library.
Summary:
The author, Jocko Willink, a retired 20 year Navy SEAL officer, details the importance of discipline. Jocko argues that discipline is a foundational quality and the basis and the root of all good qualities.
Discipline Equals Freedom: Field Manual is laid out with two sections: 1) Thoughts and 2) Actions. The discussion surrounding discipline is focused on your physical and mental health.
From my perspective, there are a few key themes:
Discipline is all on you - When you control your self-talk, take action, and continue to improve, you are developing and using your discipline.
Choice = Discipline
Don't fade or make even one excuse. Adopt to use discipline to move forward. Use your Mind for Discipline.
My 3 Take-Aways:
1. Don't give in just once while exercising - always do something - I will procrastinate on procrastinating until tomorrow
2. Create a big enough emotional and logical why for my 12-week goals - that way, I can rely on both when one fails
3. Identify my weaknesses in relationships, roles and identify actions or systems to allow me to improve on all of them.
Overall:
This is an easy read, and I recommend this for anyone who responses to no-nonsense recommendations and wants to improve their self-management. The theme is "This is all on you."
Triathlon Tuesday 1st Edition
I am a beginner triathlete so I spend a lot of time researching, learning and training. I benefit from all work others have done sharing lessons learned, product reviews and resources. There’s a lot out there.
I am putting together a weekly summary of things I have discovered, experienced myself, bought etc. Every Tuesday I will publish a brief post on what I discovered, bought, experienced in the hopes of helping on you this triathlon journey.
Here’s the first edition
1. A book I just finished and really enjoyed Triathlon 2.0: Data-Driven Performance Training by Jim Vance
This book distills down all the training and racing data you collect allowing you to efficiently train and race. A great resource to help design and specify a training and racing plan geared towards your strengths, weaknesses and goals.
2. Tower 26-Be Race Ready Podcast
Coach Gerry Rodrigues and pro triathlete Jim Lubinski host this regular podcast dedicated to open water swimming. With regular 30 minute podcasts Gerry and Jim condense the key information and workouts you need to be successful in open water. They help bridge the critical differences between pool and open water swimming. Great information from a proven coach and pro triathlete.
3. Zen and the Art of Triathlon Podcast
Brent Blankner hosts this podcast and as the ITunes summary says “A triathlete's view on training, racing, and living the multisport life. Listen in for insider tips, methods, dealing with family, injury, traveling, and racing.” This is a long podcast from the perspective of the working age grouper as he goes about balancing training, racing, work and family. Good practical information in the regular podcast. Each podcast cast last 2+ hours, and typically have an interview.
4. Fueling Mistakes Triathletes Make Article
In triathlons your success usually comes down to training and fueling. I found I was making a lot of fueling mistakes. This article describes four common fueling mistakes we have probably all made.
5. Beginning Running Tips Article
Running is the hardest of the three disciplines for me. I raced road bikes right after college and did swim some in my youth. As a beginner triathlete I am having the hardest time with the run. Be it finding the time, avoiding injuries or enjoying it. I found this article on beginner running tips interesting and helpful.
That's all for this week. Enjoy