Mastery: I've Read 39,373 Pages—Here's My Favorite One

Issue No. 24 | June 12th, 2023 | Read Time: 3 Minutes

Happy Monday Everyone!

When it comes to personal development, I've always been a little obsessed.

Over the years I've found myself reading more and more in hopes I can find that one piece of life-changing advice.

And after reading over 100 self-help books, I'm happy to say that I still haven't found it.

I've come to realize that success and motivation isn't a one-size fits all. Every author I've read has their own opinions on what it takes to be successful.

And I think that's why I never get bored of reading because there's always something new to learn.

Being the book nerd I am, I log the number of pages I've read. So I'm not exaggerating when I say I've read 39,373 pages. 

It's one thing to ask an avid reader "What's your favorite book?" It's another thing to ask them "What's your favorite page?"

And surprisingly, I know the answer to the last one (the first one is still a work in progress).

Some of you may be familiar with the book 

The War of Art

by Steven Pressfield. It's directed towards creators who are struggling with procrastination and strategies on how to overcome the enemy in our mind known as

Resistance

.

As someone who's read the book multiple times, I recommend it to everyone whether they're a creator or not.

Because we all struggle with procrastination. We all have an internal enemy that is preventing us from doing the work required. 

If you haven't picked up on it yet, this book is where that one page resides. 

And the best part is, it only contains 76 words. 

Pressfield doesn't just talk about how to overcome procrastination, but how you have the ability to change your life at this very moment. . .

The most pernicious aspect of procrastination is that it can become a habit. We don’t just put off our lives today; we put them off till our deathbed.

Never forget: This very moment, we can change our lives. There never was a moment, and never will be, when we are without the power to alter our destiny. This second, we can turn the tables on Resistance.

This second, we can sit down and do our work. (The War of Art — Steven Pressfield, Pg. 22) 

Pressfield doesn't tell you what you

should

do, he just tells you what you

can

do as long as you have the desire to do it.

You have the ability to change your life at this very moment. You don't have to wait until the start of the month or New Year's Day, you can start

right now

.

Because as Roman Emperor and Stoic Philosopher Marcus Aurelius said. . .

"You could be good today. But instead, you choose tomorrow."

So why choose to change your life tomorrow when you have the capability to change it today?Because this second you can sit down and do your work. This second you can decide to change your life. All you have to do is choose.

Until next time,

Isaiah Taylor

Dive Deeper

What I'm Currently Reading -

I'm currently reading

Exactly What To Say

by Phil M Jones. A book that gives you words of influence and strategies on how to lead conversations. 

• If you'd like to see my notes pertaining to any of the other books I have previously read, then check out my websiteisaiahctaylor.comto view my entire library of notes and summaries.

Quote Of The Week

• "You don't have to be great to start, but you have to start to be great." — Zig Ziglar