Content as Guidance

I perceive most non-fiction as a form of guidance. This perspective recognizes that all media reflects the viewpoints of their creators, whether individuals or groups. For instance, when reading a scientific paper, the authors have likely conducted research and are sharing their findings. These results are their interpretation of reality.

We can only share insights based on our own experiences. Therefore, it's crucial to seek advice from those who have achieved the outcomes you wish to attain. For example, if a friend struggles to maintain relationships beyond a year, it may not be wise to seek their relationship advice.

When it comes to information online, intuition plays a vital role. While it may sound cliché, I believe that if you are genuinely interested in learning, your instincts will guide you correctly most of the time. When engaging with a book or article, consider how it resonates with you. Does it inspire you? Does it provide meaningful insights?

My greatest revelations often come from my interpretation of a piece rather than its explicit message. As Austin Kleon articulates in Steal Like an Artist: "Some advice can be advice; feel free to take what you can use and leave the rest." This mindset has transformed how I approach written content.

In the past, I would painstakingly try to absorb every detail, hindering my actual learning. Now, I concentrate on what truly resonates. If something feels irrelevant, it likely is for me. This shift has made reading much more enjoyable, freeing me from the pressure to grasp every detail.

Finding Quality Digital Content

Curation is the first step in effective content consumption. I often gather book recommendations from others. If your circle doesn't prioritize reading, numerous online communities and apps can help you discover new books.

I particularly enjoy the app Likewise, which fosters a sense of community by recommending books based on your preferences. On the other hand, Goodreads serves as a practical tool for reviews and recommendations, integrating seamlessly with Kindle.

The satisfaction of moving a book from "currently reading" to "read" is rewarding. It allows you to reflect on your growing knowledge base and share your favorite reads with others. My experience with Medium has also been positive; the algorithm effectively surfaces content that interests me. Following authors I admire has significantly enriched my personal development journey.

To enhance your experience on Medium, consider using my referral link for unlimited access, which also supports my work!

Embracing Digital Resources

Given the internet's vastness, it's wise to embrace its resources. I primarily gather information from five key platforms: eBooks, Medium, YouTube, audiobooks, and my Personal Knowledge Management (PKM) system.

Books offer a wealth of knowledge, often encapsulating entire lifetimes of experience. I appreciate the convenience of eBooks for non-fiction, allowing for highlights and notes that seamlessly integrate into my PKM system.

When selecting books, I apply a "measure twice, cut once" approach: I research the author, ensure they have relevant insights, and sample their writing style before committing to a read. Being discerning is essential for personal growth.

In reading articles, I focus on extracting ideas rather than strictly adhering to the author's assertions, as they may not always be as scientifically grounded as books. This approach should apply to my work as well; while I share my insights, I encourage readers to extract what resonates with them.

Remembering What You Read

I plan to delve deeper into creating an effective PKM system in future writings, but here are some critical elements. Highlights form the foundation of my PKM. Any application that facilitates highlighting is beneficial, which is why I favor Medium.

For eBooks, I utilize Kindle and its various formats, which effectively accumulate valuable highlights. For other articles, I use Pocket to save and highlight web content.

For videos or content that cannot be highlighted, such as Ted Talks, I save links to my To-Do list. I discussed this in detail in my article, The Perfect To-Do List to Achieve Your Goals and Reduce Stress.

You might wonder about the purpose of these highlights. Enter Readwise. It consolidates highlights from various sources and offers daily reviews of past highlights, an invaluable feature that enhances retention. Readwise also allows easy export to note-taking apps like Evernote and Notion, facilitating quick indexing.

As mentioned, I will elaborate on this in future articles, especially focusing on Obsidian, but this should give you a solid starting point!

So, Why Read My Work?

Ultimately, the value of my writing is for you to assess. However, I believe I have ideas and strategies that can enrich your life, as they have mine. Here are some achievements:

• By age 27, I own three businesses and co-own one, all profitable and founded within the last six years.
• My self-developed investing strategy has yielded a 47.22% return in just 223 days.
• My skateboard business attracted over 31,000 Instagram followers in its inaugural year and surpassed all sales projections.
• In my first week on Medium, I received over 1,250 views and was accepted into the partner program.
• I graduated with a Bachelor of Science in Environmental Biology, achieving dean's list status, while simultaneously developing two companies, all with zero debt.

While I may not be a millionaire yet, my income and quality of life are improving at an unprecedented rate. Helping others achieve their aspirations is a dream role for me. My current successes have enabled me to focus on my passion for writing, and I hope you find value in my insights.

A Word from the Author

Thank you for taking the time to read this article. I hope it aids you in navigating the digital content landscape more effectively. I genuinely wish to inspire others through my writing, and your engagement motivates me to continue.

If you're enjoying Medium, please consider using my referral link for unlimited article access, which supports my work without extra cost to you.

Wishing you a fantastic day,

— Forrester

This video showcases a robust knowledge management system using Notion, providing insights into efficient organization and retention of information.

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