"Don’t Read Books If You Don’t Know This Method! 5 Steps to ‘Deep Reading’ That Turn Words Into Action"

The Story of a "Book Addict" Who Still Failed

I used to be a bookworm. Literally.

Every month, I read 10 books. My shelves were packed with best-selling self-help books, expensive business guides, Pulitzer-winning novels… Yet my life stayed the same. I was still stressed at work, still trapped in negative thoughts, and still wondering: "Why don’t I change despite reading so much?"

Then one day, I stumbled upon a quote by Mortimer Adler: "Reading without reflecting is like eating without digesting."

It hit me.

Maybe I’d been reading wrong all along. I was "swallowing words" like a machine, not "deep reading" to turn knowledge into action. That’s when I discovered the 5 steps that freed me from meaningless reading. If you’re stuck like I was, give this article 5 minutes. I promise—it will change how you read forever.

1: Why Reading 100 Books Still Feels Like Nothing

Have you ever felt this way?

Late at night, you flip through pages, take careful notes, even highlight colorful passages. But a week later, you remember nothing. A month later, the book becomes a decoration on your shelf. You console yourself: "Maybe I just haven’t found the right book yet."

The truth is harsher.

Our brains have a ruthless mechanism: If information isn’t activated regularly, it gets deleted like clearing cache on a computer. Reading without applying is throwing time out the window.

Painful Examples:

• You read How to Win Friends and Influence People but still argue with coworkers because you can’t control your emotions.
• You devour Atomic Habits but still procrastinate on morning workouts.
• You love The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People but your life remains stuck in the "work-home-TikTok" loop.

The problem isn’t the books—it’s HOW you read them.

2: The 5-Step "Deep Reading" Method—Turning Words Into Action.

Step 1: Ask "WHY?" Before Picking Up a Book

Don’t read just for entertainment or to "check a box." Ask yourself:

• "What problem am I solving by reading this?"
• "If I apply just one idea from this book, how will my life improve?"

Example:

When reading The Alchemist, I asked: "How can I bravely pursue my dreams like Santiago?" This turned the novel into a compass guiding me past my fear of change.

Step 2: Read Like a "Hunter," Not a "Beggar"

Passive readers wait for books to hand them wisdom. Active readers hunt for ideas that align with their goals.

How to do it:

• Use a highlighter to mark passages that resonate with your struggles or ignite inspiration.
• Write margin notes: "How can I apply this to my current job/life?"

My example:

In Deep Work, I highlighted: "Do less, but go deeper." Next to it, I wrote: "Turn off my phone for 2 hours every morning to write quality blog posts." And I did it!

Step 3: Turn the Book Into an "Action Map" Within 24 Hours

Knowledge only becomes power when you act immediately. After finishing a chapter:

• Write down 1-2 ideas that moved you the most.
• Make a concrete plan: "What? When? Where?"

Example:

After reading the time-management chapter in The 4-Hour Workweek, I immediately:

Deleted 3 distracting apps from my phone.

Spent 15 minutes each night planning the next day.

Step 4: Rewrite the Story in Your Own Words

Brains love stories. Retell what you read using your own language and personal experiences.

How to do it:

• Imagine explaining the book’s concepts to a 5-year-old.
• Journal: "What did this book teach me today? What did I do differently?"

Example:

While reading The Courage to Be Disliked, I wrote: "I don’t have to live up to my mom’s expectations. Next week, I’ll tell her about my career change!"

Step 5: Create a "Feedback Loop"—Read, Act, Adjust, Repeat

Action is meaningless without tracking results. Every weekend, ask:

• "Which book idea helped me improve?"
• "What mistakes should I fix next time?"

Example:

After a month of "deep reading," I realized:

• I read less (only 3 books/month) but achieved more (got promoted using skills from books).
• I quit "checklist reading"—now I only pick books that solve my current struggles.

Closing: You’ll Regret Not Trying This Sooner.

I’m not writing this to turn you into a bookworm. I’m writing so you can become a better version of yourself—someone who uses books as tools to reach their dreams.

Remember: Books are just paper unless you imprint your life onto them.

Start today. Pick a book you love, apply these 5 steps, and tell me your transformation story!

A small question for you: "If you could only read one book in your lifetime, what would it be—and would you dare to live by its words?"

(I truly appreciate every moment you spend reading this article! If you have any thoughts, feedback, or suggestions, please share them with me! Every comment from you is a building block that helps me create better, deeper, and more meaningful articles.)