Every time I read books, provided I choose them carefully, I always end up learning tons of interesting things.

The issue is that I struggle to set my priorities straight and reading always ends up too far down on my list. As a result, I read either sporadicaly or not at all.

Last January, I set myself to read 12 books (one per month). A plan that looks good on paper you will say.

I thought so too… but things got crazy with my apps and priorties shifted.

2018 books read count: 3

Not great…

2019 - A new book reading strategy

Building an app business all by yourself requires a huge amount of focus and dedication. That basically means time spent brainstorming, planning, designing, coding and shipping… while also replying to user emails, reviews and sharing content on here and on Instagram.

So reading 12 books is going to be tricky, unless I de-prioritize any of the above, which is also quite tricky.

The problem with goals is that if you set unrealistic ones, you will probably end up giving up altogether and achieve nothing. Setting more realistic goals helps to stay motivated even if you get a bit behind on schedule at some point throughout the year.

I won’t try to read 12 books, I will read 6.

Let’s see if dividing the goal by two can help me read two times more than last year.

Here is my 2019 pick:

1. Creative Selection: Inside Apple’s Design Process During the Golden Age of Steve Jobs, by Ken Kocienda

I’m already a few chapters in this book and it’s absolutelly fascinating to get an insider look at how things were at Apple when Steve was around. Ken Kocienda works on the keyboard for the first generation of iPhones and iPads before moving to the team who would bring Safari to life, working directly with Steve Jobs.

If you want to understand more about the way products used by millions (if not billions of people), I highly recommend this book.

2. Mastering Bitcoin: Unlocking Digital Cryptocurrnecies, by Andeas M. Antonopoulos

I started investing in crypto currencies last year just as a way to test & learn. All I really did was dipping my toes into the crypto world but there is still a lot I need to learn on this topic which I believe could radically change our society if adopted widely.

Mastering Bitcoin is apparently a must read for anyone trying to understand more about the technicalities surrounding this growing technology.

Definitly one on my list for 2019.

3. This Changes Everything, Capitalism vs. The Climate, by Naomi Klein

Climate Change is a phenomenon I have started to really dig into a couple years ago. I always have this topic in the back of my mind when I look for new ideas for products to build and I’m convinced that technology as its role to play in educating us and changing behaviors when it comes to helping safeguard our planet.

I haven’t yet found the project I’ll dedicate time to to try to help in my own way but I know that reading and learning is one of the best way to feel inspired and generate ideas.

4. The $100 Startup: Reinvent the Way You Make a Living, Do What You Love, and Create a New Future, by Chris Guillebeau

This book apparently covers exactly what I’m trying to achieve and I only heard good things about it. Since I’m already on my way to make a living doing what I love, I believet his book will just add to my already existing motivation to achieve my goal.

Another booster-book on my reading list for 2019.

5. Think and Grow Rich, by Napoleon Hill

Self-development is something I’m going to need to work on proactively now that I’m working by myself. No more colleagues, no more bosses, nobody to really follow a lead beyond the people I admire but don’t interact with on a daily basis.

This book was on last year’s list and I hope I can get to reading it this year.

6. How to Build a Billion Dollar App: Discover the secrets of the most successful entrepreneurs of our time, by George Berkowski

My goal is not to build a billion dollar app because that would mean building a huge company and getting back into the constraints of having a real job. That said, I believe I can get something from this book written by George Berkowski who has tons of experience in the industry.

Happy 2019

I wish you all the best in 2019. Be patient, work hard towards your goal, don’t let anyone tell you something is impossible, and read a lot!

If you’ve enjoyed this post, try to think of one person that could benefit from reading it and share it with him or her.

If you have any questions about this article and/or if you want to get in touch, you can find me on Instagram here or on Twitter here.

Till next time.

Happy coding.

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