If you're an avid reader of non-fiction, chances are that you're proud of the volume of books you can read every year.

But maybe you've asked yourself: What are all those books I've read good for?

I struggled with this for years: I loved learning about new ideas, concepts, and frameworks. But when I looked back at all the books I had read - I realized that I barely used any of those ideas.

Was I just killing time?

Reading with a Goal in Mind

Then one day, I decided to create a 3-hour training on Critical Thinking and Decision Making.

I did not have any previous experience with this topic. I just found it cool - and I wanted to have my own training teaching it.

I found three highly-relevant books:

▸ Thinking Fast and Slow by Daniel Kahneman

▸ Think Smarter by Michael Kallet

▸ Decisive by Chip and Dan Heath

With those three books I had a clear objective: Identify interesting frameworks, exercises, and stories - and use them in my training.

I learned like never before.

And as soon as that clicked, I realized that previously, the effect of my reading was very small.

Here's my lesson in one sentence:

Don't read to learn, read to solve a problem

When you read about something interesting, you may feel excited in the moment. But if there's no way for you to apply it, you will forget quickly.

That's how our brains work: They are good at forgetting everything they don't need!

On the contrary: When you read something and apply it immediately - you use your knowledge actively, get feedback and generate questions that will help you learn more deeply.

This is why courses like Ship 30 for 30, or programs like Toastmasters, are so effective at helping people get better.

You learn something new - and immediately, get the opportunity to apply it.

The next time you're picking up a non-fiction book to read, ask yourself: What problem will this help me to solve?