I've heard this phrase so many times:
"I don't need to read books. I just need to take action."
And honestly, I agree with that sentiment... to an extent.
But don't let that become the excuse that limits you to reading five books total this year. Yikes.
Let's revisit the idea: "I just need to take action."
If action was the only missing ingredient, you'd have already done it.
Go ahead. Put the phone down. Do the thing you've been avoiding. Prove me wrong.
For most people, the problem isn't laziness.
It's procrastination.
And procrastination usually comes from fear.
Fear of failure. Fear of uncertainty. Fear of making the wrong decision.
That's why the right books can be so powerful. Not because they replace action, but because they remove the mental obstacles that stop action from happening in the first place.
Five Books That Make Action Easier
Personally, I don't read only for knowledge. In fact, much of how I became a speed-reading and memory coach came from applying ideas I learned from books over the years. These are some of the books that were a game changer for me:
One of my favorite books for overthinkers is The Overthinker's Guide to Making Decisions by Joseph Nguyen.
The entire premise is simple: stop waiting for certainty and start making decisions. Many people procrastinate because they are trying to find the perfect answer. This book reminds you that progress usually comes from movement, not endless analysis.
A lot of procrastination starts with the stories we tell ourselves.
"What if I fail?"
"What if I'm not ready?"
"What if this doesn't work?"
Don't Believe Everything You Think by Joseph Nguyen teaches you to question those thoughts instead of blindly believing them. When you stop treating every fearful thought as truth, taking action becomes much easier.
For pure practicality, I still recommend Eat That Frog! by Brian Tracy.
It's one of the simplest productivity books ever written. Stop avoiding the hardest task. Do it first. Move on with your day.
Simple. Effective.
If your challenge is resilience, read The Obstacle Is the Way by Ryan Holiday.
The lesson is that obstacles aren't interruptions to success. They are part of the path itself. That mindset alone can eliminate a surprising amount of procrastination because you stop waiting for the perfect conditions before you begin.
If you need a kick in the pants, pick up Relentless by Tim S. Grover.
It's about mental toughness, discipline, and raising your standards. Sometimes procrastination isn't a knowledge problem. Sometimes you're being too soft on yourself. This book challenges you to expect more from yourself and act accordingly.
Leaders Read
People forget this important truth.
Some of the most successful people in the world were obsessive readers:
- Dan Martell has spoken about reading extensively throughout his career.
- Patrick Bet-David frequently credits books as a major influence on his thinking.
- Jeremy Lee Miner is known for his commitment to learning and self-education.
- Tony Robbins famously consumed hundreds of books while developing his philosophy.
- John F. Kennedy was known as an avid reader.
- Elon Musk has often talked about how much he learned through books.
If you look at that list and think:
"They needed books. I don't."
That mindset probably isn't serving you.
Action AND Books
The most successful people rarely choose between action and learning.
They choose both.
Read books that help you make decisions faster.
Read books that reduce fear.
Read books that build courage.
Beyond Knowledge
Reading isn't just about consuming more information. Understanding the science behind speed reading can help you learn faster and retain more of what you read.
I read for courage.
I read for wisdom.
I read to borrow the perspective of people who have already walked the path before me.
The right book won't do the work for you.
But it can help you stop avoiding the work.
And sometimes that's exactly what you need.
