Quote from James A.Hart on July 16, 2025, 11:16 pm

When you’re in your twenties, you’re not just building a career — you’re building yourself. And one of the most valuable tools at your disposal is reading. But how you read matters just as much as what you read.

A smarter approach?
Start broad. Then go narrow.

Why Reading Broad Matters Early On

In the early stages of life and business, it’s easy to fall into the trap of only consuming information tied directly to your niche — copywriting books for marketers, management books for team leaders, finance books for startup founders.

But reading broadly gives you range. It builds mental flexibility.
Fields like philosophy, psychology, biographies, and history give you perspective. They help you understand people, decision-making, risk, leadership, and resilience — things you’ll face no matter what business you’re in.

In your twenties, you’re still shaping your worldview. Reading across disciplines allows you to see patterns and principles that apply everywhere. It’s not just about content — it’s about thinking better.

When It’s Time to Go Narrow

As you start to gain clarity about your path — whether you’re scaling a business, leading a team, or mastering a skill — depth becomes more valuable than breadth.

At this stage, shift your reading strategy:
→ Don’t just read for curiosity. Read to solve problems.

If you’re building a team and struggling with culture, focus on books about leadership and organizational design.
If you’re stuck on lead generation, dive into copywriting, funnel strategy, and paid traffic.

Reading with intent means you’re not chasing knowledge for the sake of it — you’re acquiring tools to move forward faster.

Read Less, Apply More

There’s a common belief that “knowledge is power.” But that’s not quite true.
Applied knowledge is power.

You’ll only retain a small portion of what you read — unless you apply it.
If you read about persuasion, test it in your landing pages.
If you read about hiring, use it in your next interview process.
Books become powerful when they solve bottlenecks in real time.

The Takeaway

In your twenties, your reading habits shape your direction.
Reading broadly helps you find that direction.
Reading narrowly helps you advance with focus.

Don’t just build a library. Build a system of learning that serves your next step.
Choose wisely. Read with purpose. And above all — apply what you learn.