Choosing my next read involves balancing suggestions with my own adventurous spirit, in which case I first choose books recommended by my friends, professionals, or prescribed reading lists, which work as useful filters for finding quality content that matches my interests and objectives. This way, I also keep an eye on emerging ideas and trends relevant in my field. In addition, I appreciate the unexpected, for example, reading fiction or biographies or books outside my professional realm, which tends to fuel my creative thinking. I try to ensure that my purposeful learning and open curiosity work in harmony for my reading.
I pick books based on whatever problem we're having at Dirty Dough. If we're about to change operations, I'll read a few on franchise culture. But the trick is talking through what I read with other founders. They keep me honest and tell me if an idea actually works in the real world. Tie your reading to a real problem and find people to discuss it with. That's when it sticks.
I choose my books thinking about my clients. I'll read new trauma research, but then I'll also pick up a memoir about mental illness. Textbooks only tell you so much. Hearing it from someone who actually lived it makes a topic like grief feel less abstract and more manageable in our sessions. That mix of clinical knowledge and human stories helps both of us.
My next read usually comes from what people in my media and tech circles are talking about. A teammate once threw out a wild idea, so I picked up a book on visual storytelling. It completely changed my approach for a Magic Hour project, and the Mavericks team really loved it. Recommendations are great, but sometimes exploring a genre you don't know leads to the best unexpected ideas.
I tend to read about teen mental health or new therapy approaches because it relates directly to my day-to-day work. I just read a book on trauma-informed education, tried a few techniques with my team, and our client conversations got way more productive almost immediately. Honestly? Just find something that helps with a problem you're dealing with right now. Those new ideas will stick better.
I mostly stick to curated reading lists from mentors and the SuperScaling group, especially on SaaS and CRM topics. I once grabbed a workflow tip from a book they all talked about, and it cut the time we spend on sales data down significantly. When time is tight, there's nothing better than just following the experts' picks. It's how I keep up.
When Tutorbase was expanding, I had no idea how to manage a remote team. I grabbed some books on SaaS efficiency and remote work, and we learned a few tricks that made things run smoother. Now I only read what helps with the problem right in front of me. Random browsing is fun, but a book that helps with my current project is worth more. It saves me the guesswork.
I'm a mood reader, straight up. I'll scroll through my list of half-forgotten recs, then pick whatever matches my brain's current chaos. Sometimes it's a rec from a friend whose taste I trust blindly; other times it's me wandering into a genre I haven't touched in years just to shake things up. I also love chasing themes — if I read one killer book about memory or identity, I'll hunt down three more that scratch the same itch. It's less about discipline and more about curiosity — like letting my next read find me instead of the other way around.
I usually choose what to read next by mixing curiosity with community insight. I start by exploring genres I enjoy—like historical fiction, personal development, or science writing—but I also pay close attention to recommendations from people whose tastes I trust, whether friends, mentors, or curated lists from book communities online. Sometimes, I let a single spark guide me—a topic I'm curious about, a recent news story, or a skill I want to develop. I'll read reviews or summaries to see if it aligns with what I want to learn or experience next, but I rarely let popularity alone dictate my choice. I also like to alternate between lighter and more challenging reads, which keeps the habit fresh and prevents burnout. Finally, I occasionally take random detours: grabbing a book that catches my eye in a store or library just because the cover or title intrigues me. That mix of intentionality, trusted guidance, and serendipity keeps my reading both purposeful and enjoyable.
I usually pick what to read next based on what challenge I'm facing at the moment. If I'm working through a leadership issue at Miller Pest & Termite, I'll look for books that help me see things from a new angle — not necessarily business books, but ones about mindset, habits, or communication. Sometimes a short story or biography teaches me more about people than a management guide ever could. That said, I keep a running list of recommendations from people I respect, including friends, mentors, and team members. When multiple people mention the same book, that's usually my cue to pick it up. I've found that the best reads are the ones that connect to real problems I'm trying to solve, rather than just the ones on a "must-read" list.
The question of "choosing what to read next" is not based on leisure or genre in my professional life. It is based on proactive operational necessity. I choose what to read based on what is currently the highest risk to my core business. My system is the Risk-Weighted Document Audit. I stop following general recommendations. Instead, I follow a strict protocol: I read the documentation for the component that has the highest financial liability or the newest technical update. The choice is dictated by the OEM Cummins technical bulletin board. For instance, if a new field update is issued regarding the correct sensor calibration for the X15 diesel engine Turbocharger, that is the most important thing I must read immediately. This operational literature is prioritized over everything else because the cost of not reading it—a faulty installation or a compromised 12-month warranty—is catastrophic. This relentless focus ensures that my time is always spent acquiring the knowledge necessary to mitigate the most significant financial threats. The ultimate lesson is: You secure your professional future by dedicating your reading time not to pleasure, but to ruthlessly eliminating the non-negotiable, high-stakes risks inherent in your trade.
I usually just follow threads of curiosity rather than set reading lists. If a subject — grid tech or sustainable mobility, for example, keeps coming up in conversations or investigations, I follow it. I will usually begin with a combination of long-form journalism, white papers, and one to two books recommended by those whose opinions I value. I prefer common threads in sound recommendations to algorithmic "for you" lists. I also enjoy jumping between genres to shake my brain up a bit. After a technical read, I'll switch to memoirs, behavioral science, or design philosophy to catch creative overlap. It's incredible how lessons from other industries (from aviation safety to urban planning) can kindle new thinking in electric vehicles.
I usually choose what to read based on whatever problem or curiosity is nagging at me most. If I'm deep into content strategy, I'll look for books or essays that challenge how I think about writing or communication. Sometimes it's genre-driven—like when I'm burned out and want fiction that gives my brain a break. I'll take recommendations, but only if they match where my head's at. For me, the best reads are the ones that meet a specific moment—whether it's a work puzzle I'm trying to solve or just needing to feel something different for a while.
I usually pick my next read by following curiosity rather than a set plan. If a topic keeps popping up in conversations or challenges I'm facing—like customer psychology or better time management—I'll find a book that digs deeper into it. Sometimes a single idea in a podcast or article will send me down a rabbit hole, and that's where the best discoveries happen. I also like to rotate between practical and personal reads. I'll finish a business or leadership book, then switch to something unrelated like travel writing or biography. That mix keeps me learning without burning out. It's less about sticking to a genre and more about letting real-life questions guide what I read next.
I tend to choose what to read next based on problems I'm trying to solve or skills I want to sharpen—both in business and life. If something at work feels challenging, I'll look for books that dig into that area, whether it's leadership, communication, or customer experience. Outside of that, I like to mix in biographies or books on mindset to keep things balanced and fresh. That approach keeps reading purposeful but not predictable. I'll take recommendations, but I've learned that timing matters more than popularity—a book hits differently when it connects to what you're actually working through.
I choose my next read based on what problem or idea I'm currently exploring, rather than sticking to a genre or trend." If I'm working through a leadership challenge, I gravitate toward books on psychology, communication, or decision-making. When I'm in a creative phase, I'll pick something completely outside my industry-sometimes even fiction-to spark fresh thinking. I do take recommendations, but only when they align with what I'm trying to learn, feel, or solve in that moment. For me, reading is less about following a list and more about following intention
I don't pick by genre or hype. I pick by **problem**. When I'm stuck on something in the business — hiring, cash pacing, delegation — I hunt for books or long-form pieces that hit that exact friction. During a tense growth phase at SourcingXpro I read only material on constraint and sequencing because that was the bottleneck, not leadership "in general." When the problem changes, the reading changes. Recommendations only matter if they match the question I'm in. Otherwise I treat them as noise. Reading is not entertainment for me, it's a targeted tool — you load the book that matches the stuck point.
I read two things. First, whatever new tech is happening, like AI diagnostics. I'll check the studies to see if it could work for Superpower. But I also read stories from other founders who've been through it. They know the messy parts the papers leave out. You need both to get a real sense of what's possible.
I often eavesdrop on what my marketing peers are reading, but I only pick up a book if it helps with a problem right in front of me. Last year we were wrestling with a new CRM system, and I stumbled on a patient experience book that was a godsend. My advice? Follow your curiosity, but make sure it can actually help you do your work better.
I've always believed that what we read shapes how we think, and in real estate, how you think determines how well you serve people. When I choose what to read next, I look for something that will stretch the way I see houses, communities, or leadership. I don't chase trends or stick to one genre. Sometimes I'll pick up a book about architecture or urban design to remind myself that homes are also experiences. Other times, I'll dive into biographies or business books that explore how people build trust, because that's at the heart of what we do in real estate. I also listen closely to my team and clients. If someone mentions a book that changed how they approach work or family, I'll usually add it to my list. Reading that connects to real human stories always hits home for me. Whether it's about negotiation, neighborhood development, or mindset, I want to walk away with something that helps me show up better for the people buying or selling homes with us.