Why aren’t more books workbooks?

I don’t have an answer for the question above, but I do have a solution.

There are millions and millions of books published in a year. While the majority of these books are works of fiction, every year, over 100,000 nonfiction books are released. These books share thoughtful yet passive messages in hopes that they will inspire their reader to understand their concept. These passive books are not actionable to influence or change a situation. They do not allow the reader to be in control of the book they are reading. Ultimately, the author has control and the reader is along for the ride.

Be in Control of the books you read

Now, what if the reader was in control? Better yet, what if the participant was in control? What if the participant not only read the book, as well as applied or practiced the message?

While these nonfiction books on self-help, personal growth and improvement are remarkable and valuable, I always find it hard to implement what I read or even remember what I read! This is where I see value and benefits of workbooks. To support your reading goals and to process the learning outcomes.

my idea for creating a bookmark

When I was part of an online book club, we read books almost every month or so. At the end of the month we would come together on a zoom call to share our breakthroughs. I always found it difficult to share because I could barely remember what I had just read. Sure I underlined words in the book, highlighted quotes, stuck post it notes on the pages, and even dog-eared a few corners. It was hard to not only remember what I read but to figure out what was worth sharing to the group! While I read, I would scribble in my notebook and sometimes I would practically write the whole chapter out because it all seemed so important! It was too much. I could’t decipher my key takeaways or breakthroughs.

I wanted to help myself, and anyone in the group, who had the same troubles I did while reading an amazing book but not taking advantage of what I was learning. I wanted my time spent reading to be enjoyable and efficient. Too often I would read and not even remembering a single lasting concept. I also sought after a way to make the most out of our time when we shared together, instead of flipping through the pages on the zoom call searching for that revelation!

So, I set out to design a one page, double-sided worksheet for us all to use.

This worksheet is what inspired me to start my private Facebook group and hold Worksheet Masterminds session to help others create their own worksheet. In turn, this allowed me to start the Worksheet Mastermind Challenge.

Continue reading below to learn how to use the BookMark.

Introducing…

To Begin > print

Download the BookMark and print it out double-sided on an 8.5 x 11” (letter size) paper and fold it like a tri-fold brochure.

Step 1 > Start

Before you start reading your book, fill out this first section of the BookMark. Record the following:

• Tile of the book

• Author of the book

• Date you will start to read your book

• Mark how excited you feel about reading this book

Step 2 > While you read

While you read jot down any notes that felt important to you. To help you decide what to write, mark down your notes under the following categories:

• I want to remember this…(what you would want to recall back on).

• My favourite quote…(specific phrases in the book that made a lasting impression).

• My breakthrough…(your aha moment that you want to capture).

• I loved this part…(what filled your heart).

• My key takeaway…(a message that you learned or understood).

• My personal insights…(record your thoughts of how it personally relates to you).

You can also mark the page that you are referring to in your book to reference later.

Step 3 > PERSONAL ReflectIONS

This section includes an affirmation as a reminder for you to be present while you read and listen for nudges calling you to grow. It also reminds you to reflect back on every section of your book and ask yourself…

• What did I learn?

• How can I grow, help others and help the world?

• What do I want to learn more of?

Step 4 > Take action

Here is where you can record anything you need to do or act on right now and apply to your life. If it is something you need to do at a later time, there is a check box to mark off once you completed your work.

Step 5 > Finish

Once you are done reading your book, record the date and mark down how much you enjoyed the book. Then to summarize your experience of the book, write down:

• How you would explain it to a friend.

• What change in attitude (or reframe) did the book instil?

Then mark down your YES or NO response to the following:

• Would I want to read this book again?

• Would I recommend it to a friend?

• Do I want to learn more about this topic?

• Do I want to learn more about this author?

I don’t have the answer as to why more books are not workbooks. But, I worked on a solution. The Do The Work Books BookMark. Oh, did I mention you can also use it as a bookmark while you read? Or did you already pick up on that?! Leave it in your book between the pages as you read. Write on the worksheet as you go along while reading through the book. Then, when the book is done, you have a keepsake to refer back to. Especially if it is a borrowed book or if you lend it to a friend (and you never get it back) you now have the most precious parts of the book. All because you took control and marked it down!

And THAT is what to do if what you are reading is NOT a workbook.

I had so much fun creating this worksheet for myself, sharing it with my reading group and now introducing it to you. I can’t wait for you to use and mark in it while you read the next book that is not a workbook! If you have any questions or comments, I would love to hear from you, so please reach out! Thank you!