About this quote

Books let you try choices other people made without paying the price yourself. They give you quick practice in decisions, reactions, and consequences you won't face in daily life. If you want to change how you act, read one book that pushes your thinking and write down two moves the main character makes differently than you would. Then test one small move the next time a similar moment shows up at work or home.

When to use it

• Before saying yes to a risky promotion at work I told my mentor, 'I've been reading leaders' memoirs—it's given me a clearer sense of the day-to-day before I jump in.'
• Picking a college major, I told my roommate, 'Read that biography of the scientist; it showed me what the lab life really looks like, so I didn't pick blind.'
• While packing books for my kid's long hospital stay I said to my partner, 'Good stories will keep him living other days while he rests.'
• Choosing between an expensive vacation and saving, I told myself, 'I'll read stories of those places first and see which trip I actually care about.'