Table of Contents
A successful career learns from subsequent failures. Stories are an excellent source of inspiration in this regard. Stories have lessons told amusingly and effectively creating a lasting impact on us. Success is when you start enjoying the process more than the results. When you read stories to find the purpose they hide in them, you’re headed for a developing career. You value development more than the definement of something. Who doesn’t want to be successful in a career they choose or the career they are already pursuing? Each one of us wants success encircling us in every domain we venture into. But to objectify the results and ignore the process is not the means to be successful. For example, if you’re reading a book that is written by the CEO of a business tycoon, your motive should be to learn from the failures he or she made along the way than to read it because it is written by a business giant. The moment you will have a clearly defined purpose, more than half of your work will already be done. Fiction and nonfiction are two genres people often switch between. Those who are fond of fiction, when suddenly jumps to nonfiction because of the attractive cover and the cover photo, do not reach anywhere. This doesn’t mean one genre is better than the other, it simply means that you need to define your purpose of reading the book.
Fiction, a genre underrated
Simple instructions cannot create an impact as that of stories. We’ve grown up listening to stories. Tales of the Jungle Book, The Little Prince, Peter Pan, Panchtantra, and many more. It was for fun with the colorful illustrations in the book but all the stories had a significant purpose behind each of them that we realized later in life. They talk about friendship, honesty, innocence, the importance of being present and open to what we have in the present, broomstick adventures at night, strolling in a starry world, and whatnot. These little fables are full of life lessons, all you need is a perspective to look at it that way. Fiction is underrated for not being real, it is all imaginary but look at the beauty of the vast imagination of the one who wrote them. The reality of imagination is that it has no boundaries, it can let you stroll on the clouds and sleep underneath the ocean. There are no practical man-made limitations to it.
Non-fiction, a genre perceived as a hack to lead to a successful life
Non-fiction books are filled with amazing productivity hacks, lessons explained plainly, an amazing guide to reading, to transform your thinking style, your life. Non-fiction is generally preferred by the adult age group especially those who are in their 30s or late 20s, the younger generation is too bored to consume this literature. This is a trend seen in the majority of the crowd. Non-fiction is a productivity guide because it is filled with stories that led to failures with the lessons learned well, then showing the character to try it once again and become successful at it. Any non-fiction book will not just have tips to become the next business tycoon, but it will also have things to keep in mind or things to not do. To become successful in life, you must know what you should not do. When people read non-fiction for the love of learning lessons but are too lazy to apply them in their lives, it is no use at all. The genre is an ultimate guide to becoming successful but never judge a book by its cover, read it, go through it, page by page, and unfurl the lesson it has for you.
Which is better, fiction or nonfiction?
Both the genres are unique and extraordinary in their respective domains. Fiction has mythical stories and lessons whereas non-fiction has real-life experiences. But to say one is above the other will not do justice to either of them. One is a creation of an extensive thoughtful imagination, the other is a real flowing stream on its way to becoming the ocean.
Successful productive ideas can be hacked by reading both the genres
We are in desperate need to stand out from the crowd and to do that, we need to keep the following points in mind.
- All genres are good: To form preconceived notions about a particular genre will let you lose the grip for a peek at another dimension. You can’t learn without exploring and trying. Fiction has as much to teach us as there is in non-fiction.
- Perspective is the new frontier, not judgments: Read the book with an open mind. Outline your opinions, do not listen to what others have to say about a particular book or a genre. There are high chances of you disliking a book loved by many. What is preferred by the masses may not necessarily be your pick, provided you keep an open mind.
- Failure Stories are the foundation of success: Success will not necessarily lead you to success, you may reach the pinnacle of your career, you may get a platform to put your thoughts further, but that doesn’t mean you will not face failures further. Stories will teach you to embrace downfalls, learn from them and get up again. All genres will teach you the same lesson. And remember, never judge a book by its cover.
All genres are unique, there’s no point in calling one better than the other.
Also read: Why Students Fail in Exams
Frequently Asked Questions
Q 1. Is success defined by the genre we read?
Ans: Not at all. Success is how you perceive failures in your life and the stories mentioned in books and how readily you accept your faults and learn from your mistakes as well as others.
Q 2. Should we read a book to avoid the mistakes people have already made in their lives?
Ans: Yes. You do not have a life long enough to make all the mistakes. To reach somewhere, you need to learn from your past mistakes and the mistakes of others as well. Books are an excellent source to do that.
Q 3. Can the imaginary realm of fiction be experienced in real life as well?
Ans: Magic is visible to those who believe in it. Believe in the magic, believe in the stories, and learn from them you’ll see magic. You’ll float in the clouds on a thunderbolt.
