Becoming A Better Reader

Hello Special!

Is it too late to say Happy New Year?

I hope not. But I do know that it's not too late in the year to form a reading habit. Which is why I’m proud of you for deciding to read more this year.  Welcome!

(Google photo)

BECOMING A BETTER READER

Today’s culture doesn’t exactly give you a trophy for being a reader. It’s almost like there are more important things to do/attend to. But guess who will thank you when you decide to pick up the reading habit? Your future self!

That’s right. Reading is an investment into your future, helps you to become wiser with life’s matters, and is a smarter way to pass time than scrolling through social media.

So how do you become an avid reader, especially if the thought of books does not currently get you excited?

1.     Start with what you like: What is that one thing that makes you happy whenever you think about it? Is it money? Business? Goals? Food? Health? Relationships? Fiction? God? Start there! Don’t try to impress anyone by reading a book you have no interest in. Begin with the books that call your name!

 

2.    Find a comfortable pace: It’s a marathon, not a sprint guys. You’re not reading to impress anyone. Do what works with your schedule. If you can only read five pages a day, go for it! And if you’re a one chapter a day kind of person, great! Just make sure if you’re just beginning, you read at a pace that is easy for you. They say little drops of water make a …? Exactly.

 

3.   Stick to it: You know that thing where you start something and you don’t finish? That’s not happening this year. After picking a book you like, and finding a pace that is comfortable for you, I want you to show up every single time for the reader you’re becoming. If your method is a chapter a day, make sure that even if all hell breaks loose on a particular day, you read that chapter. Capish?!

 

4.  Turn off the internet: Don’t even think of reading on your phone with the internet on. It’s a trap. Especially if you’re just starting this journey. The internet and social media are your worst enemies, and you will never concentrate on your book as long as notifications keep entering your phone. You don’t want your reading goals in the mud now, do you?  Then go offline when you read!

 

5.    Make friends with Bovers: “Bovers” is short for “Book lovers”. Hang around them long enough and three things will happen. One, you’ll get bitten by the same bug that bit them. This is beneficial if you’re looking to become one yourself. Two, they are a great source of book recommendations. Rumor has it that their recommendations are always spot on! Three, they can serve as your accountability partners. They’ll keep asking about the book you’re reading, (you better not say none) and you may have to beg them to not give you spoilers if they’ve read it already.

 

6.    Apply what you learn: This is the whole point guys! I hate to break it to you, but if you read without applying the knowledge gained to your life, you’ve wasted your time.  For instance, imagine someone reads Heartbreak 101 (a figment of my imagination, please) and it taught her how to avoid getting heartbroken. One of the rules was to ‘not get into intimate relationship with someone that does not share your core values,’ but she went and did just that. Crazy huh? It happens.

 

7.   Treat yourself: So you’ve begun to smash your reading goals? Celebrate with something you love. Don’t wait for anyone to give you credit. Buy yourself something nice, see a movie, or if you’re like me, get another book! Just make sure you have a reward waiting for you at the end of the targets you set for yourself. You deserve it. You’re growing.

 

C’est fini, guys!

These are the basics I believe you need to becoming a better reader, but there are more. What other things have helped you on your reading journey? I’ll like to know in the comments! Meanwhile, I’m rooting for those of you just starting. You can so do this!