Some people are in a habit of reading a lot. Some people think of it as the punishment they had to endure during school. I, myself, never found reading all that "fun" or even something I would do unless it was required. Even then, I would try and find ways to limit the amount of reading (shout-out to Cliff's Notes). That isn't right. I understand things a little differently now.
Follow this logic for me: Reading leads to Information, Information leads to Knowledge, Knowledge leads to Power. If you aren't rich, this is the way to doing what you want, whether you want to be a musician, engineer, teacher, or lawyer. This is the basis of formal education, reading.
So, one of my resolutions for this year is to read more, and I urge everyone else to do the same. Learn. Be informed. Sit down for 10-15 minutes a day and read. Read a magazine, a blog or two, a newspaper, a book. Read for business, read for pleasure, read about controversial subjects, just read. Reading will spark your thoughts and those thoughts will lead to introspection. You will learn more about yourself and others.
Here are some tips I've learned over the years for those of you, like me, who would like to read more:
- Read when you are awake. I've learned that I can't read when I'm tired. I WILL fall asleep, which is fine if I want to go to sleep, but if I actually want to read, I need to do it during my "productive" hours of the day, not the early morning or late night, and not right after lunch.
- Read something that interests you. If you find yourself reading something just to read it, stop. Pick up something else. If you are reading just to get through it, it will make you not enjoy reading. This was what happened to me during my school years, especially high school. I never appreciated reading, cause I was never reading anything I wanted to.
- Learn to "speed read." This is an amazing thing. Whether it's getting through that old book for Literature class, or getting to the anticipated climax of a good book you're reading. I took a class from Sylvan in my late teenage years and was taught to speed read. It changed my reading capabilities dramatically. My speed quadrupled and my comprehension of what I read went up as well. You don't have to pay for a class unless you want to. I'm sure you can find tips on speed reading online, and if not, let me know, I'll do a follow-up post on it. Then, practice.
- Read with an open mind. Be open to new ideas and new ways of thinking. Life is full of change. Our world is constantly evolving and you hold yourself by not staying informed of new developments, changes, and theories. You don't have to agree with them, but you should know and understand their basis.
- Beware: not everything you read is true. Print is just like any other source of information. It isn't fact checked by FactCheck.org. Take everything you read into consideration and feel free to research more into what you question.
Have a Happy New Year everyone.
LIVE, LOVE, and Be HAPPY!!!
