This year I made it a mission to read as many books as I can. It not only helps me read better when I’m at work, but it also helps me have more interesting and intellectual conversations with a spectrum of people.
I treasure books because you’re literally holding someone else’s ideas, thoughts, experiences, secrets, and so much more right in your hands.
Reading challenges your brain, increases your vocabulary, gives you things to think about, and all around just gives you a better outlook on life.
My personal favorite types of books are non fiction. I love learning more and more about politics, history, business, and even science. (Not my favorite but still interesting.)
For someone who has just recently fell back into reading, I had to find ways read more time efficiently and to actually get through a book before year 2022.
My goal for now is to actually read 2 books per month, then a book per week once I'm a pro.
I knew that I needed to change up my daily routine and make better habits to incorporate reading into my lifestyle.
Here are some of my tips if you’re looking to read more in less time:
I treasure books because you’re literally holding someone else’s ideas, thoughts, experiences, secrets, and so much more right in your hands.
Reading challenges your brain, increases your vocabulary, gives you things to think about, and all around just gives you a better outlook on life.
My personal favorite types of books are non fiction. I love learning more and more about politics, history, business, and even science. (Not my favorite but still interesting.)
For someone who has just recently fell back into reading, I had to find ways read more time efficiently and to actually get through a book before year 2022.
My goal for now is to actually read 2 books per month, then a book per week once I'm a pro.
I knew that I needed to change up my daily routine and make better habits to incorporate reading into my lifestyle.
Here are some of my tips if you’re looking to read more in less time:
Carry your book everywhere
When I say everywhere, I literally mean everywhere. I carry mine on a drive to the store in case I get stopped by a train, to the bathroom, to the gym, to lunch, anywhere I could have to wait (doctors offices are perfect). If I have even five minutes I am picking up that book. Nothing is worse than having to wait for something and knowing you left your book at home. I literally stick my book in my purse and make sure I grab that over my phone, which takes me into my next tip -
When I say everywhere, I literally mean everywhere. I carry mine on a drive to the store in case I get stopped by a train, to the bathroom, to the gym, to lunch, anywhere I could have to wait (doctors offices are perfect). If I have even five minutes I am picking up that book. Nothing is worse than having to wait for something and knowing you left your book at home. I literally stick my book in my purse and make sure I grab that over my phone, which takes me into my next tip -
Leave your phone behind
Put your phone in the other room, turn it off, shut it down, something. Your phone is the biggest distraction and once it goes off and your eyes are off of the book, you probably won’t pick it back up, realistically. Reading a book feeds your mind and soul ten times more than scrolling through pictures on Instagram or reading unintelligent Facebook posts criticizing everything under the sun. Reading helps you get lost in the moment and sometimes to me feels like a form of meditation. Its getting out of your mind and into someone else´s and if you are like me then one distraction can throw off everything. Being on social media too much has shown to cause depression, anxiety, and even give you bad eyes. Thats just more reason to read books when you are sitting around twittling your thumbs. You might see your life improve drastically not only intellectually but even mentally and emotionally when you start reading books more.
Put your phone in the other room, turn it off, shut it down, something. Your phone is the biggest distraction and once it goes off and your eyes are off of the book, you probably won’t pick it back up, realistically. Reading a book feeds your mind and soul ten times more than scrolling through pictures on Instagram or reading unintelligent Facebook posts criticizing everything under the sun. Reading helps you get lost in the moment and sometimes to me feels like a form of meditation. Its getting out of your mind and into someone else´s and if you are like me then one distraction can throw off everything. Being on social media too much has shown to cause depression, anxiety, and even give you bad eyes. Thats just more reason to read books when you are sitting around twittling your thumbs. You might see your life improve drastically not only intellectually but even mentally and emotionally when you start reading books more.
Find books that flow
If you pick up a book that has too big of a vocabulary for you or an ideology that you just can’t get behind then you need to keep looking. Different books appeal to different people and not every book is going to be for you. I have tried to force myself to read literature that was just realistically too smart for me. I figured I would work my way up to that. It’s okay to not understand certain books. If you read enough about the topic then eventually you will have a better understanding and read about it effortlessly. I started to read Liberal Fascism and the first chapter had to do with Mussolini. I for one have not studied up on him, so I couldn't even get through the first part of the book until I knew that back story. That just encouraged me more to read up on other topics, then when I am ready, I can pick that book back up and breeze through it. There is always something to learn and always something to know and that is the beauty behind a world full of literature.
If you pick up a book that has too big of a vocabulary for you or an ideology that you just can’t get behind then you need to keep looking. Different books appeal to different people and not every book is going to be for you. I have tried to force myself to read literature that was just realistically too smart for me. I figured I would work my way up to that. It’s okay to not understand certain books. If you read enough about the topic then eventually you will have a better understanding and read about it effortlessly. I started to read Liberal Fascism and the first chapter had to do with Mussolini. I for one have not studied up on him, so I couldn't even get through the first part of the book until I knew that back story. That just encouraged me more to read up on other topics, then when I am ready, I can pick that book back up and breeze through it. There is always something to learn and always something to know and that is the beauty behind a world full of literature.
Talk about books with people
Meet people who share a common interest in reading books like you. Not only can you exchange good book reviews and recommendations, but it can make you excited to read more and talk more about it. Sharing similar interests with someone can really indulge you and expand your inventory. Even joining a book club can bring you closer to reading and other people. You might find new genres that really spark your intellect and interest especially when you are presented with a book you would of never picked up yourself. Reading and talking about the things I have learned from books has expanded my conversations with all sorts of different people. I have even formed more extensive customer relationships with my clients because I can either relate or discuss topics with them that a normal 23 year old woman couldn´t. Having knowledge not only makes you look formally educated, but it also leads people to believe in your judgement and your educated opinions.
Meet people who share a common interest in reading books like you. Not only can you exchange good book reviews and recommendations, but it can make you excited to read more and talk more about it. Sharing similar interests with someone can really indulge you and expand your inventory. Even joining a book club can bring you closer to reading and other people. You might find new genres that really spark your intellect and interest especially when you are presented with a book you would of never picked up yourself. Reading and talking about the things I have learned from books has expanded my conversations with all sorts of different people. I have even formed more extensive customer relationships with my clients because I can either relate or discuss topics with them that a normal 23 year old woman couldn´t. Having knowledge not only makes you look formally educated, but it also leads people to believe in your judgement and your educated opinions.
Create a deadline
I literally take the pages in a book and divide them by how many I want to read in a day then pick a date that seems reasonable to complete by a deadline. I mark on my calendar when it needs to be done so even when I’m not caught up, I make myself read more pages for days I might of been slacking. If you write down your goal, you more than likely will achieve it. At first you may need to assign yourself deadlines, but once you make reading a habit and then a hobby, you will be reading without hesitation and indulged yourself into reading effortlessly for hours without the need to self discipline. If you are serious about wanting to read to better your life then this is something you might need to do. I had an awful habit of not picking up a book for a week or so in between reads. Now I make sure I have a book in hand for at least five minutes a day even on my busiest days.
I literally take the pages in a book and divide them by how many I want to read in a day then pick a date that seems reasonable to complete by a deadline. I mark on my calendar when it needs to be done so even when I’m not caught up, I make myself read more pages for days I might of been slacking. If you write down your goal, you more than likely will achieve it. At first you may need to assign yourself deadlines, but once you make reading a habit and then a hobby, you will be reading without hesitation and indulged yourself into reading effortlessly for hours without the need to self discipline. If you are serious about wanting to read to better your life then this is something you might need to do. I had an awful habit of not picking up a book for a week or so in between reads. Now I make sure I have a book in hand for at least five minutes a day even on my busiest days.
These are some of the things I had started doing to ensure that I am getting that book time in daily and achieving my book reading goals. I am hoping that some of these things you can apply to your own lives and get great results of out it. Reading as an adult is nothing like when you would have to read in school, and unfortunately too many people resent reading altogether.
As I read more and more books I will be sure to post some of my reviews and anything that I might highly recommend. Also, if you have any books you would like me to check out please DM or leave me a comment below!
Thank you for reading, and until next time.
-CFB
As I read more and more books I will be sure to post some of my reviews and anything that I might highly recommend. Also, if you have any books you would like me to check out please DM or leave me a comment below!
Thank you for reading, and until next time.
-CFB