The Case for reading.

The Obsession | Edition - 035

A recent discipline I have been trying to improve at is reading.

I think reading is very overlooked as an important skill. About 40% of Americans have not read a book in the last year. You want to do more than most? Read one book.

Most successful people I know have books they swear by as game changers for their lives. I mean Bill Gates has an entire website dedicated to the books he reads called Gates Notes.

Here is what I have found makes reading easier for me.

Reduce the barriers.

I had to remove every barrier to make it as easy as possible. I tend to read at night before bed. But I found that keeping the lights on and needing to have my glasses or contacts in was a major barrier to me actually picking up a book.

So I got a Kindle. It's a paper display so it's non-stimulating, and it has a backlight so I can read in dark places like in bed or on a plane. It has most definitely increased my number of days reading.

If something is getting in your way, fix it. Make it easy on yourself.

It can be anything.

Don't think you have to spend all of your time reading self-help books. Pick up anything you think will be interesting. I tend to love historical books because they read just like a novel.

I also think reading gets your creative juices flowing. You're picturing the words on the page in your head as if it were a movie. I think that process your brain goes through is beneficial no matter what the book is.

It forces you to slow down.

In a world that is so fast-paced, it is good to take a step back and slow down. Especially before bed.

I mean even TikTok has a function where you can watch reels at 2x speed. That is ridiculous. Our attention span is so short we can't even focus for a 30-second video.

Reading is a slow process. Even if you're a fast reader, it is slow compared to watching a movie or scrolling social media. I think that slowed-down process is good for your ability to learn. Taking the time to slow down in one area helps you learn faster in others.

What is a book you have read this year?

The Weekly 3

1) One Question I Asked Myself

What barrier am I letting get in the way of a habit I know would be good for me?

2) One Idea That Shifted Me

You don't have to read self-help books to get something out of reading. Just pick up something interesting. The process of slowing down and picturing the words in your head is the benefit.

3) One Challenge to Take Into Your Week

Read for 15 minutes before bed this week instead of looking at your phone. It doesn't matter what it is. Just start.