3 Ways to Get the Reading Habit

Og Mandino was giving a speech one time about how to be successful. In that speech, he said that although most people had gone to school for upwards of 12 years, they had never been taught how to be successful; they had not had a class on positive mental attitudes, how to set goals, how to handle achievement, or anything else of this nature. However, that schooling was not wasted, he said, because school did teach us the most critical skill of all: how to read. Benefits of Having a Reading Habit Reading, in my opinion, is the first tool of success. By that I mean that you must be able to read effectively in order to learn all the other things you need to be successful. Why is that? Because most people do not personally know a very successful person well. Study after study has shown that only 1 in 20 people are truly successful, so the chances are that you do not have a personal friend in that group. This means that you cannot be personally taught by a successful person on how to be successful; if you want to learn from them, you must get the information some other way. That way is by reading. Reading is also an excellent tool for improving the mind and spirit. By reading good books, inspirational books, you can improve the mind by exercising the powers of visualization and belief. Unlike videos, reading forces you to make the pictures yourself, which exercises this creative talent. You can improve your spirit by letting the words of others excite your imagination and belief in yourself. These are powerful tools in your path towards success. Method 1: Scheduling a Reading Time When I was first starting, I was told to set aside a period of time for reading. It did not have to be long;: 30 minutes is an excellent starting time. One of the best times for this scheduled reading is just before you go to bed. That way, the words you read can simmer in your mind while you sleep. But that is not the only time you can set. Many people have suggested reading for 30 minutes at the beginning of the day so you can think about and analyze what you read as you go through the day. In addition to starting with a short period, you need to make that reading a daily routine. Keep a diary of your reading, just notating when you read. You can include any quick thoughts about what you read, but do not make this a big thing. Daily, consistent, short reading times are more effective than some major effort. Remember, we are not trying to create a massive change; we are trying to establish a habit. Method 2: Carry a Book Carry a book with you at all times. Keep the book in your briefcase, in your purse, in the pocket of your jacket, in you backpack. Just make sure that it readily available. That way, when you have a some spare time, like in a waiting room, standing in line, or waiting in your car for a friend, you can pick the book up and read a page or two (do not read while waiting at a stop light, please). Make sure the book can be read just a page or two at a time, so keep it simple. As an example, you might look at "Chicken Soup for the Soul" by Jack Canfield; each of the stories is a page or so, but the lessons are invaluable. Method 3: Start with Good Books Many people do not get the reading habit because they start with the wrong type of book. They pick a book on a hobby or that is part of their work or some other particular subject. The reason this does not work is while the information may be useful, the writing is often not the best. Instead, pick a book that is well written. Let the skill of the author be your guiding factor, not the subject matter. You can get specific information later; initially, you are trying to get the reading habit. Pick books that are easily read rather than informative. Find someone who reads a lot, at work, a friend, or a fellow student. They will probably know of some books that are well written, and they can make recommendations. You can also look at web sites that are focused on reading for their recommendations. If you want, feel free to contact me; I have helped many people start their reading habit this way, and I would be glad to help you as well. When someone recommends a book to you, make them a commitment to read that book. In other words, be accountable to them. This is not like a school assignment, but if you have told someone you will do something you are more likely to do it. You will have some feeling of obligation towards that person, and that feeling will inspire you to do the task. Who knows? This could be a beginning of a mastermind group for you. Wrapping Up Reading is a key habit. Talk to anyone who has been successful, and they will mention reading as a significant component to their success. Success leaves clues, and reading lets you find those clues, even from people you have not met. Track success down, and make it yours.