Reading is truly at the center of the term "personal development." Isn't it interesting that most homes valued over $250,000 have a library? Jones says, "You're the same today as you'll be in five years except for the people you meet and the books you read." That should tell us something!
So why is reading important? Let me share some thoughts with you:
Reading opens up new worlds. Reading allows you to travel far away and experience different cultures, religions, places and people, and all through the pages of a wonderful book. At a fraction of the cost of actually going there - though I highly recommend travel as well - you can open up a new world with a simple visit to your local library or bookstore.
Reading opens up new ideas. There are so many ideas we have never even heard or considered. Yet, by picking up a little book, we can be confronted with ideas that can revolutionize the world around us. These are ideas that can change your finances, your family, your work, your attitude - your life! Reading allows you to receive ideas galore!
Reading allows you to interact with the greatest minds. You could gain incredible insights into the minds and ideas ofpeople like George Washington, Martin Luther King Jr., Winston Churchill, Mother Theresa, and Aristotle just by opening a book. Imagine being able to delve deeply into philosophy, politics, religion and more, with the greatest minds that have ever lived...all inside a book.
Reading challenges you. Sometimes we think we know it all. We think we have a tremendous grasp on a certain topic. But then, we read something that challenges us. It makes sense. It takes our preconceived ideas and shreds them. It pokes holes in our theories. It takes us on a line of reasoning we hadn't considered. And we are better for it, because someone took the time to expose us to something new--through his or her writing.
Reading reinforces our beliefs. We can open a book written by someone special, and as we read we remember why we believed in the first place. The book lays the groundwork of the thoughts we have. It reinforces our logic. It makes us strong and reminds us of who we are.
Reading rounds you out. Reading shows us what we don't know while at the same time teaches us what we must know. It strengthens us where we need to be strengthened. It shows us new ideas and places. And at every turn, reading never takes away from us, but only expands us, our horizons and our destinies.
Over the centuries books have brought hope to the masses. They have paved the way for rulers both good and evil. Books have been destroyed - burned and shredded - by the powers that be. Books have brought down cruel nations and rulers and obliterated social structures that have outlived their usefulness. They have inspired the individual. They have shared the private thoughts of the rich and the poor. They have shown us the way - the way to live and the way not to live.
By reading a little book (just a few hundred pages of paper bound together), we can open tremendous worlds for ourselves. What futures we bring to our lives. Amazing. Truly amazing.
Developing a Basic Reading Plan
I hope from the above you grasp how incredible I think reading can be!
Just like most things, reading requires a plan and the discipline to follow that plan. So here are some thoughts on developing a reading plan.
Do it daily and regularly. Set aside time each day. 15 minutes each day is better than an hour a week. And make sure it gets done, do it at the same time each day.
Prepare your mind. Get your mind in a calm and focused state so it can absorb the information you are about to make available to it.
Prepare the atmosphere. Don't try to read in a loud or dark room. Choose an atmosphere that is conducive to gaining knowledge.
Keep a journal. Take the time to write down what you are learning and how you can apply it.
Choose a variety of books. Don't just read one genre. Rotate through different books that come from different angles and make you take different approaches.
Interact with the authors as you read. Ask questions and then continue reading to see if they are answered. If you disagree, write it down. Write down examples of how the principles work or don't work. Make your reading as interactive as you can.
Read things that you might disagree with. Pick up a book by authors whose viewpoints you know you will disagree with. This can be a stretching exercise.
Above all: Do it. Go to the store. Buy books. Read them! Because the books you don't read can't help you!
Ten Books Everyone Should Read:
1. The Bible - the best selling book of all time tells the story of sin and redemption, the story of mankind, of despair and hope. It is quite literally the story of our lives.
2. Think and Grow Rich by Napoleon Hill - this is arguably the best personal development and wealth building book of all time. It belongs on everyone's bookshelf.
3. How To Read a Book by Mortimer Adler - this book will teach you to do just what the title promises - read a book for all it is worth so you come out the best you can be at the end.
4. As a Man Thinketh by James Allen - this book will ground you in the belief that whatever you believe you become. Based on the bible verse that teaches us the same principle: We are what we think.
5. The Richest Man in Babylon by George Clason. Written in parables, this is a classic on thrift, financial planning, and personal wealth. Everyone needs to read this book.
6. The Lessons of History by William James Durant. This book gives insight as good as any book on the changes that have taken place over time in economics, politics, military customs and more. Very insightful.
7. The Story of Philosophy by William James Durant. In this book, Durant summarizes the lives and influence of philosophy's greatest thinkers. This is very important for us, as we know that our philosophy determines how we live and what we achieve.
8. Seven Habits of Highly Effective People by Stephen R. Covey
9. Rich Dad Poor Dad by Robert Kiyosaki
10. The 360 Degree Leader by John C. Maxwell
Start with these ten books and then create your own "must read" list, and read, read, read. See where the journey of books takes you and how much further you can climb because of the growing stack of books under your mental feet. Let the books touch you, make you think, challenge your views and carry you to new horizons
Tips for improving your reading speed.
1. Read, read, read. Just like any task, the more you do it, the faster you can get.
2. Develop your vocabulary. The better you know the language, the easier it will be for you to read faster.
3. Don't move your lips while you read. It slows you down.
4. Don't make any noises while you read. It is your subconscious trying to read with you and it slows you down.
5. Don't read each word individually. That slows you down. Read groups of words together and your mind puts them together in logical order.
6. Sweep your hand gently and quickly through the middle section of the page and read as you go. Start slowly, practicing, and go faster and faster until you reach your highest rate.
7. Practice. Like everything, it takes practice. The more you do it the better you will get.
You can improve your memory. You can improve the rate at which you read as well as your comprehension. Use the tips above, put them into practice and in a short time you will see the desired results.