Reading

     In this day and age when studies, research, polls and statistics occupy such a prominent place in our society I have decided that rather then hit you with more of that I would just talk about my own experience and that of those I have learned from.  If you need proof, then go to google and search for why reading is good for you.  Everything I mention here does have scientific backing though.  My goal is to give you something that you can use everyday that will help you to become a better you and have a more wonderful life.

     I have been spending time considering how to approach the reason or "motivation" for reading.  Many people overlook this because it seems so simple.  In fact, it's one of the most difficult tools in the toolbox.  Here is why I believe that.  Let me make a basic comparison.  Most people watch television.  They tell themselves that it serves a purpose, news, education, information, just to name a few.  But in fact they spend hours sitting there doing nothing and letting the TV control what they think about the world around them and how they are supposed to think about themselves.  Reading has the same potential as the television.  The only difference, and this is important, major difference, between them is YOU have total control over what you read and NO control over what you watch.  Oh, I know what you are thinking right now, you have the power to turn the TV on and off, or selecting a channel or show.  Not really.  Here is how you should be thinking about your TV.  If it isn't feeding you, it's killing you.  If it isn't providing you with new information about how to improve your life, motivate you, inspire you, educate you, and most important, helping you be more productive and successful in all areas of your life then it is eating away at your life and will eventually kill you.  Television leaves nothing to your imagination at all.

     Here are some simple steps to help you determine if your TV is poisoning your mind and not feeding it.  If you do not know how much time you spend in front of your TV each day, week, month and year, then you need to stop it.  If you spend more time in front of your TV then you do in front of your family, friends and business associates/clients, then you need to stop it.  If you pay more for your TV/cable/satellite then you do for personal development and improvement, including motivational, educational and business/sales training, then you need to stop it.  Lastly, if your "entertainment" is more important then your communication skills, social skills and relationship skills, then you need to stop it.  What should you replace the TV with, reading.  All of this also applies to sports and video games.

     Reading is TV for the mind.  Your imagination is the best TV set you will ever own and the best part, it is free.  You get to select what images and sounds you see and hear.  You even can imagine smells, tastes and touch.  What more can you ask for, really.  Reading allows you to create new ideas and learn new ways of experiencing life everyday.  You can read whenever you want as well as anywhere and everywhere.

     One of the most effective ways to learn is to read out loud.  Read to yourself or to someone else, it does not really make that much of a difference.  Something happens when you read out loud.  In fact, a whole lot of things happen when you read out loud.  First of all, it helps to increase your self confidence.  It helps to improve your public speaking skills.  It improves your vocabulary.  It helps you find out who is actually listening to you, how important is that?  Most importantly, by reading out loud, you actually increase your ability to remember what you are reading.  Reading a book more then once is a must if you want to learn what you are reading.  Taking notes, on a piece of paper/device or in the margin, makes a huge difference on how well you will retain what you are reading.  Reading before you sleep at night will help you get a good night sleep.  The news is full of what is wrong with the world and books are full of what is right with the world.  Reading is one of the most relaxing habits you can have.  Books will help you focus on your dreams and goals.  Books can be one of the most important catalysts to solving problems and challenges.  Others point of view through books changes your own perspective.

     Here are some tips on how to get the most from reading.  Read one chapter a day or at least fifteen minutes.  Read just before you go to sleep.  Read sitting up in a comfortable chair or propped up in bed.  Read books that provide you with motivational, inspirational and educational content.  Read books that apply to your daily life such as your family, job, business or career.  Mix them up.  Read a technical book and then a skills developing book and after that a book of stories of those who have achieved what you are after in your life.  Read more then one book at a time.  Read books that have inspired your family and friends.  Read biographies.  There are hundreds of book lists out there, find one and read the books on that list.  I have a book list that I use.  I get one book a month sent to me via a subscription.  If you'd like to know more about that list, let me hear from you in the comments.

     I have some final comments about reading.  I'd like to encourage you to do a thirty-one day challenge.  Read everyday during those thirty-one days.  If you forget, start over.  It has to be consecutive days.  Test your life against what you are reading.  If you notice a change for the better, then I'd say you have been successful at the challenge.  If you do not notice a change in your day to day experience, then I might suggest that you have been flubbing on the challenge or maybe even reading the wrong sort of books.  Successful people read, business people, sales people, leaders of companies, groups and clubs.  Teachers, students and parents.  All successful people who have become financially independent credit reading as a major part of there success.  If you want to have a more wonderful life, read!

     Here is a short list of books that have inspired, motivated, educated and broadened my perspective of the world around me and helped me better understand those around me as will as improved my communication skills, social skills and relationship skills.  My sincerest wish is that you will find one or more of them extremely helpful to you as well.

How to Win Friends and Influence People by Dale Carnegie.
How to Have Power and Confidence in Dealing with People by Les Giblin.
See you at the Top by Zig Ziglar.
The Magic of Thinking Big by David J. Schwartz.