On Reading

  

One of the most important steps in personal development is reading. What does it matter if you haven’t read a book in the last ninety days? As Jim Rohn said, “The only thing worse than not reading a book in the last ninety days is not reading a book in the last ninety days and thinking no harm was done.” Since I dedicated my life to personal development the most important thing I have done is become a great reader. I always have to be reading something. If I go a day without reading I feel like I have lost something. I feel I wasted a chance to learn something new, and now I am a day behind applying it.

   Before I purchase a book or get it from the library I always ask myself, “How can this book help me?” If I don’t think there will be any value I don’t get it. Sometimes I read the whole book, sometimes I only read half, and sometimes I dive into it and read it over and over for a couple weeks until I have gotten everything I need from it. Sir Francis Bacon said, “Some books should be tasted, some devoured, but only a few should be chewed and digested thoroughly.” The important thing to figure out is which one is that.

  

Why don’t people read?

   97% of people don’t spend time reading. I am not talking about reading tabloids or the negative newspaper. I am talking about reading to improve your life. Reading is enjoyable, but it is something that you must do to get where you want in life. Otherwise how do you learn? Sure there is life experience and learning from that, but many times books can keep you from making some egregious errors in your life if you just took the time to read.

   It’s interesting to see people spend all their time exercising and making their bodies look great, but they never pick up a book to begin completing the package. There are only a few careers out there that only require a good body. “Reading is to the mind what exercise is to the body.” ― Joseph Addison. This is so true. If you don’t build up your mental muscles it will put a limit on who you can be.

   Maybe you don’t read because you finished school and just don’t see the need for it anymore. You think because you have a degree or a diploma that it is enough. It’s not.

   I have heard people say it’s boring, or even worse that they don’t have time to. You make time to eat don’t you, or go shopping? It’s amazing what you can find time to do when you want to. 30 minutes a day isn’t that much. If you have kids then get up before they do to get your reading in, or if they take a nap.

   All these reasons are just excuses. The bottom line is that people don’t want to. I am amazed at how many people don’t read. They just don’t want to take the time. It’s a mystery.

 

 

   I had always enjoyed reading. At the time I read fiction, Christian books, and many others. Then I read Think and Grow Rich by Napoleon Hill. It is the bestselling personal development book of all time and I know why. That book changed everything for me. It showed me how to think about my life and what I needed to do to change it. It also gave me tools and strategies to get the most from it. The book was mind-blowing.

   That began a lifelong journey of personal development. After I read that book I couldn’t read fast enough. That was the problem. I wasn’t applying what I was learning. I had learned a lot, but I was still in the same place. Then I began really studying. I got everything out of books I could. I took notes in my journal, I extracted quotes from them, and then my life began changing.

   The way I thought about myself, and I how I dealt with people all changed. I had a purpose. I knew if I could become the best person I could be then the sky is the limit. I am now totally committed to self-education and personal development. Some might say I am obsessed with it, and it all started with reading.

   I never had a mentor growing up and it always bothered me. I wanted someone to talk to and learn from. Books gave me those mentors. The opportunity to learn from great people was there. They became my mentors.

   Jim Rohn, John Maxwell, Abraham Lincoln, Napoleon Hill, George Washington, Benjamin Franklin, William James, Jack Welch, Jeffrey Gitomer, and Mary Kay Ash are just some of the people I have learned valuable life lessons from and it was all because of reading. I learned new things about myself, good and bad, on a daily basis and it was invigorating. All I wanted to do was read because I was learning so much. I finally had someone to help me.

   The confidence I have gained has been tremendous. That was always a big problem for me, but not anymore. I have become valuable because of what I have learned. The self-confidence I gained from learning has made me a different person. That’s where the value of reading comes in. It changes you. As author Dr. Seuss said, “The more that you read, the more things you will know. The more that you learn, the more places you'll go.”

   Sounds simple, but it’s the truth.

 

How does Reading Help you?

   I have gone over ways of reading helping me, but how does it? What’s the big deal? Here are 6 ways that reading helps you.

 

1.       You discover new ideas – When you open a book the author has a place they want to take you because they have already been there. They have ideas in books that you haven’t thought of. You can find these ideas in fiction and non-fiction books. It doesn’t matter. However, you have to be looking for them. Sometimes they are hidden deep within the book. It’s your responsibility to find a shovel and dig out the gold, but don’t complain about the price of shovels. “Books are the quietest and most constant of friends; they are the most accessible and wisest of counselors, and the most patient of teachers.” ― Charles William Eliot

2.       Self-Education – You will learn about yourself from reading. I know I did. When I read fiction now I look at it a whole new way. How would I handle the situations the characters are in? What would I do? You also can read books that will expand your knowledge base. If you want to learn more about auto repair read a book about it and go out and apply it. Use what you learn. Don’t just keep it in. The biggest part of education is using what you learn otherwise it’s useless. Learning new things will inspire you to learn more new things and become even more educated. Jim Rohn said, “Formal education will make you a living, self-education will make you a fortune.”

3.       Gather information – Reading can allow you to gather up information on a subject. If you want to do something different with your life then read about it. Gather up the information necessary to learn more. Research is critical before any endeavor and the way you gather information is by reading. Good luck gathering information without it.

4.       Explore New Worlds – When you read a great book you go into that world. I remember reading Red Storm Rising by Tom Clancy and I felt like I was back in the Navy fighting the good fight. You are right there if the author has done their job. You can visit new places by reading. You can visit places that don’t exist except in your mind. The author lays the framework, but you create the place.

5.       Inspiration – Books will inspire you. They can give you a feeling that you can do everything a character does, or give you the tools for life change. Think and Grow Rich has inspired me a great deal and it still does to this day. When you realize you can accomplish something it inspires you to try. Go with it. If the book inspires you to start a business then what are you waiting for? Don’t just think about it and put the book away. Do something. Let the author’s words carry you.

6.       Learn about People – I love biographies. I love learning about people who had an impact on the world around them. I like to read about what they did and how they handled situations in their life. How they made it, or how they bounced back. You can learn so much from biographies.

 

The mystery to me is that biographies and personal development books are written by people who tell you how they have achieved great things and you still don’t read and then wonder why your life is a mess.

 

All you have to do is read. That simple.

 

   There are times when you don’t want to read, but as Oscar Wilde put it, “It is what you read when you don't have to that determines what you will be when you can't help it.” These moments are the best to me. I found some of my most profound learning has come when I wasn’t in the mood to read and two hours later I was inspired, and more educated.

   This is why it needs to be done. There are always important things that need to be done that you don’t feel like. Make reading a priority. You will be amazed at what happens when you don’t have any expectations.

 

3 Questions to ask yourself

 

   When you read a book you should ask yourself three questions:

1.       What did I learn?

2.       How did I grow?

3.       What can I share with others?

      You should be able to answer all three. The answers should be recorded in your journal. Make sure you get from the book as much as you need. Use the time wisely.

   What you learn is very important. If you aren’t learning anything valuable from the book then you shouldn’t spend time reading it. This of course is determined by what you consider valuable.

   How are you growing from what you read? Do you notice a difference after you apply some truths? Is your life taking a different turn? Ask yourself this.

   Finally you need to share the ideas you learn from others. If you share the idea with ten people they get to hear it once and you get to hear it ten times. How valuable is that? Always be willing to share with people what is impacting your life. Stand up!

 

Getting Started

   Hopefully after reading this you have decided to change your life through reading. If you don’t have much money reading is a good way to start changing that. The best place to begin is in the library. All you need is a library card. And you know the best thing about library cards?

 

THEY’RE FREE!

   It costs nothing to start reading and making total life changes. I love going to the library. I prefer to buy the books, but if I am in a bind I will always go to the library. The problem for me at the library is that I don’t leave with less than four or five books. I can spend an hour or two easy at the library. I just love being around books. They make me feel smarter. I agree with Saul Bellow who said, “People can lose their lives in libraries. They ought to be warned.”

 

   The other great thing about the library is that if you don’t like the book it costs you nothing to find out. You also get the books for two or three weeks, so there is plenty of time to read. Start today by going to the library, getting a card, and start you quest for self-education.

  

Building Your Library

   Once you get in the habit of reading it’s time to start building your own library. It isn’t a coincidence that successful people have a library in their home. Your library should show people that you are a serious student. It should have books of all different kinds. My library has nearly five hundred books in it. It is my pride and joy. I could lose any material thing in my life except my books. They mean everything to me because they remind me of the life journey I have taken.

   In order to start building your library you can start on the cheap. There are many websites that sell inexpensive books. One site I like is thriftbooks.com. You can buy books for $5 and the shipping is free. Another inexpensive place to buy books is at a thrift store. I have bought books there for $2 or less in many instances. I have also had the fortune of finding some great books. Amazon has good prices too. I personally love Barnes and Noble. The books are a lot more expensive, but I easily get lost there for hours figuring out what to buy.

 

   Here are seven genres of books you can buy to get your library started. This isn’t a complete list, but it will help you get started:

 

1.       Instructional – Buy a how-to book. I wanted to learn about cars, so I went and bought books about auto repair. You can get books, on computers, starting a business, or just about anything else instructional.

2.       Historical – It’s important to know history. Why? Because you can learn so much about the human spirit when you find out about the challenges and discoveries that have been made.

3.       Spiritual – Get in touch with your spiritual side. I have found that learning about different faiths has taught me a lot and helped me grow in my own faith.

4.       Personal Development – Make sure you get books that will help you grow personally. Personal Development books will help you find yourself and teach you new ways to live your life.

5.       Fiction – You can get so much from a great story. You can model yourself after characters who achieve great things. You can also learn valuable life lessons.

6.       Biographies – Learning about people and how they lived their life is so valuable. Read about people who have made their mark in the world good and bad. You can get just as much reading about Ronald Reagan as you can about Adolf Hitler. Read about the good people and the bad.

7.       Philosophy – In order to develop your own philosophy it’s vital that you read about it. Philosophers are great thinkers. They can show you ways to think about things and give you a better understanding about how your mind works.

 

   This should give you a template to begin your own wonderful library. Author Jane Austen valued her library when she said, “I declare after all there is no enjoyment like reading! How much sooner one tires of anything than of a book! -- When I have a house of my own, I shall be miserable if I have not an excellent library.” Get your library started today.

 

The Time to Start is now

   It takes no effort to open a book and begin reading. Start with just 30 minutes a day and work your way up. Once you get started with the habit of reading great books you won’t want to stop. Reading will truly change your life. You will get fired up when you read a book and begin adding valuable knowledge to your mental arsenal. There are recommended books on the home page of the blog. Start there if you want to. Do some research and find the books you are interested in. Don’t waste any more time watching bad re-runs on television. Give yourself the best chance to succeed. Read.