The Ultimate Reading Habit for Achieving Success
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Chapter 1: The Transformative Power of Reading
A few years back, I found myself in a tough spot. My goal was to generate a full-time income through writing, which meant I needed to earn $2,500 each month to cover my expenses. Unfortunately, my efforts were not yielding results, and I struggled to find the motivation to write consistently for hours each day.
Describing my frustration would be an understatement. I felt like I was constantly hitting dead ends. Then, I stumbled upon a crucial piece of advice from Stephen King that significantly altered my perspective:
“If you want to be a writer, you must do two things above all others: read a lot and write a lot.”
This inspired me to increase my reading frequency, focusing mainly on books about writing, productivity, and time management. Remarkably, it wasn’t long before my writing career gained momentum, and I soon earned enough to cover my rent and grocery bills.
From my own journey, I’ve realized that immersing yourself in books can expedite your success. If you aspire to achieve your objectives, consider implementing the following strategies:
Section 1.1: Carve Out Time for Reading
Ryan Holiday advises always having a book handy, as this increases your chances of reading throughout the day.
“Carry a book with you at all times,” he suggests. “Whenever you find a moment, open it up. Avoid downloading games on your phone—that’s time you could dedicate to reading. Read during meals, while commuting, or waiting in line. This is vital work; don’t let anyone convince you otherwise.”
Let’s do some quick calculations. If you manage to fit in an additional hour of reading each day, that amounts to 365 hours over the course of a year. It’s clear that dedicating that much time to reading can significantly enhance your learning capacity. For comparison, a typical college student spends about 240 hours in class during a semester.
Section 1.2: Don't Stress About Costs
Books can often be found for mere cents at thrift stores. For instance, I recently visited a Salvation Army and found Meditations by Marcus Aurelius for just $3.
Additionally, borrowing books from your local library is a fantastic option. Libraries usually have a vast selection of titles and often allow members to download eBooks and audiobooks for free, making it incredibly convenient to access countless books without leaving home.
Chapter 2: Cultivating a Positive Reading Mindset
The first video, "Reading habits of successful people | Ankur Warikoo Books | Motivational Video," highlights how successful individuals incorporate reading into their daily routines and the impact it has on their achievements.
Section 2.1: Embrace the Possibility of Quitting
It’s perfectly normal to feel disinterested in a book occasionally. When this happens, don’t force yourself to continue reading something that doesn’t engage you. Instead, set it aside and look for a more captivating option. As Nick Douglas states in Lifehack:
“If a book doesn’t grab your attention after a couple of pages, it may be time to move on. You can always return if you’re curious about the ending.”
If a book fails to resonate with me, I simply choose to set it down and explore something else. This straightforward approach has allowed me to read over 85 books this year alone. At this pace, I anticipate completing around 120 books by year-end.
Section 2.2: Discover Your Purpose for Reading
“Reading is escape, and the opposite of escape,” Nora Ephron once noted. “It allows us to reconnect with reality after a day spent in creativity, and to engage with someone else’s imagination when our lives feel mundane.”
People read for various reasons—some seek knowledge, while others want to break free from the routine of daily life. Ultimately, the key is to identify a compelling reason to read and to immerse yourself in as many books as possible. Anne Lamott sums it up beautifully:
“Books are as important as almost anything else on earth. What a miracle it is that out of these small, flat, rigid squares of paper unfolds world after world after world, worlds that sing to you, comfort and quiet or excite you. Books help us understand who we are and how we are to behave. They show us what community and friendship mean; they show us how to live and die.”
The second video, "What Happens When You Start Reading Every Day | Reading Habits of Successful People | Shagun Agarwal," explores the profound effects that daily reading can have on personal and professional growth.
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