Building a Reading Habit
So far, the total number of books I ever completed in a single year stands at 120. Admittedly, there was a time when I only managed to finish five books in a whole year, a fact that I find somewhat embarrassing. However, I strive to maintain an average of one book per week, totaling 52 books annually. Emphasis on the word ‘strive’. Hahaha.
Consistency in reading boils down to self-discipline. While some may argue they lack the time to read, they often find ample time for social media consumption. They get glued to those mini white screens watching a croaking frog or a dancing bunny.
Proven
According to Yahoo Finance, Nigeria ranks highest in terms of time spent on social media, averaging 4 hours and 31 minutes daily as per the Digital 2023: Global Overview Report. Isn’t that scary? It’s an average of 2 hours and 30 minutes spent on social media daily globally.
What if you decide that before you dive into social media each day, you would pick up a book and read for at least 30 minutes? I bet your life will never remain the same. Going forward, let your canon be “No Reading, No Social Media”.
You need to read. Read more perhaps. I do too. Don’t we all?
The Importance of Reading
Learning extends far beyond acquiring certifications in traditional classrooms or even online. It’s a process that fundamentally reshapes the way we think, influencing not just our perspective but also the quality of our decisions. This transformative aspect of learning transcends mere accumulation of knowledge; it’s about refining our entire cognitive framework. As Albert Einstein aptly stated, “Education is not the learning of facts, but the training of the mind to think.”
Read and think. Think and read up on some of your findings. Learning is a holistic endeavor that cultivates critical thinking and problem-solving skills essential for navigating the complexities of life.
How to Start Reading
I know you are probably taking a course right now, or attending classes somewhere. It still doesn’t stop you from embracing the discipline of reading a chapter of a book daily. Again, what if you could read for 30 minutes every day? Not once or twice a week, not just when you have time cos you never do hahaha. You have to be more deliberate about it. You’ve got to prioritize and schedule it. It’s not enough to read articles and papers here and there, books are different. Don’t ask me how, LOL. Someone once said, “I prefer videos — I don’t like reading.” I marked his face so I could avoid him like a plague next time. Read! Let there be a book you are reading at every point in time and read wide. We’ve talked about embracing a multi-modal form of learning, haven’t we? Perhaps you need to read the first edition of this newsletter.
Consider this: depending on the word count or page length, one could complete an average of 30 to 50 books per year. A standard book typically ranges from 40,000 to 80,000 words.
To illustrate, let’s calculate the time required to finish a 50,000-word book, assuming a reading (and comprehending) speed of 250 words per minute and dedicating 30 minutes daily to reading:
Total reading time = Total words / Reading speed
Given:
Total words in the book = 50,000 words
Reading speed = 250 words per minute
Reading time per day = 30 minutes
First, let’s determine the number of words read in 30 minutes:
Words read per day = Reading speed × Reading time per day
Words read per day = 250 wpm × 30 minutes
Words read per day = 7,500 words
Next, we calculate the total days required to finish the book:
Total days to finish = Total words / Words read per day
Total days to finish = 50,000 words / 7,500 words per day
Total days to finish ≈ 6.7 days
Imagine if we could enhance our reading speed and comprehension, or devote one to two hours daily to reading. Would it not make a significant difference? A revered mentor spent $6000 learning speed reading. He said he could read 600 words per minute and retain 90% of what he read. Invest in yourself. Start from where you are. If all you can do right now is 150 words per minute, do it consistently. You can improve reading comprehension over time as you read and practice daily.
Of course, it’s not just about the number of books you read, but how we apply the knowledge gained. Who says you can’t read more and apply more by the way? Just start!
Huh! Take a cue from one of the best: Warren Buffett reportedly dedicates 5 to 6 hours daily to reading various materials, ranging from newspapers and magazines to company reports and biographies. His commitment to continuous learning underscores the importance of prioritizing education and information acquisition in our daily lives.
What are your thoughts? Kindly share in the comment section
