Change your approach, improve your reading
The current action you are doing right now is reading.
But, have you ever considered why we even read in the first place?
Reading allows us to acquire knowledge and educate ourselves that contributes to personal development in our life.
It provides actionable tips to make progress in life and keeps us intellectually stimulated.
Essentially, It is a powerful tool for enhancing our personal development and skills.
But just like any tool, knowing how to use it effectively can maximize its benefits.
Just like a skilled craftsman who knows the tools to build a fence but lacks the necessary strategies which can cause accidents and injuries.
Similarly, a proficient reader who combines reading skills with an effective strategy can reduce such risks.
Investing in yourself is one of the most crucial things a person can do.
Whether that be through developing skills, and knowledge, experiencing success and failures.
This can be achieved by reading books, reliving the steps people had to tread in the past that contributed a beneficial impact on the world and the character they possessed can be very enriching for the mind.
Reading can inspire, and grasp your attention in ways such as the words were constructed and it was a perfect timing to hear what was being said.
This inspiration can lead to actions that could lead to transformation.
It can craft our perspective, supplement our prior knowledge, provide meaningful insights and enhances our understanding.
It can make you more informed about how the world works and how to hold a conversation.
So, let us not shy away from the potential reading can shape us and start learning how to take action.
Be Reflective in reading
To make the most of our reading experiences, it is essential to be reflective.
When we are studying we listen to lectures, podcasts, read textbooks or power points it can be a common experience to re-read what you read because you were not focused.
By immersing yourself into the information with engagement through asking yourself questions as you read along.
“What does this mean?”
“What can I understand so far?”
“What are the main points I just read?”
“What have I learned that I didn’t before?”
There can also be occasions while you read where a particular concept is mentioned but doesn’t go into much detail.
This is an opportunity for you to use the internet and actively be engaged in your material by looking it up.
“Reading without reflecting is like eating without digesting.” — Edmund Burke
Having a pencil to write down your thoughts when you have read a reasonable number of pages can be a way to organize your thoughts coherently and logically.
As it allows you to utilize the knowledge that you have gained before reading accompanied by what you read to generate an understanding.
It allows you to force your mind to be more attentive while reading, to retain more information and what you remember
Being able to articulate and construct words to describe your mental understanding of the idea can improve your ability to communicate concisely and clearly.
Be intentional
While reading is intentional what you are trying to achieve from it whether that be knowledge, understanding concepts or reading for comfort.
Because once you are acknowledging what you are intending to achieve from the book it allows you to respond appropriately by being more attentive and focused in your reading.
Reading for just reading because it’s meant to be good for you can cause you to not pay attention, not be consistent with reading and consider it as a burden
So changing your mindset towards reading change shapes how you approach a book.
Have a dialogue
Sometimes the knowledge used can have practical applications such as developing gratitude by using a journal or having a positive mindset towards personal development.
However, having a discussion with other people about what you read and your thought can allow you to identify weaknesses in your understanding and consider different perspectives of the same book.
This can broaden your horizon, improve your critical thinking, articulate your points and enhance your knowledge.
Final thoughts
With the overflowing information in the world, reading remains a timeless gateway to personal growth and enlightenment.
It can inspire us, expand our understanding and ignite our imagination. Remember that reading is a skill and you may come across difficulties with consistency so start small and be reflective.
Let the words you encounter leave an indelible mark on your mind and heart. So, pick up a book, immerse yourself in its pages, and let the magic of reading shape the person you become.
