How To Become A Reader

Three Tips For Changing Your Relationship With Reading

Many people want to read more. But most adults actually read quite a lot everyday. We read the news, emails, texts, tweets, and many other forms of writing. When people say they want to read more, I think what they really mean is at least two things. First, they want to read more meaningfully. Second, they want to become a reader.

It is possible to read a lot without receiving much benefit. There is no amount of reading the “terms and conditions” of a recent purchase that will enrich your life. What we read matters.

A common mistake that people make when they want to read more meaningfully is to simply choose a great book. Although it is true that reading great books is an important part of reading more meaningfully, in order to receive their benefits, you need to first become a reader.

There is a difference between someone who reads and what I call “a reader”. A reader is someone who truly enjoys and values reading. Becoming a reader is a kind of identity change. It requires more than simply choosing quality things to read. It requires becoming the sort of person who finds reading valuable and interesting. How can you become a reader? Here are 3 tips that have helped me on my journey to becoming a reader.

1) Read things you are interested in.

It is important to read things you are truly interested in and not choose to read or avoid certain topics because of what other people will think. If you read what you enjoy, it is much more likely that you will stick with it.

2) Challenge yourself, but within reason

There are different levels of reading. If you only read things that are too easy, you will never grow. If you only read things that are too hard, you will never grow. Read things that are interesting to you but comfortably challenging and thought-provoking.

3) Expect to be uncomfortable

We are living in the most distracted age in human history. The result is that sitting down and reading a book can be an uncomfortable and difficult experience. You should expect to feel somewhat uncomfortable even if you are reading something you enjoy. Keep going past the discomfort, and you will begin to feel the pleasures of reading.