Read To Live. Live to Read.
For all of my rants that make me feel like a curmudgeonly luddite, I embrace and love the incredible time in which we live. There is more creation and consumption from a more diverse pool of talent than ever before.
Not only is the printed word more widely distributed, and through self-publishing, there's no need for the large book companies to form our opinions and reading lists. Add in the advent of eReaders and the incredible proliferation of blogs and writing on the internet we have so much to consume, it's beautiful.
As study after study show (and here comes the curmudgeonly luddite), while we may be reading more and more, consuming more and more...we are actually not processing and adding to our knowledge. We've become creatures of habit - only able to process small chunks of information before becoming distracted. Instead of our knowledge growing, we have shifted our skill to be able to find information, not store information. If you want an incredible account of this in its frightening glory, check out the book The Shallows.
Books allow our brains to downshift into a world of knowledge and learning without the distractions of beeps, boops, pop-ups and notifications. When we read things on the internet, the brain doesn't have time to settle into the subject. We are fixated on what is behind that hyperlink, the flashing ad for weight loss (oh yeah, beach season is coming up, I should check it out), and that stupid red dot that notifies me I got a message.
The act of sitting with a book and reading triggers all sorts of complex neurological reactions that only come from the activity of reading. It's staggering to considering this issue from a brain development perspective. Once again, I won't go too deep into it, but there is comprehensive proof of the benefit of actually reading a book.
When I'm having conversations with peers and potential hires, I'm always interested when we get on a topic...and I will usually ask probing questions. Unfortunately, people's knowledge is only surface level. How much can you learn reading a blog post or two?
We as a society are knowledgeable about a very broad set of topics, but our knowledge and understanding of those topics is shallow.
When you read a book, you are spending hours on that single topic, and so you get to dig in. Since you will spend multiple sittings with that book, you also have the interim time to digest information, talk about it with others, think about it...and then go back and read more. This whole process of reading does so much more to our brain's ability to store information as well as the more hidden benefit of connecting new synapses' so that we tie together facts and opinions in new and unique ways.
The best part? Once you read a book, once you learn that topic ...it can never be forgotten or unlearned. It's your knowledge...forever.
Here's a bold statement for you: I've never met a successful executive who didn't have a voracious appetite for reading.
So my challenge to you is to make reading a habit. For most of us, it's not a new habit, but coming back to a time where reading was a necessity. There are so many incredible books that it's a shame to not partake in this publishing revolution.
Also, you don't have to read for hours every day. Start with a chapter a night. In good time your muscles will flex and you will naturally read more. Investigate new areas and topics, subjects, authors that are outside of your regular reading list. Some of my most profound connections have happened when I was reading off the beaten path books that aren't in my wheelhouse.
At the same time, especially when restarting this habit, don't be a hero. If a book bores you, doesn't click or resonate with you, don't push the fact. I find that books fit specific moods and environments - so a book you may struggle with today could be the right answer for quenching your knowledge thirst tomorrow. Any above all…enjoy the ride.
(PS. visit your local library - it's an incredible place!!)