Why You Should Start Reading Now:
Reading has long been considered one of the world’s most pleasurable and accessible pastimes, but what many people don’t realize is that reading regularly can actually make you more successful in your career and in your personal life. Many of the world’s most successful leaders make time to read in their daily routine, even if it’s just for a few minutes each day. Incorporating reading into your routine can help you achieve your goals and be more successful in many aspects of your life. Here’s 10 reasons why you should start reading today if you aren’t already.
1. Reading increases your vocabulary, making you more articulate.
When you read, you are exposed to words and syntax that you wouldn’t be in your normal conversations with other people in person. Because of this, it’s one of the easiest ways to naturally increase your vocabulary, without extra studying or even a conscious effort. Having a large vocabulary and a good grasp of the language makes it much easier to speak articulately, which can benefit you immensely in your work. Having good communication skills, both verbally and through writing, is very impressive to potential employers and can help you stand out from your competition when looking for a job or a promotion. A good vocabulary will help you convey your ideas to others effectively, and it’s also a great way to impress clients, regardless of what industry you are in. Speaking articulately can even help you in your social life, because people love to listen to and converse with someone who speaks well.
2. When you read, you absorb invaluable information about the world around you.
Regardless of the subject of the book you pick up, reading is a great way to learn more about the world and be entertained in the process. This is because when you read, you are drawn into the perspective of the author, whether the book is fiction or non-fiction. This broad sense of knowledge will benefit you in many different aspects of your life. It will help you better understand people who are different than you, and it can also help you learn in-depth information about certain subjects if you choose. You can use this information to help you advance in a variety of different pursuits or just relate to the world around you in a more intelligent way.
3. Reading is a great way to de-stress.
In such a fast-paced world, it is very easy to get caught up in everything going on. When you’re very stressed out, it creates physical and mental tension that can interfere with your work life, social life, and even your ability to sleep and eat well. It’s very important to take time out of your day to relax and do something that’s personally satisfying, and reading fits the bill in many cases. Reading draws you into the plot or concept that you’re reading about, just like you might be drawn into a television show or movie. However, it pulls you in in a very stimulating and engaging way that is very different from watching something, and when you find a book you really love, it’s often more enjoyable, because reading is such an active pursuit. Relaxed, well-adjusted people are much more able to focus on their work, which makes them more likely to be successful.
4. Reading teaches you to focus.
With the prevalence of smartphones and computers in our daily lives, it’s become very difficult for many people to focus for long periods of time. There’s so much going on, and it’s easy to find yourself multitasking instead of really putting all your brainpower and effort into one task. People who read, however, tend to be much better at focusing for long periods of time. This is because it is very difficult to read while also doing something else, so it forces you to put down everything else and really immerse yourself in the book. When this skill is applied to other tasks, it increases productivity and makes you a very valuable employee. Readers also tend to be better at setting and achieving goals because of this increased focus. Good goal-setting skills are essential for success in life, so it makes sense that readers tend to be more successful than their non-reading counterparts.
5. Readers can see things from multiple perspectives.
One of the biggest requirements for success, particularly in industries like business or academia, is an ability to look at problems and social interactions from multiple angles. When you see things from only one perspective, it limits your creativity and understanding. This makes it difficult to develop relationships and solve challenges, both in work and at home. Reading helps you learn how to better understand other people and develop a sense of empathy for other situations. This is an incredibly beneficial skill that will endear you to others in many situations.
6. Readers tend to make more effective decisions.
Most people have experienced indecisiveness at some point or another in their lifetime and can attest to the fact that it is a major challenge to overcome on the way to success. However, readers often make more well-reasoned decisions than non-readers. This is because reading boosts your cognitive function, so it increases your ability to think through all of your options, consider the pros and cons, and make the best choice. Successful scientists, politicians, CEOs, and other leaders have to make several decisions a day and feel confident in them, so this ability will be very useful no matter what career you choose.
7. Reading exercises your brain and prevents cognitive decline.
There’s been a variety of research over the past few decades that indicates that if you don’t exercise your brain throughout your life, you will lose your ability to focus, solve problems, and think on your feet, among other things. This research often points to puzzles like crosswords or Sudokus as tools for preventing cognitive decline, but reading can actually have the same effect. People who make an effort to read daily or weekly are much more likely to remain sharp later in life. Even if you are young now, starting a reading habit can already put you ahead of the game. It often takes decades to build a successful career or successful personal ventures, and you will need to remain sharp to do your best and live up to your fullest potential.
8. Reading improves your logical and analytical skills.
Many people think of reading as an activity that can boost your creative skills, but it can also be very beneficial for increasing your logical skills as well. Strong active readers are very good at spotting patterns and analyzing cause and effect. Not only do these skills help you make the most out of whatever book you are reading, but they can also help you in your career. Being able to spot patterns in other people’s behavior is an invaluable skill in virtually any industry – it can help you target potential sales clients, see the scientific connections between research, or predict economic trends, just to name a few prominent examples. Good logical skills also tie into effective decision making, another skill we’ve mentioned previously that’s very important for success.
9. Readers have strong memories.
We’ve already mentioned how reading can boost your cognitive abilities in a variety of different ways. One of the cognitive benefits of reading that many people aren’t aware of is that it actually can improve your memory. While there’s not a specific reason as to why this is, it makes sense that reading flexes your memory muscle. Throughout any book, fiction or non-fiction, you’ll need to remember details that you picked up on earlier to fully understand what’s going on. This will subconsciously train your brain to remember details without having to make an active effort. A great memory will serve you well in many different ways throughout your career. It will help you better interact with coworkers and clients, remember skills you’ve already been taught, and learn from past mistakes, all of which are excellent abilities for any working professional to have.
10. Readers are open to trying new things.
One of the best things about people who love to read is they have a true curiosity and penchant for learning. They are always interested in what the next book has in store for them and where the words are going to take them. This can translate to real life in many different positive ways, because it makes you naturally more open to learning. People who are open-minded tend to have an easier time building a career, no matter what industry they are interested in. Open minded people can take on new tasks much more effortlessly, which makes it easier for them to learn new skills. Open minded people are also much more open to change, which is important both for your personal growth and for your value as an employee. Open-mindedness can also help you immensely in your personal life. People who are open minded tend to have a more diverse range of friends, and they are also better at problem solving in relationships.
If you’ve never been a reader, it’s actually very easy to get started. It doesn’t matter what you read – just adding reading to your routine at all can make a huge difference in your overall success in life. Start by picking a book that’s truly interesting to you, and if you aren’t enjoying reading something, put it down and try something else. When you read books that you really enjoy, it’s very easy to make reading a habit, because you will be very motivated to do it. Over time, you will get better at trying new books and sticking with a story, even if it takes a while to get into. Experiment with different genres of both fiction and non-fiction to see what strikes your fancy, because there truly is something out there for everyone. Schedule a few minutes of reading time into your day where you know you’ll be able to spare it. Whether that’s at the beginning of the day before going to work or right before you go to bed, having it on your calendar will motivate you to do it.
It used to be that you would have to physically go to a bookstore or library to choose your reading material, but with the prevalence of technology, it’s now easier than ever to read while you are on the go. There are tablets that are designed specifically for reading, and many personal smartphones have the ability to display e-books as well. This means you don’t have to carry around a large book with you, and you can read during the small spare moments you have throughout the day. E-books are also usually more affordable than their printed counterparts. If you prefer to read an actual physical book, but still want to save money, there are many ways to find affordable books near you. Local libraries are a great resource and are completely free. Many libraries also put on book sales regularly where you can purchase titles for just a few dollars. Other ways to find affordable books include used bookstores, online markets like Amazon and Ebay, thrift stores, and even local garage sales and fairs. The cost of buying books puts many people off of reading, but the truth is that you don’t have to spend much money to enjoy a great book.
With all of these amazing reasons to start reading, there’s no time like the present to pick up a book. Adding reading into your daily routine will not only help you decompress and learn interesting new things, but it will also help you become more intelligent and successful later in life. The skills you develop as a reader will transfer into many different aspects of your life and have tangible positive benefits that are truly life-changing.
