There's an old saying, often attributed to Mark Twain, suggesting that a person who doesn't read is no better off than someone who cannot read. In our current age, brimming with instant movies, engaging podcasts, and a constant stream of digital content, the act of sitting down with a book might seem like a quaint practice from a bygone era. Yet, we cannot ignore a compelling observation: while not every avid reader achieves conventional success, it's a common thread that successful individuals tend to be dedicated readers. Perhaps, deep down, we all sense that reading offers something more profound than mere information consumption. The true power of reading, a secret understood by many who thrive, lies in a different realm altogether.

Finding Your Own Story: The Joy of Reading What Calls to You

For many, the idea of reading carries a weight, an association with difficult or uninteresting tasks. This can often stem from early experiences where complex texts were introduced before a reader was fully ready to appreciate their depth. Classic literature, for instance, often demands a certain level of life experience and the patience to let an author's intricate thoughts unfold and resonate. When we encounter such challenging material prematurely, reading itself can become synonymous with boredom or obligation.

There’s a simple yet powerful way to shift this perception: begin by reading only what genuinely fascinates you, not what societal pressures dictate.

Think about it. If someone wanted to improve a skill or simply find enjoyment, they might naturally gravitate towards subjects they already love. If basketball is a passion, books about the sport would likely be consumed eagerly, the mind readily absorbing the content. This initial engagement can then act as a bridge. Within a short time, this rekindled interest in reading might naturally expand to other areas like self-development, psychology, or the dynamics of business. The key is that the enjoyment derived from pursuing personal interests through reading can cultivate a lasting habit.

Furthermore, it's vital to read what truly captivates your mind, rather than adhering to a "standard" list of expected titles. If one wishes for a life that differs from the norm, one cannot rely solely on conventional opinions. Critical thinking in book selection is paramount. The "best" book is, quite simply, the one that resonates most deeply with you, the one that pulls you in. If there's one action to take, it's this: find a book that truly sparks your curiosity and begin.

Carving Out the Space: Reading as a Priority, Not an Afterthought

"But where does one find the time to read?" This is a common refrain. Often, the answer lies where the time was lost. Consider the "screen time" feature on many modern phones. An informal observation in a workplace once revealed an interesting pattern: those who earned more tended to spend less time on their phones (perhaps around three hours), while those who earned less often had significantly higher screen time (closer to six hours). In our current era, the excuse of "not enough time" often masks a different issue: a problem of priorities.

The word "priority" itself has roots in the idea of "coming before." It signifies what should be addressed before other tasks. For this reason, many find reading in the morning to be most effective. The day's demands haven't yet crowded the mind, and for some, mental energy for focused reading wanes by evening. By consistently dedicating a specific time, such as immediately after waking, to reading, one can accomplish a surprising amount over time – imagine reading 250 books in five years through such a practice.

Priorities, of course, can shift. Perhaps writing becomes a more pressing task, and reading takes its place after that. The system of prioritizing applies broadly: tackle the most crucial things first. This same principle can be applied to learning languages or any other significant endeavor—dedicating early morning hours, before the world intrudes, can lead to remarkable progress. The takeaway is clear: dedicated time must be set aside for reading.

The Freedom to Wander: Why Not Finishing Books is a Healthy Reading Habit

Have you ever found yourself bogged down, stuck on a particular page of a book, and eventually abandoned reading altogether? This common frustration often originates from an early-instilled reverence for books as sacred objects that must be completed once started. However, books are primarily sources of information and insight. And frankly, a significant portion of published material may not resonate with every reader or at every stage of their life.

This brings us to a liberating rule: it should be perfectly normal not to finish every book you start.

Think of online content; if a video fails to capture your interest within moments, you close it without a second thought. Yet, with books, a sense of obligation often pressures us to read to the very end. There are a couple of reasons why this mindset is counterproductive.

First, you might be encountering a book at the wrong time. Lacking the necessary life experience or mental framework to digest its ideas can make an otherwise valuable book seem dull. A book like "Antifragile," for instance, might seem uninteresting to someone without entrepreneurial experience, but years later, with a different perspective, it could become a favorite.

Second, when beginning a new book, consider applying a "10% rule." If the first tenth of the book doesn't engage you or offer value, feel free to set it aside without guilt. The objective is to distinguish between genuinely uninteresting books and the act of reading itself. Embracing the process of reading, even if it means sampling many books to find the gems, can place you in a small percentage of the global population, as many people simply do not read regularly.

The Hidden Power: Reading as a Training Ground for the Mind

So, what is this "magic" of reading? Why the widespread acknowledgment of its importance, and why is it a consistent habit among many accomplished individuals?

Consider this: how do you feel after spending 30 minutes aimlessly scrolling through social media feeds? Often, there's a sense of mental fatigue, as if the brain has been overstimulated by quick, fleeting bursts of information – what some might call "cheap dopamine." Focus can dwindle, leading to a feeling of being scattered or in a "broken state." If one doesn't cultivate the ability to maintain focus, reaching one's true potential becomes an uphill battle. A common pattern observed across various contexts is that individuals who struggle often spend considerable time on social media and short, distracting content, leading to a chronically "defocused" brain.

What does reading have to do with this? Unlike many other forms of information consumption, reading demands singular attention. You can listen to a podcast or watch a program while doing other things, but effective reading doesn't allow for such multitasking. This is the crucial trick: reading inherently forces you to concentrate, to block out distractions. The primary, perhaps unstated, benefit of reading is its power to train your focus and deepen your concentration.

Many highly successful individuals, from athletes like Cristiano Ronaldo to innovators like Elon Musk, exhibit an extraordinary capacity for intense focus. When they are engaged in a task, they are fully immersed. Is it truly possible to achieve significant things without this ability to concentrate? One might realize over time that grand achievements don't typically happen by accident or sheer luck. Results often correlate directly with focused effort. Focus, however, is a skill, and perhaps the most accessible and effective way to cultivate it is to read.

To embark on this, three simple guidelines can help:

1. Read what genuinely interests you.
2. Establish a consistent, dedicated time for reading.
3. Embrace the freedom to not finish books that don't resonate.

Ultimately, the path to reading more, and gaining its profound benefits, is a personal one, but the effort must be your own. The next time you find yourself endlessly scrolling, remember the adage: those who do not read may indeed be missing out on as much as those who cannot read.

References:

• Newport, C. (2016). Deep Work: Rules for Focused Success in a Distracted World. Grand Central Publishing.
  This work explores the importance of cultivating deep, focused concentration in an increasingly distracted world. It provides insights into how individuals can train their ability to work without distraction on cognitively demanding tasks, a skill that the article argues is significantly enhanced by the practice of reading. The book outlines strategies for minimizing shallow work and maximizing periods of intense focus, which aligns with the article's assertion that reading trains concentration.
• Taleb, N. N. (2012). Antifragile: Things That Gain from Disorder. Random House.
  This book introduces the concept of "antifragility," where systems or entities benefit from shocks, volatility, and uncertainty. The article touches upon how some books require "life experience" and how one's understanding can change over time, echoing Taleb's ideas that engagement with complex systems (like challenging texts or life itself) can lead to growth when approached with the right mindset. The suggestion that one might revisit a book later in life and find new meaning aligns with the themes of developing understanding through experience and exposure to stressors or complexities.
• Hormozi, A. (2021). $100M Offers: How To Make Offers So Good People Feel Stupid Saying No. Acquisition.com.
  While the article refrains from direct business advice, it implicitly references the value of practical, actionable knowledge obtainable through reading, using a book of this nature as an example of transformative insight (based on the original prompt's context). This supports the article's broader point that carefully chosen books can offer powerful frameworks applicable to various aspects of life, including professional endeavors, by providing step-by-step guidance or paradigm-shifting ideas.