Reading is one of the most powerful self-improvement tools. It allows you to tap into the minds of the world’s top achievers, strengthens your ability to absorb and apply new information, reduces stress, and can even improve your sleep if done as a wind-down routine before bed.
How I Started Reading
I used to think reading was just for nerdy people who had nothing better to do, until I stumbled upon a YouTube video by someone I looked up to. In this video, a well-known self-improvement creator talked about the incredible benefits of reading, and something clicked for me. It was a turning point in my self-improvement journey.
Motivated by that video, I immediately went online and ordered five self-improvement books. When they arrived, however, I placed them on my shelf and there they sat for months before I finally picked one up. To be honest, I had always associated reading with boredom. I had never finished a book in my life, not even in school.
When I finally forced myself to start reading, I quickly realized how out of practice I was. I could barely get through two or three pages before my eyes started shutting on their own. It wasn’t that I wasn’t interested, I just wasn’t used to the focus it required. I had been spending six hours a day on TikTok, so my attention span was shot. I struggled to read even five minutes at a time.
Fast forward to today, and I can read for hours if the book captures my interest. So, how did I go from barely reading three pages to consistently reading 30 minutes to an hour every day? Let me explain.
The One Rule That Changed Everything
I made one simple but firm decision: I would read every single day before bed, no matter what.
I was frustrated with myself for being so bad at something that so many successful people swore by. So, I set a strict rule: nothing was allowed to stop me from reading daily, no excuses. I also made a deal with myself that the most important part was just showing up. It didn’t matter if I read only one page or ten; what mattered was that I did it every day.
For the first few months, I read just two to five pages a night. That may sound like nothing, but at the time, it was all I could handle before falling asleep. And that was okay, because I wasn’t focusing on how much I read, I was focusing on building the habit.
Consistency Is Key
When developing any habit, consistency is everything. My reading skill was rusty, and the only way to improve was through repetition. The goal wasn’t to force myself to read a ton each day but rather to show up daily until reading became second nature.
It was crucial for me to accept that even reading a tiny amount each day would add up over time. I was skeptical at first, could two to five pages a day really make a difference? But I stuck with it, and now, nearly two years later, I’ve read every single day and finished 15 books. That might not sound like much to an avid reader, but for someone who never finished a book before, it’s a massive achievement.
Applying What You Read
Reading alone won’t change your life, applying what you read will.
Even small changes inspired by books can add up to something significant. But if you don’t actively use the knowledge you gain, it won’t make a difference. So, as you build your reading habit, make sure you also apply the lessons you learn.
No More Excuses
If you’ve been putting off reading because of negative beliefs, short attention spans, or bad experiences, stop hesitating and just start.
Make your reading habit one that you can stick to. If you struggle with focus, I highly recommend reading before bed, it not only helps you wind ådown but also improves sleep quality.
So, stop making excuses. Go buy a book, having a financial investment in it might give you extra motivation to start. And remember, it’s not about how much you read each day; it’s about showing up every day.
If you commit to this, you will build a strong reading habit, and over time, it will open doors to valuable knowledge that you can apply to your life. Just like you should apply what you’ve learned in this blog post and start reading today.
