Here Is Some Advice so That You Don't Quit Reading Again

Reading is freedom.

The excitement you get when you come across a new concept or idea that you've never thought about is like someone taking your hand and showing you a whole other dimension.

I'm not talking about fantasy books, although they have incredible value as well. Im talking about non-fiction.

What I will not do in this blog is tell you what to read, but rather what mistake to avoid.

Honestly, with the rise of the self-development industry, reading has become a trend. That's cool. It's a healthy trend, but don't just do it because everyone else is. Find your own value in it.

Unfortunately, you cannot click on YouTube anymore without seeing the following recommendations: "10 books you should read in 2023", "3 books that changed my life" and "Here are the books that made me a millionaire at 23" blablabla.

In this blog post, I'll tell you about the mistakes I made when I started reading years ago and the lessons I learned along the way.

1. Read Whatever You Want

This one is so important.

Read what you are interested in. Just don't stop.

Everyone tries to be the loudest and wants to tell you what you should read and what not. Going into a bookstore to just grab a book that appeals to you will make you less likely to quit than ordering 5 books online because some random dude on the internet told you so.

Also, just because you're into social sciences, doesn't mean you can't read about physics or biology. Try out various topics. As long as you stay active and enjoy it, you will find benefits.

I read books on feminism, biology, physics, and history, and after a while, my perspective broadened and I was able to connect the dots between the subjects.

It is so interesting when you begin to understand how phenomena that you thought had nothing to do with each other are related in their own way.

2. You Don't Have to Finish Your Book

This one was hard to understand at first. I mean it sounds pretty easy. When a book is boring or doesn't appeal to you after a few chapters, just start another one. But I was someone that had the urge to read it from beginning to end to say that I completed the whole book.

Until I realized, no one cares. There is no price for it.

You either learn or you don't.

Here is my advice.

Pick a chapter that sounds interesting to you. Take a glimpse at it, read through it, and if you like it, great. If not, pick another chapter, and so on. If that doesn't do the job, it's just not your book, pick something else.

This approach is so important because you don't want to end up like most people that are stuck on page 112. If you don't keep reading because it's just so draining and your mind keeps wandering off, then that's a sign that you should take a break or just switch books.

I started beating myself up so that I didn't continue reading that one book, but looking back, the only thing that these kinds of books made me do is to quit reading. If I didn't keep reading on page 112, I wouldn't read at all.

Big mistake. Don't do that!

If you take one thing away from this blog then it's this:

Please don't stop reading.

It's so important for your growth.  

3. You Read to Learn, Not for Social Approval

I've said it before, there's no reason to rush through a book, understand only half of what you read, and be happy just because you made it to the end.

I "read" Jordan Peterson's 12 Rules For Life. The feeling after that big chunk was terrific. Looking back, I barely took anything of value with me. Maybe about 8%.

Is that worth it? I don't think so.

If I invest my time in a book or a podcast, I'm looking for something I don't know yet. But don't read to read. There is no purpose.

Also, posting pictures while you're reading, just ain't it.

You don't even read while taking that picture and the only that feels better afterward is your ego.  

4. Take Notes, but Don't Force It

I remember watching tons of videos on how to get the most out of a book.

Everyone says you should take notes, and you definitely should. But don't let it take away your joy.

It was kind of exhausting when I was reading and every 3 minutes I had to write down something that I thought was meaningful. Not everything was meant to be put on paper and it primarily interrupted my reading flow.

Read your chapter and maybe make a quick note on the side, nothing too crazy. At the end of the chapter or when you're done reading, write down what stood out to you. That way, you can maintain your reading flow and enjoy it much more.

Here is a great article about how to read better: https://fs.blog/reading/

5. Don't Fall Into the Dopamine Pitfall

I remember going to my friend's house and seeing a pile of 15 self-development books. You know, all the bestsellers that are recommended online.

• The 48 laws of power
• How to win friends and influence people
• Rich dad poor dad, etc.

"Okay okay, I see you." that was my response.

2 months later I asked him what he had read so far.

His response: "Not a single one"

....

That didn't surprise me.

I had a feeling he wouldn't read the books because I did the same mistake in the beginning. I ordered 6 books at a time, started with one, and then kept on buying more books without even touching the other ones. At some point, I had to stop myself and ask why I was doing that.

It's the dopamine rush. The rush you get from doing your research, thinking how much it would turn you into a smarter person, and then clicking order. You get that brand new book, looking all clean and stuff, but then when it comes to "putting in the work" and reading it, we get lazy.

The best part was buying the book. Not reading it. Because reading requires discipline at first.

Don't fall into that dopamine pitfall of ordering so many books at once when you're already struggling to keep up with your reading habit.

That just makes things harder for you because you're mentally dealing with the fact that you haven't touched any of them.

I hope you can find some helpful advice here.