The reading diet!
First of all, let me clarify that when I say reading, I mean learning. And it’s not just reading, but learning through multiple mediums like listening to audible and podcasts, watching videos, attending seminars, etc. (You can also include social media, newspapers and TV channels, WhatsApp, and your gossiping friends!)
We all know about the dieting of food. When someone is dieting, they follow strict guidelines as to what to eat and what to avoid. They are extremely cautious about what they eat and how much they eat. They are aware of their goals. They just don’t put anything in their mouth that comes in front of them, however tempting it may be! (Come on, I am referring to sincere dieters!) We all know dieting is necessary for our health. Every one of us is at least somewhat conscious about it.
Now think about reading. Reading is considered to be a good habit, and it is. When I was young, books were not readily available. In this day and age of the internet, information (in various forms) is at our fingertips. We are bombarded with input from all sides, all the time. Most of the time, we don’t exercise our control over what to consume and avoid. We have become the victim of information abundance. Like a well-balanced diet, we need to plan our reading diet because we have limited capacity (stomach and time) to digest!
Plan your reading. Every month set goals. Divide your reading into 3 to 4 categories. This is how I divide my reading: skills (related to your business), self-development, biographies, and reading for joy (stories, magazines, novels, etc.) In each category, decide how much time you are going to put in. I also schedule my reading based on my “state.” For example, I read novels or stories when I have low energy (usually before going to bed) and skills when I have very high energy (generally in the morning).
And one more thing, I just don’t consume; I also create. I write, I talk, and I teach what I am reading. Then you realize that even the reading for joy was necessary for effective communication!
This systematic way of consuming the information (reading) is what I call a “reading diet”!
So, when are you starting your reading diet?
