10 benefits from making an aggressive reading goal in 2023
I have been an avid reader for decades. For 2023 I decided to read 100 books (audio is allowed!) and also make "10 things I learned" lists. This will probably be 95% or more non-fiction, 40% or more pop business books because that is what I like. I have used Blinkist in the past that delivers summaries (that are also good) but this goal needs to be complete books. I will also try some books out of my comfort zone but it can be hard to maintain enthusiasm for books/genres that I don't care for.
For the sake of less awkward phrasing I call either audio books or reading with eyeballs "reading."
1. Always thinking about the next direction to go in: always seeking the next book
This has kept me on alert: when someone mentions a book in a podcast I see whether my library system has it: I have a great library system in Florida.
2. Making "10 things I learned" lists makes me an active reader
I regularly listened to audio books while walking or doing chores/hobbies on the weekends. A lot of that was in one ear and out the other. Making lists helps tie ideas together and helps me concentrate on the author's point.
3. Gives me a productive task to do on my phone
Besides "death scrolling" on sites like Quora, fiddling around with YouTube or emails, or playing too many games if I want to keep pace I should be reading something or listening to something. I can also read in line or while waiting for a Dr. appointment, etc.
4. Making new connections across disciplines
Reading at an accelerated pace, especially across similar disciplines helps me pick up on common ideas, and some uncommon ones.
5. Becoming familiar with tropes
Many people refer to "the marshmallow experiment" about delayed gratification. Most authors regurgitate the same insights but it is refreshing when someone pulls something new out of it.
6. Even after just one month I am noticing a difference
I realized that with my preferences I probably have read 40 - 50 books a year over the last 10 years or so. To double that has made a difference in my perception of the world and also changed my behavior to make time for this. Also deciding to write NotePD "book reports" has made a big difference in how I pay attention and what I get out of the books.
7. This amount of reading would not work for me without audiobooks
At one time I could speed read well and really get a lot out of paper books. With my current lifestyle the audio books are better but with 11 months left I can dust off the speed reading and get back into paper books.
8. Re-reading books has more value than I thought
I just started "Range" by David Epstein again. I did not even remember that I had read it before until my app reminded me (audio book... in one ear..). There is a section about "freestyle chess" using humans and AI together that I had glossed over before. Now that I have read a lot about AI in the last few years I am bringing a different perspective to the book.
9. Bill Gates, Warren Buffet, James Altucher and others that promote reading a lot are onto something
Reading for many hours a day might seem like a luxury and maybe it is but it can be an important way to understand the world that is hard to replicate any other way.
10. To meet a goal like this, have some shorter books in mind also!
When setting out a goal, be prepared to move the goalposts! I read 2 extremely long books in January, and 2 pretty short e-Books that I still considered "books." Short books can also be great to read: I will have to re-read "As a Man Thinketh" this year at some point...
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