Reading is truly a discipline that is worth while, but takes serious time and determination. Modern culture alone is devising every way possible to pull us away with out short attention spans, while reading requires a concentrated, uninterrupted focus. Also, the digital age has brought around so great a variety of entertainment that reading may seem old fashioned, or even boring. The reality of it is that reading is still an essential part of our understanding and development of our brain.
How does reading change our brain? This all comes back to one term: “Neauroplasticity”. No, I did not make that up. Neauroplasticity, in short, is the condition of ability of our brain to adapt to our habits, ultimately to become adept at our habits. Practically speaking, if you consistently practice guitar, your brain will slowly begin to physical reshape itself so that it can better accommodate that habit. This basically applies to everything we do, and this also means that to grow into our out of a habit takes serious time and determination.
This means, that if you want to become more speedy and adept at reading, then the greatest thing you can do is start reading right now! Don’t wait, begin to read a book, article, or hey a blog post! The more you begin to discipline yourself to read, the more your brain will begin to adapt and then aid you in your reading. This does take serious time, but it is well worth it. I guarantee if you were to study the life habits of many very successful people, you would come to find out that they are serious readers.
So what happens then when you begin to read? How can you be certain that you will be successful? I will say, when you first commit to serious reading, there are some very helpful tips. First, pick a book that you like. Have it be in a genre most comfortable to you, with the writing you like, and with the ideal plot. Why do this? Because you are already accustom to this so the only adapting you have to do is the willingness to have patience to read the whole book.
Second, keep you reading goals attainable. If you set a goal to read 4 books a month, but you work a full-time job and have other outside commitments, then I would back it down some and make it more attainable. You can always start small and then as you get better, raise the expectations.
Thirdly, set yourself up for success. Many people will try to get reading done in some of the most bogus places. They try to read amongst a group of people, at the dinner table, in front of a TV, or by their computer or phone. Good reading is uninterrupted reading. Try your best to not let your schedule, electronics, or chaos around you interrupt you reading goals. Schedule a time out of your day for reading, put your phone somewhere else, and find the quietest place you can in your house. If you are going to read, make it the best read you can.
In conclusion, my answer is simple: Yes you can get better, faster, and more comprehensive in your reading. The trick is not some pill or shortcut. The trick is hard work and determination, which will then reap great reward. Reading is worth it, even if it is hard at first. Do not give up on reading, for it will opens doors that you may have never known to exist.
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