The What, Why and How of Reading

For me, books are one of the greatest assets I own. I collect specific historical books like the Harvard Classics and specific rare biographies. I love to read and I love books. Yet, I know the pressure to read can wear many people out. Hopefully this post can help you out when you feel the pressure to keep up with those around you.

1. Why Should I Read?

Most people do not have a plan for their reading. They simply pick up a book because of the cover, or because of a friend or colleagues recommendation. There is nothing wrong with this approach - there are many good books out there. The problem is that most books promoted by publishers are not necessarily the best books, they are simply the ones the publisher wants to promote because they feel that author will sell the most. This approach to reading can wear you out, and leave you focusing on books which may not be the best read.

I suggest a proactive reading plan. Create a book list based on your answers to the following two questions:

• What do you like to read? (Fiction, Business, Parables, etc.)
• What do you want/need to learn?

Once you have answered these questions, proactively make a list of the books that fit.

As a side note: I am adamant about stopping a read if the book doesn’t do it for me. I don’t have time to waste. I also believe it is alright to give books away or, better yet, recycle them and get them out of your library. Our friend, Mark Sanborn, recently went through his entire library and gave away most of the books he has read and will never read again, and recycled many that were not worth anyone reading in his opinion.

Because of the business I am in I get 1-3 books a week from publishers who want us to promote their authors. Most of the books just don’t fit and never make it to my bookshelf.

Here is an example of my summer reading books and when I read them:

• Morning Read Before Work: I am reading about the leadership of King Saul and the transition to King David in I Samuel 15 - 2 Samuel in the Bible.
• Desk Reading to Start the Day: The Maxwell Daily Reader
• Airplane/Travel Books: Churchill on Adversity, Finishing Outliers by Gladwell
• In Car Book (when I have to wait for something): 9 Things a Leader Must Do by Dr. Henry Cloud
• Nightstand: John Adams by John McCullough (I have been working on this for weeks - little doses before I fall asleep)

I currently have 10 books on my proactive reading plan.

2. What Should I Read?

Because of technology and the pace of our world, reading tends to get weeded out of our everyday leadership. I implore you to protect reading for your benefit and for the benefit of those around you. To do that you need to constantly remind yourself why you read. If it is simply because you feel like you should, you will eventually wear yourself out. On the other hand, if you want to read for the joy and benefit of it, you will prosper.

I read to search for nuggets of truth that can serve me in my overall vision of life and business. I search for big truths that are applicable and useful to the story line of my world. I read to advance. I read to learn. I read to be inspired. That is why I spend so much time on biographies.

3. How Should I Read?

This is the most important aspect for me. When I was in my early twenties I read a few books on speed reading and actually watched several videos to practice. This has benefited me immensely. The how of reading is dictated on what I am reading.

I will use my reading plan as an example…

Morning Reading: When I am reading about Saul/David in the Bible, I read slowly and intently. I usually journal alongside my reading in order to capture big thoughts. This is a great inspirational time for me. I usually spend 15-45 minutes in this time depending on the day.

Desk Time: When reading The Maxwell Daily Reader I simply read and contemplate and move on. This takes me 3-5 minutes to start the day.

Travel Books: I typically speed read these books. Many business books should be sped read. I search for the 1-3 nuggets and a couple of pivotal analogies around those points. I find the rest merely filler to make the book impressive. I can read about three books a week this way.

Car Book: Because I am reading this while waiting for our kids or a meeting I will read a page or two at a time.

Nightstand Book: Usually my energy dictates how long I read at night. Biographies are great for night reading.

The secret is in finding authors that you like and making books practical. I mark in books and write in journals. I am no longer reading to impress people by how many books I have read, but view them as vital to my business and life perspective.

It is time for you to revisit what you are reading. Ask yourself why you are reading it and then decide how you want to read each. This approach will give you a great perspective on life and leadership.

Posted on June 29, 2009 in Leader Development