One Chapter At A Time: Here's how a simple habit can open lots of opportunities in your personal life and career!

I’m excited to talk about another important life hack today. My hope is that you’ll find this topic useful and helpful in boosting your career and overall well-being.

For this article, let’s focus on the importance of reading books or reading in general.

Read on to know how this simple habit can make a positive difference in your life.

CEO, MBO Partners
Chairman of the Advisory Board, The I Institute

One Chapter At A Time: Here's how a simple habit can open lots of opportunities in your personal life and career!

Reading is an essential human activity that has been practiced for thousands of years. From ancient scrolls to modern e-readers, books have played a significant role in shaping human civilization.

However, in today’s digital age where information is readily available at our fingertips, reading books seems to be a lost art. Nowadays, many people opt for quick, bite-sized information rather than indulging in long-form reading.

Despite such changes, reading remains a crucial activity.

Sure, it’s a given that this activity is a great way to relax… but did you know it is also a powerful tool for personal and professional growth?

In this article, we will explore the importance of reading books and why it should be a part of your daily routine.

Unleash the Bookworm in You: The Incredible Power of Reading

There are soooooo many benefits to reading books.

However, let’s admit: It can be challenging to motivate yourself to read a 382-page book when you can simply watch a movie, listen to an audiobook, or view a book summary and review on YouTube.

Another thing: If most of your “daily reading” consists of only scrolling through social media posts, text messages, and news headlines, you’re missing out on A LOT of the benefits of this activity.

So, if you’re one of those who are interested in making reading a habit but need some motivation, this article is for you! After all, the more you understand the importance of reading, the more encouraged you’ll be to actually do it.

Let’s dive deeper into its benefits…

1. Reading boosts brain function .

   Reading is like a workout for the brain. It stimulates various areas of your gray matter, including memory, attention, and creativity.

   What’s more?

   Reading also helps improve your vocabulary and language skills! In fact, a study by the University of Sussex found that reading can reduce stress levels by up to 68%, making it an effective tool for mental relaxation.

   Doing this activity has also been linked to a lower risk of cognitive decline in old age, further highlighting the importance of making reading a habit.

2. Reading improves your empathy and emotional intelligence .

   English author Jeanette Winterson once said:

   “Books and doors are the same thing. You open them, and you go through into another world.”

   What does this mean?

   Reading is an excellent way to gain insight into different perspectives and experiences. It allows you to see the world from the eyes of different characters, providing a glimpse into their thoughts, emotions, and motivations.

   This exposure to different points of view can improve empathy and emotional intelligence, making you more compassionate and understanding towards others.

3. Reading enhances your ability to learn and retain knowledge .

   Reading is one of the most effective ways to acquire new knowledge and skills because it allows you to learn from the experiences and wisdom of others.

   This activity also improves your knowledge retention as it reinforces your learning process by repeating and reinforcing data. Unlike other forms of media that offer fleeting information, books provide in-depth knowledge that can be applied in various areas of your life.

4. Reading increases your creativity and imagination .

   Books are an excellent source of inspiration and creativity as it exposes you to new ideas, perspectives, and experiences.

   The vivid descriptions and scenes in books can transport you to different worlds, encouraging you to think outside the box and envision new possibilities.

5. Reading builds your mental toughness .

   There’s no denying that reading can be a challenging activity, especially when dealing with complex or dense texts. However, persisting through difficult reading materials helps improve your mental toughness.

   This trains you to push through adversity and overcome challenges, both of which are valuable traits in your personal and professional life.

6. Reading improves your communication and critical thinking skills .

   Whenever you read good books, you’re exposed to different styles of writing and are encouraged to analyze and critique the texts. This process sharpens your analytical skills, helping you become a more effective communicator.

   Additionally, since reading helps improve your vocabulary, it will be easier for you to express your ideas and thoughts accurately.

Personally, I am a fan of reading great books, too. In fact, some of the materials I would recommend are:

• “The Power of Habit”  by Charles Duhigg  - This book explores the science behind habit creation and reformation. The key to exercising regularly, losing weight, raising exceptional children, becoming more productive, building revolutionary companies, and achieving success is understanding how habits work.
• “The Myth of the Nice Girl: Achieving a Career You Love Without Becoming a Person You Hate”  by Fran Hauser  - This book basically contains practical guides on how to succeed with kindness, integrity, and authenticity. This is a good read for those who want to achieve success without losing themselves in the process.
• “The Little Book of Hygge: Danish Secrets to Happy Living”  by Meik Wiking  - This book provides a definitive guide to become happier through the Danish philosophy of comfort, togetherness, and well-being. This is ideal for those who are planning to incorporate the concept of  Hygge  (pronounced as hoo-gah) or “cozy intimacy” into their lives.

I recommend these books because they’ve also had positive and lasting impacts on my overall well-being. They helped me realize the importance of building good habits, being a kind yet strong leader, and enjoying every moment of my life.

I hope you find today’s topic helpful and insightful!

Overall, reading is a wonderful way to improve yourself. Make sure you make time for reading books, whether fiction or nonfiction, at least an hour or a chapter a day. I assure you, reading does wonders to your life more than you might think.

So, what are you waiting for? Get lost in a good book and reap the rewards for a lifetime!

Advance happy weekend, everyone!