this 1 simple fact changed my mind about reading books

Reading Books

I was never really a reader but turned into one in the recent past. I want to share why I started reading books, that too out of choice, and why you should too! (if you don’t already)

“The man who does not read has no advantage over the man who cannot read.” 

Mark Twain

So What Changed my Mind About Reading Books?

Until mid-2015, the only books I had read were those which were part of the education system. Then, somewhere around that time, I saw a video that inspired me to read, to read by choice! [I am not able to find that video right now, I will update this post as and when I do find it :)]
The man in the video shared that many people around us don’t read and suggested if we do, we would have an edge over them. He said – by reading just 1 book a month, 12 books a year, we would have learnt, grown a lot, and would be far ahead from people who don’t read. He continued to share that most of the successful people (if not all) do invest their time in reading daily.

Coincidentally, around the same time, I was attending a training program where our assignment was to read one book in the next month. The assignment was specifically designed for us (non-readers especially) to move past our “inner-voice” and take action. Reading for me (that time) was “too much”, “not for me”, etc. They suggested one of the reasons why many people give up reading soon after they start is probably because they go on reading without understanding the word meanings properly, hence they lose interest — their mind takes them out of action. For that, they suggested — keep a dictionary by your side (you don’t even need that now if you have an e-reader such as Kindle). The point was to commit to it and do it, regardless of any mind-chatter. No excuses.

Both of these experiences presented reading as an opportunity to go beyond my inner voice, to learn, and to expand myself; I took that opportunity and I ended up loving the act of reading.

I discovered that I like to read Non-fiction, where I believe I can get the most value. Some topics I love to read about/learn are Self-Mastery, Psychology, Spirituality, Business, Money.

I have read over 30 books since then, averaging 6 books a year. This year, my goal is to read a total of 12 books, out of which I have read 4 and in the middle of 3!


I believe that the best “shortcut” to success is to study the people who have already achieved what you want to achieve. So think of the people you want to be like, read about them, get there faster than you would otherwise. Learn from their experience, their mistakes, etc.

“If I have seen further, it is by standing upon the shoulders of giants” 

Sir Isaac Newton, sharing credit of his success with the people whose work he built upon.

There’s a saying — The more you learn, The more you earn.
So I make sure to invest my time and money in growing myself and learning.

“The learners shall inherit the Earth while the learned will be beautifully equipped to live in a world that no longer exists.” 

Eric Hoffer

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