Even Bill Gates advises reading. So start today!
If you love reading and are always found with a book in your hands then unintentionally you are paving a path to success for yourself. Look at all the successful people today, they will give you just one piece of advice that you should never stop reading. They will insist that wherever you get time, you should pick up a book and try to read one of your favorite pastime activities. Even Bill Gates advises reading. The reason is simple. When you read, you learn so many new things and get to know about the opinions of people on a number of topics which broadens your perspective. But you shouldn’t just read but learn the art of reading effectively.
And who can be better than Bill Gates to teach this skill? You can start reading today but it will do no good if you don’t read the right books. The books that can improve your life and increase your knowledge should be on your reading list. Bill Gates is a perfectionist, so when he advises reading he also states his top three reading practices and ways to apply them.
Taking notes
When you take notes, it becomes easier for you to remember the things that you have read. Also, you can go back to these notes any time whenever you are confused and clarify all your doubts. Another reason why taking notes is so important is that we have so many diversions, even while reading, half of our attention is on phone or work which often shifts our focus. But when you take notes, you start engaging with the book and forget about all these little distractions. Therefore, Bill Gates advises reading only when you are ready to take notes diligently.
Now when you are reading and taking notes, it is possible that you might not agree with the things written. In such a situation, just take a pen and start writing your views and opinions instead of just agreeing to the thought shared by the writer. For effective reading, it is important that you try to relate to the things you read with real-life experiences and the things that you already know.
Finish every book you start
Now, this should be your number one rule. Bill Gates advises reading but he emphasizes on completing every book that you start reading. Even skipping the pages is not allowed because that breaks the momentum. We do understand that reading a boring book can be really disheartening and it can spoil your mood. So to counter this, he suggests that a person should pick up books wisely. Consider if the book you are planning to start is worth your time and if you find it interesting.
Well selecting the best books can be tough. But through the internet, you can get access to all the information about good books. There are so many book reviews already available. In addition to this, there are always successful personalities who keep on sharing their book wishlists on social media. Even Bill Gates himself has a list and he shares his recommendations once a year.
Allocate time to reading
If you are planning to make reading a hobby, it is important that you start dedicating time to it. Bill Gates tries to block an hour from his busy schedule to read a book every day. If he can do that, so can you but make sure that you do not divert your mind during this one hour and focus on the book you are reading.
This might sound tough but all you have to do is make it a habit. Dedicate this one hour to reading and nothing else. So when you are going to sleep or when you are traveling to your office in a cab or metro, you can use that time to read instead of surfing social media.
If you want to add value to your life then all you have to is follow these three simple tricks by Bill Gates. Also, there is no hard and fast rule. You can experiment as much as you want. Find your calling before you jump upon the reading wagon.
Need recommendations for a good read? Find it below: