Anyone who knows me personally knows that I am an avid reader. I have multiple bookshelves in my office, shop for new books weekly, and practically live in the library. I buy highlighters in bulk because I love to write and keep notes in every non-fiction book I read. I guess you can call me a proud bibliophile, or in other words, a book nerd. Not only do I like to read, but there are many beneifits to reading regularly. When it comes to self-care, reading for personal growth is a necessity.
A well-read woman is a dangerous creature.
Growing up, I loved to read and write stories. My grandmother encouraged me to write, and she saved every story I’ve written. I had an impressive book collection that grew to over a hundred books and read all types of fiction stories for fun. Because of my love for books, I even tried to get a job at the local library but didn’t get the job because I was too young.
As the years went on, I began to understand the importance of not just reading for entertainment, but also reading for increased knowledge and understanding. After becoming a stay-at-home Mom, I found that reading not only kept me occupied but also helped me through some of my hardest moments when I felt alone or stressed out.
Getting lost in a good book is my favorite past time.
This year, I have made a personal goal to read 52 books before the year is over. To reach my goal I must read and finish one book a week. When I share my love of reading, many people ask “how do you find time to read?” And my response is always “I have time to read because I make time to read.” You make time for the things you actually want to do. The things you don’t want to do, you will make excuses not to do them. Click here to learn How to Read 52 Books This Year.
Ordinary people have big TVs. Extraordinary people have big libraries.
Personal growth comes in many different forms. Daily tasks can easily become mundane if you do not make your personal growth a priority. Personal growth comes from doing things that make yourself better. When done daily and consistency, my personal growth comes from prayer, self-care, writing, and reading. These things help me to become the best version of myself, so I can handle my daily responsibilities as best as I can.
Because I naturally enjoy a good story, reading daily is not hard for me. Reading a book is like enjoying a special treat that I get to indulge in at the end of each day. I genuinely look forward to it. There are many amazing hobbies that people choose to engage in to pursue personal development. For me, my thing is reading and writing. As I’ve shared before, it’s what I’ve loved to do for my entire life.
Science has proven that there are psychological benefits to reading on a daily basis. Neuroscientists believe regular reading helps make you smarter and actually increase your brain power. Studies have also shown that just six minutes a day of reading can help reduce stress levels by up to 60 percent.
10 Benefits of Reading for Personal Growth
- Improved focus and concentration
- Improved thinking skills
- Stress reduction
- Memory improvement
- Reduced stress
- Better writing skills
- Mental stimulation
- More knowledge
- Vocabulary expansion
- Entertainment
When choosing what to books to read I like to:
- take book recommendations from people I look up to and admire
- read biographies of successful people
- read another book by the previous author I last read
- check the “If you like this book, try this book…” recommendations on Amazon
- read book reviews and follow book bloggers
If my love of books has intrigued you to read (I hope it has!), here are a few steps to start adding reading into your daily routine.
3 Steps to Easily Incorporate Reading into Your Schedule
- Find something you actually want to read. To ensure you actually stick to completing a book, choose what to read depending on your interests or needs. For example, when I started my first business, I read dozens of business books to get answers to questions that I couldn’t afford to learn at a university. Now, I like to read uplifting stories that put a smile on my face. Choose a book that interests you and that will keep you coming back for more.
- Choose the perfect time of day to read. When is the best time for you to sit down and read? Is it in the morning when you first wake up, or is it in the evening when you are winding down before bed? Choose the time of the day when you are less likely to be interrupted. (I like to read during my baby’s nap time or at the end of the day when everyone is asleep.)
- Set a reading goal. I currently have a goal to read 52 books this year, which equates to reading one book per week. By setting a goal for myself, I can hold myself accountable each day to actually getting some reading done. If you are learning to incorporate reading into your daily schedule, I suggest starting with a smaller goal. Try to read aloud for 10 minutes each day or read quietly before bed three times a week. Whatever goal you set for yourself, make sure you are reading daily.
When is the last time you have read a good book? Have you read any books lately? Share with me in the comments below!
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