Reading is a waste of time.
That is, unless the reader frames his purpose.
Clarity in purpose is critical; it optimizes meaning. Approaching reading with a lack of focus and with inattention is counterproductive. It places limits on positive outcomes to the experience. For example, when I realize my mind is wandering or my attention is in “skim” or “scan” mode, I stop, to avoid missing meaningful takeaways.
To frame my reading experience so it maximizes my outcomes, there are several questions I ask myself.
What do I notice about my reading/learning patterns? When in the day do I achieve “flow”? When I’m distracted, what do I allow myself to be distracted by?
When are the times of day and conditions under which I learn best? How can I structure my day so I can stick to those patterns that work best for me?
Where do I lack the discipline to become distracted? When I get off course, what small adjustments can I make?
How am I holding myself accountability for a) reading for meaning and b) taking action on the words and ideas that are impacting my thoughts?
Who can I look to as mentors or accountability partners in this work?
Questions like these may guide others towards continual progress and improvement. While I’m not perfect, I find that always returning to my purpose keeps me focused on making sure that reading is never…a waste of time.
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