The Best Way to Find More Time to Read

The Best Way to Find More Time to Read

There is no secret. As simple as it sounds, finding time to read boils down to choices about how you allocate your time. And allocating your time is how successful people increase productivity. It's all about prioritization and making conscious decisions about how you spend your precious hours.

When reading, I generally take notes. I’m underlining, synthesizing, asking questions, and relating concepts from other things I’ve read. This active engagement with the material allows me to digest and retain the information better. It's not just about passively consuming words on a page, but actively processing and internalizing the knowledge.

If you assume that the average person spends 3–4 hours a day watching TV, an hour or more commuting, and another 2–3 hours a week shopping, that’s 28 hours a week on the low end. That's a significant amount of time that could be dedicated to reading. Imagine the number of books you could devour if you reallocated just a fraction of those hours to reading.

When I’m not reading, I’m trying to think about what I’ve just read. I don’t pull out a book while I’m in the checkout line at the grocery store. While everyone else is playing the “which line is longer game,” I’m toying with something I’ve read recently. Ignorance is more expensive than a book. Reading shouldn't be confined to designated reading time only. It should permeate your thoughts and conversations throughout the day. By actively engaging with the material even when you're not physically reading, you extend the benefits of reading beyond the act itself.

To me, reading is more than just a raw input. I read to increase knowledge. I read to find meaning. I read for a better understanding of others and myself. I read to discover. I read to make my life better. I read to make fewer mistakes. Reading is a tool for personal growth and self-improvement. It's not just about acquiring information, but about applying that information to enhance your life and decision-making.

Even Nassim Taleb, author of Antifragile, points out that several ancient philosophers grasped the concept of antifragility. Odds are that no matter what you’re working on, someone somewhere, who is smarter than you, has probably thought about your problem and put it into a book. There is a wealth of wisdom and insight waiting to be discovered within the pages of books. By reading, you tap into the collective knowledge and experiences of those who have come before you.

In The Prince, Machiavelli writes, “A wise man ought always to follow the paths beaten by great men, and to imitate those who have been supreme, so that if his ability does not equal theirs, at least it will savor of it.” Seneca, on the same subject, wrote, “Men who have made these discoveries before us are not our masters, but our guides.” These quotes highlight the importance of learning from the wisdom of those who have achieved greatness. By immersing ourselves in their works, we can gain valuable insights and guidance that can propel us forward in our own endeavors.

"The rich invest in time, the poor invest in money." This quote by Warren Buffett emphasizes the value of time as a precious resource. We should treat our time as an investment and allocate it wisely. Instead of mindlessly spending hours on trivial activities, we should consciously choose to invest our time in reading, which can yield immense returns in terms of knowledge and personal growth.

Charlie Munger, a voracious reader, billionaire, and vice chairman of Berkshire Hathaway, once commented: “In my whole life, I have known no wise people (over a broad subject matter area) who didn’t read all the time – none, zero.” Munger's statement highlights the correlation between wisdom and reading. Those who are constantly seeking knowledge through reading tend to possess a deeper understanding and broader perspective on various subjects.

Side effects of reading more may include increased intelligence, an uncomfortable silence when someone asks you what happened on Game of Thrones last night and you say “Game of what?”, better ideas, and increased understanding of yourself and others. The benefits of reading extend far beyond the acquisition of knowledge. It enhances your cognitive abilities, broadens your horizons, sparks creativity, and deepens your empathy and understanding of the world and those around you.

Incorporating more reading into your life is not an impossible task. Here are three actionable pieces of advice to help you find more time to read:

1. Prioritize reading: Make reading a non-negotiable part of your daily routine. Set aside dedicated time each day to immerse yourself in a book. Whether it's early in the morning, during your lunch break, or before bed, find a time that works best for you and stick to it.

2. Minimize distractions: Create an environment that is conducive to reading. Turn off your phone or put it on silent mode, find a quiet and comfortable spot, and eliminate any potential distractions. By eliminating external interruptions, you can fully immerse yourself in the reading experience.

3. Make it a habit: Like any other habit, reading requires consistency and repetition to become ingrained in your daily life. Start small by committing to reading a few pages each day and gradually increase the duration. Over time, reading will become a natural and enjoyable part of your routine.

In conclusion, finding more time to read is a matter of conscious choice and time allocation. By prioritizing reading, actively engaging with the material, and making it a habit, you can unlock the immense benefits that reading has to offer. So, put down that TV remote, close that online shopping tab, and pick up a book. Your mind and soul will thank you.