If your Facebook News Feed, Instagram, or mindless surfing on the Internet has kidnapped your brain, please keep reading. You might want to start feeding your brain more substantial reading material.
“The more that you read, the more things you will know. The more that you learn, the more places you will go.” ---Dr. Seuss
There are numerous lists in magazines and blogs of recommended books for your 2020 Reading Challenge. Suggestions such as:
Book published in 2020
Book that won an award in 2019
Book with a 3-word title
If you have been following my posts, you know that I am committed to a goal commitment this year to read two books per month. My overarching reading goals for 2020 are to Nourish my Mind:
Improve my cognitive skills
Improve my emotional health
Spend time reflecting in a journal on what I have read
Just like the other muscles in our body require physical exercise to be strong, our brains do too. Reading increases our cognitive abilities. Reading is a different kind of workout that requires our brain to think, concentrate, and remember facts and details. Establishing a habit of regular reading has many benefits and can be full of surprises as we learn new things. The benefits I’ve found include:
Exposure to other’s opinions, views, and perspectives
Provides topics for discussion at networking events, cookouts and parties
Increases vocabulary
With age comes a decline in memory and brain function and it’s proven to slow this process
I’ve always loved to read and lately finding time to read while maintaining a coaching business has been a real struggle for me. Despite owning many books that are readily accessible, I struggle to make the time. I love the smell of the public library and coffee houses, so I can sometimes be found in the public library and at Taylor Books, a local independently owned bookstore, working on my projects. My favorite places to read are a hammock, the forest, or my recliner with my dog, Ruger, at my feet. Where is your favorite place to read?
I participated in a reading challenge in 2009. I challenged myself to read 100 books that were checked out from the library in order to earn a gold library card at the end of the year. At that time, I had just finished my master’s degree and enjoyed the change of pace by reading lots of fiction and mysteries. In 2014, I participated in a reading challenge with a colleague to read 2 businesses book per month.
I’m curious - What are you reading? As part of my 2020 Goal Challenge, I committed to reading two books per month. I created a professional development book list, set a reading schedule to hold myself accountable and committed to reflecting in a designated journal.
If you would like a copy of my reading list, please let me know!
Here is a list of business publications you might consider:
The Economist
Wall Street Journal
Fast Company
Inc.
Entrepreneur
If you want to navigate life better, why not commit to reading today?
I wish you days of gratitude, curiosity and compassion. Let me know how I can help you.