I thought I would share this reading program of personal growth that I developed for myself. I am a person of many interests and consequently read many books on many topics. But with rent, kids, car payment, kids, groceries, kids, my book addiction, kids, phone bill, kids, utilities, kids everything else that requires time and/or money, and the kids. It can be difficult to get all the reading that I want to do.
I got inspired when I worked as a door to door salesman while I was in college. (Ironically I was selling books).
The company I worked for encourages us to start every morning by reading something motivational for 15 to 20 min. It was a great way to start the day. They also encouraged us to review our product knowledge, and sales techniques in the evening.
I thought it was a great idea and adapted it slightly to fit into my life.
I committed to read a minimum of 1 hour every day (you can pick any amount of time based on your schedule...though I recommend no less than 30 min and not more than 3 hours). This sacred hour was divided into 3 sessions throughout the day.
Session #1
Immediately upon rising or shortly after, read something motivational and inspiring. Something that gets you excited. I can be fiction or not. But it must be of a motivating nature.
Examples:
The Bible (or other religious text), The Secret,
Secrets of a Millionaire Mind,
The Power of Positive Thinking,
Think and Grow Rich,
Acres of Diamonds,
The Greatest Salesman in the World parts 1&2,
Eat That Frog,
Excuse Me Your Life is Waiting,
The Celestine Prophesy...etc.
Session #2
Some time in the afternoon while winding down form the days activities, read something educational. Now is the time to actively learn something. Expand your knowledge, learn a new skill, or improve a skill you have.
Examples:
Sales/business training
Personal finance/investing
Learning a new language
Learn a new hobby
improve an existing hobby
Science, history, current events
Note: this must be "leisure learning" that college course you need for your degree or those CEU's you need to keep your job don't count.
Session 3
Before you go to bed read something relaxing and entertaining. This generally means fiction. You are releasing the cares and worries of the day and escaping into a wondrous world of adventure, or romance, or danger, or of struggle, or humor.
This is fun reading you are not actively trying to learning anything to get reved up...this is your adventure before your sweet dreams. Remember when Mom or Dad read a bedtime story to you? This is being a big boy or girl and doing it yourself.
If you really want to "kick it up a notch" you can add an equal amount of journaling and writing along with the reading experience. This will help to "hard wire" your reading experience on a more profound level.
I must emphasize that this is not a supposed to be a chore. This is fun.
If you get stressed about not getting reading done, or you are dragging yourself to the book...this wont do you a damn bit of good; except make you hate me for talking you into this.
No cheating!!! Required college and professional reading do not count. This is supposed to help you grow. Pick topics and books that interest you. If you can’t get into a book you selected...chuck it. Get another. This isn't a chore on your "Honey Do" list.
I hope you have had some fun reading this...Now go read.
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