## How to Read Better [(00:00:00)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=69JI2HJEWg0&t=0s) - [[Reading]] is considered one of the most powerful and proven life hacks, and it can be beneficial for individuals who struggle with building a consistent reading habit or focusing long enough to read [(00:00:00)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=69JI2HJEWg0&t=0s). - Some people may have difficulty reading due to various reasons, such as struggling to build a consistent reading habit, being unable to focus long enough to read, or having a dislike for reading that may have originated from their school experience [(00:00:08)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=69JI2HJEWg0&t=8s). - The issue of not enjoying reading can be addressed, and it is possible for individuals to develop a love for reading, as evidenced by the personal experience of someone who went from disliking reading due to learning disabilities to loving it and even writing their own book [(00:00:18)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=69JI2HJEWg0&t=18s). - This personal transformation was achieved by navigating lifelong ADHD and finding ways to fall in love with reading, which will be shared in five simple rules [(00:00:30)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=69JI2HJEWg0&t=30s). - Research, including studies, suggests that it is possible to develop a love for reading and improve reading habits, which will be further discussed in the context of the five rules [(00:00:35)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=69JI2HJEWg0&t=35s). ## 1. Read for Pleasure [(00:00:38)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=69JI2HJEWg0&t=38s) - Over half of [[Americans]] read fewer than four books a year, which is not surprising given the potential for [[Reading | reading]] to be a boring and stressful experience, especially when associated with school assignments [(00:00:38)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=69JI2HJEWg0&t=38s). - Growing up with intense ADHD made it difficult to sit still long enough to read, and school assignments often made reading feel both boring and stressful at the same time [(00:00:49)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=69JI2HJEWg0&t=49s). - Having a supportive father who introduced interesting books and did not judge reading choices, whether they were comic books or graphic novels, helped to make reading a more enjoyable experience [(00:01:11)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=69JI2HJEWg0&t=71s). - A major obstacle to reading was self-judgment, feeling like one should read certain books because they are important or classics, rather than reading what one actually wants to read [(00:01:29)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=69JI2HJEWg0&t=89s). - The first rule for developing a love of reading is to read for pleasure, which involves reading about things that bring joy and feeling the pleasure of reading, rather than making it feel like homework [(00:01:39)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=69JI2HJEWg0&t=99s). - Reading should feel like something that is done by choice, because it adds value to one's life, rather than something that is obligatory, and reading about topics of interest can help make this transition [(00:01:59)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=69JI2HJEWg0&t=119s). ## 2. Read on Purpose [(00:02:07)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=69JI2HJEWg0&t=127s) - Books are a remarkable technology that allows people to package and distill understanding, making it possible to download knowledge into their minds, much like Neo from [[The Matrix]], and this can be done at a relatively low cost, all for like under 25 bucks [(00:02:10)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=69JI2HJEWg0&t=130s). - Libraries and bookstores can be thought of as time travel portals, providing access to countless lessons from countless teachers throughout the world and history, which poses a challenge for the aspiring reader to decide what to read [(00:02:31)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=69JI2HJEWg0&t=151s). - With hundreds or thousands of books available that could greatly improve the quality of one's life, offering clear ways to have more money, power, friends, love, and even peace, it can be overwhelming to choose the next book to read [(00:02:45)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=69JI2HJEWg0&t=165s). - To avoid analysis paralysis, it can be helpful to take an honest look at one's life and ask what is most alive for them right now, such as a personal challenge or issue, like low energy levels or insomnia, and then find books that address that specific issue [(00:03:06)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=69JI2HJEWg0&t=186s). - [[Reading]] on purpose, based on a personal challenge or issue, makes the content more relevant and engaging, and helps to realize the empowering potential of books, as seen in the example of reading "The Glucose Revolution" to address blood sugar levels [(00:03:28)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=69JI2HJEWg0&t=208s). - When reading is done with a real purpose, based on lived experience, it can be more enjoyable and effective, rather than feeling obligated to read, and can help to break down complex science into fun and easily digestible information, as intended [(00:03:46)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=69JI2HJEWg0&t=226s). ## 3. Read and Write [(00:04:02)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=69JI2HJEWg0&t=242s) - Reading books that provide useful information and support personal growth is essential, and writing down key points helps to remember them more effectively [(00:04:02)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=69JI2HJEWg0&t=242s). - When reading on purpose, it is crucial to write down important information to remember it, as studies show that writing about what you read makes it more likely to stick in your brain and be retrievable later [(00:04:16)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=69JI2HJEWg0&t=256s). - Note taking is about writing down information you don't want to forget, such as dates, quotes, or factoids, which increases recall, whereas note making is about capturing new ideas or actions inspired by what you read [(00:05:04)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=69JI2HJEWg0&t=304s). - The practice of making notes with an "M" involves questioning and exploring new ideas, as seen in the example of researching how glucose levels affect sleep quality, which led to a discovery about the stress hormone cortisol and its impact on blood sugar levels [(00:05:11)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=69JI2HJEWg0&t=311s). - Both note taking and note making are valuable, and creating a custom collection in a bullet journal is a useful practice for organizing and reviewing notes, allowing for better commitment to memory and providing a resource for future reference [(00:06:08)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=69JI2HJEWg0&t=368s). - The process of taking and making notes can be further explored in the book "The Journal method", which provides a detailed explanation of how to make and take notes effectively [(00:06:55)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=69JI2HJEWg0&t=415s). ## 4. Read Ruthlessly [(00:07:10)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=69JI2HJEWg0&t=430s) - [[Reading]] ruthlessly means not feeling obligated to finish a book that is not enjoyable, as this can make reading a chore and lead to remembering nothing or avoiding the book altogether, a concept that became apparent after realizing that trying to speedread through uninteresting books was not effective [(00:07:11)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=69JI2HJEWg0&t=431s). - Unless reading is for studies or work, books should not be hurried or endured if they feel like a burden, and it is better to give up and move on to find more enjoyable books that exist in every topic and genre [(00:07:49)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=69JI2HJEWg0&t=469s). - To read ruthlessly, one can try the 50-page test for physical books, where if a book does not resonate within 50 pages, it is likely not worth continuing, in order to spend as little time as possible with mediocre books [(00:08:17)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=69JI2HJEWg0&t=497s). - For e-readers, downloading a sample of a book can provide a sense of the writing style and content, allowing for a more informed decision about whether to continue reading, and this approach can help optimize the reading experience [(00:08:41)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=69JI2HJEWg0&t=521s). - When it comes to audio books, listening to a sample can help determine if the narrator's voice is tolerable, as an unpleasant narrator can make even the most interesting book unenjoyable, and this is a crucial factor in deciding whether to invest time in listening to the book [(00:08:44)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=69JI2HJEWg0&t=524s). ## 5. Read Regularly [(00:09:07)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=69JI2HJEWg0&t=547s) - [[Reading]] regularly is essential, and a truly engaging book doesn't demand patience, but rather challenges discipline to tear oneself away from it [(00:09:09)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=69JI2HJEWg0&t=549s). - Reading can often feel like an indulgence due to its quiet and subtle nature in an increasingly loud world, making it necessary to schedule time for it and create conditions to read more [(00:09:23)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=69JI2HJEWg0&t=563s). - To make reading a regular habit, one can block off time in their calendar, make it a ritual by reading with a coffee or at the park, and create a consistent reading schedule, such as reading at the same time every Saturday morning [(00:09:45)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=69JI2HJEWg0&t=585s). - Sitting in a car and reading for 30 minutes before or after work can be a simple way to incorporate reading into a busy life with many distractions [(00:09:57)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=69JI2HJEWg0&t=597s). - Making a reading device, such as a paperback book or a [[Amazon Kindle | Kindle]], more convenient than a phone can help increase reading frequency, and keeping them separate can reduce the likelihood of watching [[YouTube]] or scrolling on [[Instagram]] instead of reading [(00:10:06)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=69JI2HJEWg0&t=606s). - Introducing technology that helps read in small spaces, such as a pocket e-reader, can increase the chances of reading, and taking a regular chunk of time to read can be a grounding practice and a form of rebellion against constant distraction [(00:10:27)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=69JI2HJEWg0&t=627s). - Regular [[Reading | reading]] can help connect with oneself, deeply think about meaningful things, and shut out distractions, making it a valuable habit to cultivate [(00:10:45)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=69JI2HJEWg0&t=645s). ## 1x for inspiration, 2x for integration [(00:11:07)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=69JI2HJEWg0&t=667s) - The concept of "1x for inspiration, 2x for integration" is based on a quote from coach Steven Chandler, who said that reading once is for information and twice is for transformation, but it has been modified to reading once for inspiration and twice for integration [(00:11:07)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=69JI2HJEWg0&t=667s). - When reading a book that has a major impact, it is common to get excited and finish the book quickly, but the information may not fully sink in the first time, making a second read necessary for better understanding and integration [(00:11:24)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=69JI2HJEWg0&t=684s). - Reading a book twice allows for a deeper understanding of the information, as the second read provides more context, making the information more helpful, clear, and actionable, enabling the reader to integrate it into their life [(00:11:36)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=69JI2HJEWg0&t=696s). - The two reads serve different purposes: the first read is for inspiration, while the second read is for integration, and both are important for personal growth and development [(00:11:50)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=69JI2HJEWg0&t=710s). - The concept of "1x for inspiration, 2x for integration" is part of a set of rules to become a better reader, which also includes other rules that were previously discussed [(00:11:55)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=69JI2HJEWg0&t=715s). - Additionally, a weekly newsletter is available that shares thoughts on mindful productivity, writing, and other topics related to personal development, for those interested in learning more [(00:12:01)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=69JI2HJEWg0&t=721s). ## Sources - [website](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=69JI2HJEWg0)