Reading with Purpose
Creative Professionals are usually avid readers, as the written word offers a wellspring of ideas that lead to learning and growth. We have at least one book we’re currently reading, and oftentimes we have a stack of nonfiction books in constant rotation.
As a consequence of the culture’s obsession with the new, however, we often read a book with the intention of getting to the next book. This objective lacks purpose and is often a waste of time.
Alternatively, we can read with more meaningful intention and purpose, asking questions to ourselves that challenge our understanding as we read. What’s your driving purpose for investing many hours into the book? What are you looking to learn? What are the questions you’d like to answer? Do you agree with the author’s assertions? Do you have enough information to develop a well-informed perspective?
Determining your objectives or purpose in advance will help you stay focused on your task instead of aimlessly flipping from page to page. If you’re seeking those nuggets of truth within the written word, you have to read mindfully and actively.
If you have a clear purpose when reading a book, you’ll be more likely to read the same book more than once. You may sometimes feel that there’s a reading scorecard—you want to check your current book off your list. But what if you only comprehended 10% of the book’s material? If you determined that the book was important enough to read in the first place, why jump to the next book when you’ve only assimilated 10%?
Of course, not every book requires such close attention. Chances are, however, that the most challenging books will offer the greatest long-term rewards.
Keep in mind why you’re reading a particular book. We generally read nonfiction books to acquire specific knowledge and apply this knowledge to our lives. Learn to ask meaningful questions as you read a book as if you’re opening a dialogue with the author. Challenge yourself to further your understanding and re-read the material until the information is assimilated.
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Scott,
Great thoughts! I only read books that I am passionate about. That way, I am sure not to aimlessly flip through any page! I love the idea of dialoging with the author. Putting this concept into practice during my reading makes a book an original 3D experience!