Okay, so we might read books that serve our professional development. But they aren’t designed to challenge you. They’re designed to be consumed and digested during our commute or a single plane trip—this is especially so for most business books.

Now we read to complete the book, as if finishing a book or article is an end in itself. It’s not. Reading is a skill that advances an understanding of yourself and the world around you, challenging you and fostering your growth.

For reading to accomplish these vital tasks, you have to radically alter how you perceive and approach reading. Here are a few guidelines to help transform your experience with books:

1) Seek out books that will challenge your understanding about human nature. An excellent place to start is ancient Greek philosophy with the works of Plato and Aristotle. Even if you’re not interested in philosophy per se, the ancient Greeks set the foundation upon which Western civilization is based, informing virtually every field of study including law, politics, health, psychology, and natural and social sciences.

2) Instead of reading to complete a book, seek answers to specific questions. This will give your reading more purpose and focus.

3) When reading difficult books, first try to understand the author’s central message. Then open an inner dialogue with the author, comparing and critiquing the work based on what you believe (or know) to be true. In reading the Great Books of the Western World, for example, you’re reading a historical progression of ideas. To witness the development of the understanding and challenges man has faced, read with an open mind and appreciate the context of the author’s time period as best as you can.

4) Make reading a priority. Most people claim they don’t have time to read books anymore. If you don’t consciously carve out time blocks for daily reading, who’s responsible for this lack of time? Left unchecked, life’s busyness will rob you of the joys and benefits of serious reading.

5) Highlight and mark up challenging books, taking notes, capturing ideas as you read. If your purpose in reading is to deepen your knowledge and understanding, you need to approach book reading in a more serious, active way.

As I’ve mentioned in prior posts, Adler’s How to Read a Book is an excellent guide to learn the art of reading.

Related posts:

1. Reading with Purpose
2. Reading Categories
3. Five Strategies to Improve Reading Effectiveness

The word “idea” symbolizes opportunity, a new frontier, making things better, smarter, and different. Ideas are linked to great minds throughout history—Aristotle, Leonardo Da Vinci, Galileo Galilei, Ben Franklin, Abraham Lincoln, Thomas Edison, and Albert Einstein. Great ideas fuel our evolution.

A new idea solves problems, fixes errors and swings the doors of opportunity wide open. Ideas change things. Ideas enable us to grow and become more. Ideas unlock the gateway to the unimaginable, the unthinkable and the great abyss of the unknown.

Our abilities to birth, harness, develop and execute ideas determine the level of prosperity we are able to realize as a culture. Your belief about ideas and about your ability to generate them will dramatically affect your idea production. Those who feel “idea worthy” will have less difficulties conceiving of these mystical creatures.

Armed with an infinite reservoir of ideas, you become a champion in whatever field or area you choose to focus your attention. With free flowing ideas, you always find an unlocked door to opportunity.

• You’re never short a sum of money; you’re only short of an idea.
• You’re never short a new job; you’re only short of an idea.
• You’re never short new customers; you’re only short of an idea.

Ideas are the currency of the mind—the more valuable ideas you have, the more abundance you will experience. When you learn to embrace your creative self, the world transpires in your favor.  Awe-inspiring career achievement, business development or financial aspiration becomes only a matter of time.

So what ideas are you embracing?

Related posts:

1. Allowing Ideas to Enter Your Mind
2. Child Mind versus Mature Mind
3. Try Mind Mapping