It would seem to me, that in 2020 my reading goals would have improved after all those lockdowns and the stay at home curfews we had. Everyone had to face this reality in one way or another. I quickly realized that it wasn’t a matter of more time but it was about prioritizing my desire to read. Reading is one of those things that not many people brag about, or is allowed to be showed off. First of all, not everyone I’ve encounter likes to read, and if they do, is maybe 2-3 books a year. Which is not bad. If you are not a reader, this is a very attainable goal. You are talking to a guy here, that only read one book in his whole high school years. Yes, I know. I do have to admit that many times we get enamored with the thought of doing things but not the actual doing it. I would dream of having a book to read, going to some café and sitting in a corner and wistfully going through it.
In that same thought, I dreamt of writing books. Stories, self-improvement books, series. You name it. I have dreamt of it. I believe this desire to write, finally pushed me to read more and more. I would fall asleep the moment I would open a book. I would get lost and reread the same page like three times over. Wanting to grasp every word, I ended up with a very lethargic feeling and my brain could not comprehend anything at all. I would lose track immediately. One day, I saw the video by Jim Kwik. Yes, that is his name. He helps people retain more memory, teaches how the mind functions and is a master at teaching people to speed read. He has been called upon by many actors to memorize their lines and full scripts. I have to give him all the credit because he showed me what I’m about to share with you. He went on to say, that when you read, you must read in complete sentences, your brain cannot grab one word at a time. It’s. Like. You. Pausing. At. Every. Word. People would think something is wrong with you if you were to speak like that. Since we don’t speak like that, we don’t read like that either.
We need full sentences to grab the idea of the subject at hand. Which is the secret to reading faster. I found that you can’t retain every single word, but when you finish a book, you are left with an idea. An emotion. A perspective. We need every word, and we shouldn’t skip words, either. Skimming through pages is not as effective as people say it is. You just have to allow your brain to do it, it is magic. Let it make sense of it and put it together for you. I must say, this was a breakthrough for my reading goals. In 2020 I read 16 books. This year my goal is 20. I know. I’m not bragging, I’m just giving you an example of what power we have from God, as he created us with amazing faculties. Once I began to read this way, It changed me, I began reading with intent. I began to read as a writer, trying to learn how did they put it together. How did the author make everything correlate and make sense of it all? I realized to be a good writer, I have to be a better reader. A reader that reads with purpose. Now, I do take time to read, just to read and pass time. I have not gone to a cafe just yet, but now I read everywhere I go. Any place can become your place. A place where your portal trough to the pages of your book, and stay there as long as time allows.
I use an app called Bookly. What an awesome app that keeps track of your time, books you read, how fast and gives you challenges to keep you motivated. Hey! It works for me. Maybe you don’t need it. But remember from someone that didn’t think reading was important, and reading only one book In tenth grade. I’ve come a long way. It has taken me a few years to realize this, so hopefully, it doesn’t take you that long. Whatever you want to be in life. There is a book you need to read. Might as well use all the tools you can to achieve this important task of reading. Remember read everything, read often and read with a purpose. Not every book will be great, but you must go through them all to get to the ones you love. The other day, I was so excited that I had finished my 5th book thus far. My younger daughter Makayla turns around and tells me, “That’s great dad! But have you finished writing your book?” Goals can be daunting, but nothing is impossible. My daughter knows my goals, and she quickly pointed them out to me, nudging me to keep writing. Maybe you are reading this today, and it’s your sign. I’m just nudging you to keep reading, keep writing. Allow your brain to capture all it can. You’ll be amazed at how much more you can accomplish this year! Let me know how it goes! Till next time.
BY JUAN G. CUEVAS
