5 Tricks To Read More Often
Reading is one of the most overlooked habits of successful people. Look at any number of high-flyers and you will see that reading was part of it. President Obama is a voracious reader; Mark Cuban reads 3 hours a day. When asked about the reason for his success, Warren Buffett said, “I read a lot. I just sit in my office and read all day.” As a child, Steve Jobs, Elon Musk, and Einstein were all avid readers. We rather think of these outliers as natural geniuses or an incredibly lucky few, but the truth is that they spent countless hours getting smarter by reading day after day. Other than its relaxing benefits, reading allows you to learn from other’s achievements without falling for rookie mistakes any person eventually makes. Every time you read you get a deeper knowledge of the things that, one day, can be very useful in your field.
Now when I say reading, I mean "deep reading" as opposed to the superficial reading we do on blogs and newspapers. This kind of deep reading in my view can only come from books. Be it digital or actual paper copies. But as long as they are long-form books. Reading, be it only 15 minutes a day will dramatically change your life. Here I will give you some tricks to develop a reading habit so that you can gain the knowledge to get to eventually get to your goals.
5 Tricks To Read More Often
Read at the Same Time
To create a habit, it's better to read at the same time every day. You can read during breakfast, on the bus, or right before going to bed. Give yourself as little as 10 minutes to read, but do it at the same time every day so that it becomes a habit.
Cut-off All Distractions
During your reading time, television, phone, the internet should be avoided. All notifications should also be turned off. Keep it quiet and the benefits will be greater. Outside of the home, a quiet spot in a park or any green space may well do the trick.
Make A List
I keep two lists. A list of books I want to read and a list of books I have already finished. (You can use any simple note taking app for this. I use Google Keep)
When someone recommends a book to me or when I see an interesting book on Amazon, I add it to the first list. This way I don’t miss out on reading ideas, and I can also vary the subjects depending on what I’m in the mood for. You should do the same.
Always Keep a Book On You
Take a book with you wherever you go. You never know when you have some free time while waiting for something. A book is a good way to pass the time and is a lot more useful than checking your social media accounts.
I recommend keeping digital versions of your books on your smartphone, that way you don’t need to carry an actual book with you. I recommend the Kindle App for iOS and Android. (You Can Sign Up Here. It’s Free)
Listen to Audiobooks
Stuck in Traffic? Need to do the dishes? Listen to an Audiobook while doing your repetitive tasks and save time while learning something new. It’s especially useful when you’re commuting.
The best service for this is Audible. It is free to use for 30 days and if you already use Kindle it syncs across all your devices so that you can start a book in audio and finish reading it from where you left off on your Kindle. Another cool feature is that you can control the speed of the playback, I play my books at 1.5x speed, and it doesn’t affect my comprehension.
I have found that some books are even better in audio format because it allows you to better understand certain intentions of the author that you would otherwise not get in writing.
Do you have other tips or tricks to maintain a reading habit? Let me know below.
Military Dad Defends His 4 Little Daughters When Strangers Make This Rude Remark
Military Dad of 4 Daughters Defends His Girls When Strangers Make This Rude Remark
Austin von Letkemann is the military officer strangers feel "sorry" for — and the reason is infuriating.
Whenever the devoted father leaves the house with his four children, strangers can't help but notice the officer in uniform is holding hands with 4 adorable little girls. They will tell the traditionally "masculine" and "all American" dad they feel sorry for him, because he has no sons. This dad makes one thing very clear: They are his daughters, they aren't a burden.
In a passionate video, von Letkemann took to Instagram to share with his followers that the only thing that's "difficult" about being a girl dad — is clapping back to these sexist remarks over and over again.
They Mock His Daughters To Their Face
When strangers approach Austin von Letkemann and his four daughters, they don't always realize that their comments are being overheard. They seem oblivious to the fact that his girls understand every word. Von Letkemann describes how people will approach him and, without thinking, make remarks like "I'm sorry" or even joke about his lack of sons. What they don't realize is that these comments, intended to be light-hearted or humorous, can be deeply hurtful to his daughters. These strangers are not just disrespecting von Letkemann's choices as a father; they're also sending a message to his daughters that their presence is something to be pitied. It’s a message that von Letkemann won't stand for, and he's speaking out to defend his girls from these insensitive remarksSaying "Get Your Shotgun" Isn't Funny — It's Sexist
Another common comment that Austin von Letkemann encounters is the old "better get your shotgun ready" trope, often delivered with a smirk or a wink. This line is typically intended to suggest that a father with daughters should be on high alert to protect them from potential "suitors," implying that they are objects to be guarded rather than individuals with agency.
Von Letkemann finds this line of thinking outdated and sexist. In his viral Instagram video, he points out that these jokes are not just stale — they're damaging.
By suggesting that his daughters require armed protection, the joke reinforces the idea that women are inherently vulnerable and need to be shielded from men. Von Letkemann argues that instead of promoting this narrative, society should focus on teaching respect and consent, challenging these sexist tropes at their source.
Watch Austin von Letkemann's Video:
"If I Had A Fifth Child, I'd HOPE It Was A Girl" — One Dad's Message For Other Parents
Despite the constant remarks about his lack of sons, Austin von Letkemann is clear: He wouldn't trade his daughters for anything.
In fact, he told his Instagram followers that if he were to have a fifth child, he would hope for another girl. This declaration isn't just about doubling down on his pride in his family — it's a pointed response to those who see fathering daughters as a misfortune.
Von Letkemann's stance is a powerful one, rejecting the notion that a family is incomplete without sons. He encourages others to question the assumptions behind these comments and to appreciate the joy and fulfillment that his daughters bring. By sharing his story, von Letkemann hopes to create a more inclusive perspective on fatherhood, one that values daughters just as much as sons.