Why Should I Read?

Reading as I indicated in my earlier article “the case for self/personal development“, is one of the many tools for self-development. Reading is defined by many as a cognitive process that involves decoding symbols to arrive at a meaning. Thus, it is said to be an active process of constructing the meanings of words. Reading is good for everyone for it is of great value. Scanning through many articles on the subject and per my own experience, I have put together in this article 9 (nine) compelling reasons why you need to make reading a habit.

1. Your analytical abilities are sharpened

Reading gets your mind working across different areas. In reading your analytical abilities and imaginations are broadened. By this as a young professional, you can engage others on subjects without difficulty. The reason is that you have trained the mind to easily grasp issues and relate them to project meaningful understanding. It is said that reading is a neurobiological process that works out or strengthens our brain muscles. In effect, it’s one of the best mental workout or exercises for the brain. In fact, research indicates that reading helps to slow down cognitive decline and even decreases the rate at which memory fades.  It fires up your imagination and stimulates the memory centres of your mind. It helps recall information as well as stabilize your emotions. These are critical elements for one’s ability to analyse issues effectively. Start reading today and keep your memory sharp and your analytical abilities enhanced.

2. Boosts communication skills

Both reading and writing work to improve one’s communication skills. That’s why if you’re looking to become a better writer, many of the suggestions that you come across will include reading more. We all know that good communication and writing skills are needed in many professional engagements, without which you stand to lose your relevance with time. Another vital role of reading lies with an enhanced oratory skill. This is to say that reading teaches you new words and perspectives; it helps strengthen language and sharpens sentence structure; giving you a better command over the language. All of these are critical to being a good communicator.

3. Enhances intelligence

When you read a lot, you undoubtedly learn a lot. The more you read, you can make it to the level of being considered “well-read.” Having a diverse set of knowledge will make you a more engaging conversationalist and can empower you to speak to more people from different backgrounds and experiences. This is because you can easily connect based on shared information. Knowledge, they say is power. The more you read, the more you get to know! The more you read, the more you will learn about the world and the people in it. One of the great benefits of reading is that it helps you evolve your understanding of the world. Leaders will always want to surround themselves with intelligent people – people whose understanding have been widened to effectively appreciate issues and solve difficult questions. This is a major factor in the job market.

4. Enhances creativity

Reading has the potential to boost your levels of creativity. Whether you read about a specific craft or skill to boost it or you are reading randomly for fun, the words could spark new ideas or images in your mind. You may also start to find connections between seemingly disparate things, which can make for even more creative outputs and expressions. As a Christian, one of the things I have come to appreciate from scripture is the fact that man is blessed with some measure of God’s creative ability. All we need to do is engage in activities or disciplines that will stir up this creative ability in us. A dynamic society, coupled with unending challenges, will require individuals who would want to stand to be counted to adopt new ways of doing things.

5. Keeps you humble 

Reading is a constant exercise in humility. The more you read, the more you realize how much you don’t know. It reminds you of how much further you still need to go. Each book reminds you of how limited your knowledge is. Does this suggest that ignorant people are most arrogant? That is for you to judge.

6. Develops critical thinking skills

One of the primary benefits of reading books is its ability to develop critical thinking skills. Critical thinking skills are crucial when it comes to making important day-to-day decisions. Reading requires an individual to think and process information in a way that watching television can’t. The more you read, the deeper your understanding becomes about what you’re reading and its application.

7. Builds Confidence

In a world where competition in every walk of life prevails, we need to build a certain kind of personality full of confidence. Confidence will cause one to try new ways of doing things and face difficult challenges without budge – people of confidence don’t give up easily – unless probably all known courses of action they have known about through reading or studying have been explored.  Reading books sharpens many skills and they all together build confidence in oneself.

8. Broadens Horizons

By reading books, you get a glimpse of other cultures and places. Books expand your horizons, letting you see other countries, other people and so many other things you have never seen or imagined. It’s the perfect way to visit a strange country in your mind.
When you read a book, you are on the receiving end of knowledge. The sender, the writer is delivering a message, imparting something of value, a fact, an opinion, a view or at the very least an emotion. So it won’t be wrong to say that reading actually flexes emotions. It builds a connection between the reader and the writer you have never met or known before. Even if you disagree with what they are delivering, you get to know them, and you connect to them on an emotional level.

9. Readers are Leaders

To climax it all, almost all great leaders were and are readers. One reason they are respected and known for their wisdom is that they develop healthy reading habits. For centuries, reading has been the source of inspiration, growth and new ideas. It is a valuable investment in one’s own personality with uncountable and long-lasting benefits. If you want to become a great leader, I want to encourage you to read. It will keep your mind healthy and productive. Only then you will be able to impact the world in a better way.

References

The Many Benefits of Reading
https://www.uopeople.edu/blog/why-its-important-to-read/
Importance And Benefits Of Reading Skills In Communication
https://harappa.education/harappa-diaries/importance-of-reading/
23 Reasons Why You Need To Encourage Kids To Read by Serious Reading
https://seriousreading.com/blog/1001-23-reasons-why-you-need-to-encourage-kids-to-read.html
30 Reasons to Read Books by Serious Reading
https://seriousreading.com/blog/283-30-reasons-to-read-books.html
12 Reasons Why You Should Read More Books by Georgette Rivera
https://www.theodysseyonline.com/12-reasons-should-read
10 Benefits of Reading: Why You Should Read Every Day by Lana Winter-Hébert
https://www.lifehack.org/articles/lifestyle/10-benefits-reading-why-you-should-read-everyday.html