Seven Ways to Get into a Reading Mindset in 2023

When I was little, my mom, who was a teacher, shared her thoughts on the value of reading. She said, "Reading is a great way to learn and helps you write and speak well too."

As I got older, I understood the value of what my mom shared. I know there are tremendous benefits to daily reading.

The Influential Communicator should read as much as possible. Why? Well, what Mom said, and the fact that reading is one of the best ways to learn and keep your brain healthy. Along with good breathing and exercise, continued learning (reading falls into this category), maintains brain neuroplasticity.

For this month's Influential Communicator Newsletter, let's focus on reading tips and 48 books for you to consider in 2023. My reading goal was 30 books for the year. However, after devouring Jim Kwik's book, "Limitless," I picked up some great reading habits and speed-reading tips, advancing beyond my initial goal.

Here are several ways for you to get into a reading mindset, which will help you to read more and absorb information quickly. Some of these tips are from the book, Limitless, and several are my own ideas on how to increase reading / learning during my career.

#1. Read because you want to read and not because you must read—your attitude about reading matters. I choose to read because reading takes me on a journey. When you're absorbed in a good book, you forget about everything else. Of course, if you don't like the book, you don't have to finish, which is the next tip.

#2. Read what excites you. If you stumble upon a book you don't like, or can't find a connection with the chapters, put it down and move to a book you'll enjoy. Maybe there's a better time to read this book. When I first picked up Wealth of Nations years ago, I couldn't get through it. I wasn't ready to read this book by Adam Smith, although highly recommended during my MBA program. You can always reconsider another time to see if it resonates with you.

#3 Carve out reading time for yourself and make it a reading habit. I read every morning and at night, regardless of the time. For example, when I knew I had to be in the city with my husband and stepson for The Abbott Dash to the Finish Line 5K run, I needed to get up before 5:00 a.m. to ensure I got in my reading time (and meditation too). Reading is one of my favorite habits and hobbies.

#4. Read in chunks and reflect (from Limitless). You retain less of what you read if you take in a lot of information at once. I read in 20-minute increments, review new concepts, and then read for another 20 minutes, repeating the process.

#5 Don't let the sound or speed of your voice limit you when you read (from Limitless). In other words, I read in visuals and feel what I'm reading rather than just hearing my voice read the words on the page. It takes practice to do this. However, you can unlock a new and faster speed.

#6. Take in more words using peripheral vision as you read the words on a page (from Limitless). I also use a bookmark or a card to highlight lines rather than looking at individual words. There are words your brain can eliminate, and you'll still understand the meaning of what the author is sharing.

#7. Be open-minded and get into the growth "reading" mindset (a learning mindset) to increase your skills and excel with anything you choose. If you have a fixed mindset, you're less likely to activate what's shared with you. Rather than thinking, I can never do this, you're saying, "With focus and practice, I can do this!"

Now that you have the tips, here's the list of 48 books for you to consider (no particular order) for your reading list in 2023:

Emotional Intelligence / Empathy

·?????Emotional Intelligence by Daniel Goleman

·?????Emotional Intelligence for the Modern Leader by Christopher D. Connors

·?????HBR Emotional Intelligence Series: Focus

·?????HBR Emotional Intelligence Series: Confidence

·?????HBR Emotional Intelligence Series: Mindfulness

·?????HBR Emotional Intelligence Series: Listening

·?????HBR Emotional Intelligence Series: Leadership Presence

·?????HBR Emotional Intelligence Series: Authentic Leadership

·?????HBR Emotional Intelligence Series: Influence and Persuasion

·?????HBR Emotional Intelligence Series: Self-Awareness

·?????HBR Emotional Intelligence Series: Empathy

·?????HBR Series: On Managing Yourself

Business / Life / Growth

·?????Be Exceptional by Joe Navarro

·?????Atomic Habits by James Clear

·?????Limitless, by Jim Kwik

·?????Life and Work Principles by Ray Dalio

·?????Mindsight by Daniel J. Siegel, MD

·?????Mindreader by David Lieberman, Ph.D.

·?????Wanting by Luke Burgis

·?????Seeking Wisdom from Darwin to Munger by Pete Bevelin

·?????Surrounded by Idiots by Thomas Erickson

·?????Abundance by Steven Kotler & Peter Diamandis

·?????The Coaching Habit Say Less, Ask More & Change the Way You Lead Forever by Michael Bungay Stanier

·?????How to Fail at Almost Everything and Still Win Big by Scott Adams

·?????The Dip by Seth Godin

·?????Think and Grow Rich by Napoleon Hill

·?????Champagne for One: A Celebration of Solitude by Rebecca Iliff

·?????Untamed by Glennon Doyle

·?????Instant Confidence by Paul McKenna, Ph.D.

·?????As a Man Thinketh by James Allen

·?????Einstein: His Life and Universe by Walter Isaacson

·?????Self-Reliance and Other Essays by Ralph Waldo Emerson

Inspirational / Spiritual

·?????Psychic Perception by Dr. Joseph Murphy

·?????Maximize Your Potential Through the Power of Your Subconscious by Dr. Joseph Murphy

·?????The Magic of Faith by Dr. Joseph Murphy

·?????Telepsychics by Dr. Joseph Murphy

·?????The Book of Awakenings by Mark Nepo

·?????The Silva Mind Control by Jose Silva

·?????Siddhartha by Hermann Hesse

·?????Autobiography of a Yogi by Paramahansa Yogananda

·?????The Secret of the Ages by Robert Collier

Communications, PR & Marketing

·?????The Art of Persuasion by Bob Burg

·?????Speak Up, Show Up, Stand Out by Dr. Loretta Malandro, Ph.D.

·?????Speaking to Influence by Dr. Laura Sicola

·?????The New Articulate Executive by Granville Toogood

·?????Conversations That Connect by Brooke Sellas

·?????PR Lessons Learned by Marc Whitt

·?????The Body Language Handbook by Gregory Hartley and MaryAnn Karinch

If you’re wondering my top three picks from my reading list above, you can watch my video below:

Of course, feel free to share some of the books on your reading list that we should check out in 2023.

Wishing you the happiest of holidays, all the best in your communications, and learning down every path you take in the New Year. Hope you find some quiet moments to relax, read and reflect during the holiday season.

BONUS: Become The Influential Communication

Many of the books on my reading list have helped me to feel aligned and to get into my Communications Flow. Reaching a state of "Flow" as a communicator means you're aligned vocally, verbally, and non-verbally. At the same time, because you’re tuned in you're more observant of the signals and cues around you. If you’re interested in learning more about getting aligned and in your Communication Flow, then I hope you’ll check out my course and learn how to become The Influential Communicator in 2023. Hope to see you in the course!