Why you should stop reading

"I have a hard time reading."

"Reading is not my thing."

Do you identify with one of those statements? Do you still force yourself to read just because someone told you to? Maybe you read some article (the irony) about how some of the most successful people in the world are voracious readers.

Could it be better to stop reading in this case? Reading words and pages for the sake of checking a box that you read something is dumb (unless you get paid to check the box). You would be better spending your time watching a documentary, listening to a podcast, talking to a friend or otherwise enriching your life.

That being said, reading with the intention of gaining knowledge and enlightenment - consuming and digesting the written word - is a powerful habit to foster. This is one reason why many successful people are avid readers - reading to increase knowledge is continued education.

If you are not currently 'a reader' - although I would imagine you do spend time reading the news, social media posts, emails from family, instructions how to do you job etc.. - and yet you do like the idea of gaining knowledge, here are some ideas you can explore to get yourself on the path to becoming a bookworm:

1. Determine WHY you don't like to read books. Is it boredom? You may be reading the wrong books. Do you feel you know most things you need in life already? Level up and expand your horizon. No time? My teenage son claims he has no time to go to school. Eye or focus issues? It might be time to see an optician (or stop reading on your phone all the time). Find the 'why' and you can define the 'how'.
2. Choose and consume 1 full book. What book you decide to start with is important. It is like introducing movies to someone who has never watched a single film - the first movie matters and will be specific to that persons proclivities. Select a topic you are deeply interested in or has some profound influence in your life. Select the top rated book in that topic or ask your circle of influence for suggestions.
3. Consume the words. This is like eating - opening your mouth, putting food inside and chewing is just the beginning. The digestion happens afterwards and is just as important as the intake action. Set time aside, adjust for good lighting, shun distractions, sit comfortably and expect to be taught. Take notes or highlight directly in the book. If a book is not speaking to you and teaching you something - either you are not in the zone to be taught or you are reading the wrong book.
4. Pick a goal and stick to it. This can be whatever makes sense to you. A certain amount of: pages read, time expended, 'aha' moments experienced, notes written down - or a blend of a few different measures. Define your pace and stay with that pace - regardless of how you feel. Start small and achievable and then build up your pace (if you so choose).
5. Eliminate or greatly reduce time wasting activities. We all need down time where we can just relax and not feel the pressure of life. If we fill all our available time with useless activities under the guise of 'relaxing' - reading will feel like work and our brains will not want to get with it when we are used to the mindless passage of time watching TV, playing games, reading gossip magazines, or just sitting and stressing about everything. Cut that out and intentional use your down time to grow, learn and gain skills. Reading fits right in.
6. Get your ego out of the way. There is so much you do not know and a whole world of information available to you. Books take a considerable amount of effort and time to compile - sometimes years. You can always learn something - even from poorly written books (you learn how to spot lame books).

Stop reading if it's a chore. You will only reinforce your dislike of it.

Start consuming information. Plan it as part of your daily "better/smarter than yesterday" strategy. There is a near infinite amount of material available to you. All you need to do it identify your food source and be hungry.