READING: The WAY Forward

 As Written By: J. C. IRO 

The word 'reading' has a variety of meanings according to the English Lexicon, some of which include:

• The cognitive process of understanding a written linguistic message 
• A particular interpretation or performance 
• A datum about some physical state that is presented to a user by a meter or similar instrument

Of all the definitions above, our central focus is that of number one. Reading is one of the major challenges facing the younger generation for several reasons such as: 

• Poor Academic Background 
• Little or no passion whatsoever in the reading- activity 
• Societal factors etc. 

However, Leadership is a function of Readership and we cannot take reading away from the ideal leader. The solution to the problems of the future lies in the knowledge acquired today. So it is suicidal shying away or fighting shy of reading. 

A Run, away from STUDYING is a Run into SUFFERING - mentally and otherwise

WHAT DO I DO TO DEVELOP MY READING SKILLS???

The idea behind this entire write-up is to help you become a voracious reader and one passionate for information. To surmount the challenges to developing a good reading culture you must do the following: 

CREATE A PASSION FOR READING 

 

Nothing Olympian [great] is achieved without passion. Simply put, Passion is a 'driving force' and it pushes one daily in the direction of one's goal, which in this case is reading. If you can change your mindset about how boring an activity reading may seem, then you're pretty close to developing passion for it. Passion begins with your mind; what do you perceive reading to be? Create that passion today. 

HAVE A PLAN

It is often said that:

One who fails to plan inevitably plans to fail

You must make reading a CONSCIOUS and DELIBERATE activity by planning i.e. making it part of your daily activities. Haven't you noticed how we make time for other activities like - 'going to work', 'hanging out with friends', 'face-timing', 'chatting' etc., a deliberate part of  our day? So also we must fix reading into our 'to - do - list' each day. 

FIND YOUR INTEREST FIELD

Wondering what this implies? Well, this is it - We all don't have same interest when it comes to reading. For example - Mr. A may enjoy consuming information on 'politics', Mr. B on 'sports', Mr. AB on 'romance novels', Mr. BA on 'finance/business' and so on. But whatever the case, engaging in interest fields can help us develop a good reading culture. Isn't this interesting? So find your interest field and make it your training ground. 

DISCIPLINE

This is the bitter part about reading. It entails a lot, ranging from - 

• overcoming the inertia of leaving your comfort zone to: 
• picking up that book, publication, article etc., and going through it painstakingly. Also it entails:
• staying in that reading position for the stipulated duration, say 3 hours. 

This is where many fail the test of reading. Discipline also entails the complete removal of any distracting material e.g. your mobile phone etc., in order to maintain 100% concentration in study. 

In addition to discipline, you must be consistent. Don't dabble in and out, it's unhealthy for you! You must keep at it each day because somehow, consistency helps you build stamina, and stamina builds strength and an advancement in strength is a positive progression in the READING CULTURE. 

PRAYER

Strange right?! Well, if we trace our origin properly, we will find that our existence has a spiritual undertone and we also must connect with our 'source/creator' in matters that pertain to us. As wonderful and feasible as the points written above and in other articles may prove to be, it will amaze you to know that 'some persons' may apply these and it may not work for them. But i have never seen or heard of one who asked GOD for help and was left unanswered. 

PSALMS 32:8 (NIV)

I will INSTRUCT you and TEACH you in the WAY you should go; I will COUNSEL you and WATCH over you

Divine Direction in all of life's activities comes from GOD; He alone can lead you and equally guarantee an excellent outcome for you. 

JOB 32:8

FOR there is a SPIRIT in man [you] and the BREATH of THE ALMIGHTY gives him [you] UNDERSTANDING

When all other methods and methodologies of men prove abortive, TRY PRAYER! TRY GOD!