You are What you Read

What have you read lately? Did it change you? Chances are, if you’re like most adult learners, you’re bombarded by media and content that’s, well, boring and spoon-fed to you through some sort of “feed.”

You read news that reinforces your views on issues. You search for articles that tell you exactly what you want to know. And you listen to podcasts or audio books that are “recommended” by people who are just like you, or, worse, by algorithms that give you the same old nonsense. This is not a recipe for growth or change.

What you Consume Matters

We’ve all heard the old saying, “You are what you eat.” It means that if we only consume garbage, then we get garbage results.

Building on this principle that what we consume matters, be it food or ideas, what if we really are what we read? What impact does this have on thoughts, feelings, and actions? How does it serve our desire to learn, grow, and be better humans?

If you’re tired of endless “snacking” on content from your social feeds that simply rehash old ideas that don’t challenge you, then start by changing what and how you read.

If we only read short “nuggets” of simplistic analysis and advice, do we become less critical thinkers about complex issues? If we become hooked on articles and podcasts that only reinforce what we already think or believe, is it as threatening to our mind as sugary foods are for our physical body?

If you want to be something different or become a better version of yourself, then read differently. Try deep reading.

Deep Reading is Nutrition for the Mind

Deep reading is to thought, feeling, and action as good nutrition is to the physical body. Deep reading is a mindful, engaged, and conversational act between a reader and an author. If you want a stronger, healthier mind and to develop new ways of acting in the world, then you have to change what and how you read.

The act of reading deeply is how we engage with big ideas in ways that change us. Having read hundreds of books, thousands of in-depth articles, and even written a book of my own, I am proof that deep reading has transformative power over the mind, body, and soul.

I am grateful for my ability to read deeply, as it has been critical to my professional success and my personal fulfillment. And, with a bit of practice and intention, you can use deep reading to accelerate your success too!

But don’t be fooled, deep reading requires effort. It’s hard work. It requires reading different things, seeking out new forms (e.g., fiction, non-fiction, short story, peer-reviewed articles, poetry, visual media, audio, etc.), new topics, and stretching the limits of your beliefs, values, and world view.

The act of deep reading also requires effort. Deep reading requires time. It can require rereading to make sense of what the author was trying to say. It involves asking critical questions of the ideas that you’re consuming. It involves a dialogue between yourself and the author, as well as between yourself and others who have read the same thing.

So why put in the effort? Why not take short cuts and read a summary of big ideas in the latest blog post, Medium.com article, or just watch some Netflix? The answer is results. Getting better results requires hard work (think diet and exercise).

Most people hate hard work. But you are not most people! You can do hard things. So, if you haven’t read something lately that’s changed you, if you want better results in work or life, or if you’re tired of endless “snacking” on content from your social feeds that simply rehash old ideas that don’t challenge you, then start by changing what and how you read.

Changing What and How you Read

Changing what you read can be as impactful as changing how you read. Here are some simple tips to help you read more deeply.

1. Take an opposing view. For example, if you lean toward the left, read something from the right. If you’re only reading about the ‘pros’ on an issue, look for something that addresses the ‘cons.’
2. Change your profile. Many social feeds and news sites require you to select your interests or preferences when you set up your account. Go to your preferences and select new interests, just to mix up the content that you receive. Leadership, politics, gardening, music — it doesn’t matter, just add something new. Diversify your mental diet.
3. Look on the edges. Mainstream is mainstream for a reason, it’s because it’s what everyone else is reading. It’s what’s popular; and what’s popular isn’t always good. Don’t rely on the ‘best sellers’ list. If everyone is reading X, go seek out Y. Look to the margins, seek out the outsiders, and/or look to different sources for inspiration.
4. Change your mode. I love physical books. But changing the mode through which I read (e.g., online articles, podcasts, videos, etc.) has changed how I “read” and how I think. It can also allow you to engage with big ideas in a different physical space or at different times. To the contrary, if you only listen to podcasts or audio books, try sitting quietly with a cup of coffee, silence your phone, and spend an hour reading in the morning before you start your day.
5. Get a buddy. Deep reading often involves a conversation between you and the author. But having conversations with others who are reading the same thing can have amazingly transformative power on your thinking, feeling, behavior, and, ultimately, results. Get some friends or co-workers who want to read differently and get better results.

Closing Thoughts

Society seems to becoming exponentially dumber than we were 10–15 years ago. According to goodreader.com the average length of a New York Times #1 bestseller decreased by 42% between 2011–2017.

Personally, I think this is a terrifying fact. Why? Because complex problems and complex issues cannot be addressed in “Reader’s Digest” length treatments of fact (sorry Reader’s Digest). For those unfamiliar with Reader’s Digest, it’s basically what it sounds like. It’s a publication that takes big important “meaty” topics and chews them up for readers in a simple to “digest” format. It’s like mind candy for people who want to think that they’re staying informed on important topics.

In his work Brave New World, English writer and philosopher Aldous Huxley, “feared the truth would be drowned in a sea of irrelevance.” That’s what’s at stake here folks: Truth and change. You are what you read. Read deeply and challenge someone else to do the same.

I want to hear from you. How has changing what or how you read changed you? What are you reading now?