Cal Newport talks about how he reads 5 books every month. Cal gives 5 tips to accomplish this. The first tip is to read more interesting books. The second tip is to schedule reading like you would exercise. The third tip is to put rituals around reading. The fourth tip is to do closing pushes.
Cal breaks down his strategy into five key points:
- Choose More Interesting Books: He advises diversifying reading choices, mixing genres, and alternating between audio and written formats to keep engagement high.
- Schedule Reading Sessions: Treat reading like exercise by allocating specific time slots in your calendar. Waiting for the right mood rarely leads to progress.
- Develop Reading Rituals: Create enjoyable routines around reading, like having a drink or setting up a cozy space, to make it a more enticing activity.
- Utilize Closing Pushes: When nearing the end of a book, dedicate focused blocks of time to complete it, leveraging the momentum.
- Make Your Phone Boring: Cal’s most impactful strategy involves removing distractions from his phone, particularly social media apps, to redirect idle time towards reading. By defaulting to a book in moments of boredom, he increases reading productivity significantly.
Cal emphasizes that reading enhances cognitive abilities and offers a competitive advantage in knowledge work. By prioritizing reading, individuals not only exercise their brains but also avoid the negative effects of excessive screen time on social media. Ultimately, he asserts that the reading life is not just a deep life but also a fulfilling one, suggesting that with the right approach, the goal of reading five books a month is achievable and enriching.