“It is what you read when you don’t have to that determines what you will be when you can’t help it.” ~ Oscar Wilde

I am becoming a reader. It is important to start here. Usually I say something like, “I’m not a reader,” or “I don’t like to read.” What we say about ourselves has a way of fulfilling itself though.

If you love learning, like I do, reading is going to be an important part of your journey. If you want to become a better you, reading is essential. So here I am, a reader.

If you struggle to read, I have some reading hacks for you to consider.

1) Start a Book – Simple huh? Yes, grab a regular book and begin reading whenever you are able to sit down and read with proper lighting and so forth.

2) Start an eBook – What?! Yes. There will be times where you don’t have proper lighting or can’t carry a book with you, but you have your favorite device. When my wife and I put our kids to bed, I end up waiting in the dark for them to fall asleep. So I always have my iPad with me.

3) Start an Audio Book – This is where I do most of my reading. I use Audible.com. It is rare that I am just sitting around doing nothing. Whether you are exercising, driving or some other activity, audio books are the way to go.

4) Out-Of-The Box Audio Options – In January I received an email from Audible.com titled “12 Ways to Listen in 2015.” It included 12 quotes from Audible staffers with places they listen. The suggestions were: “On our honeymoon,” “In the dentist’s chair,” “While lifting,” “Planes, trains, and… golf carts?,” “While doing a jigsaw,” “In the shower,” “While running a marathon,” “Painting my new home!,” “Breaking down boxes,” “Road Trippin’,” “Bedtime listening,” and “While running bridges.” If you want the entire quotes, email me.

5) Don’t Finish Every Book – This is my biggest reading hack. If you are still of the mindset that you must finish every book you start, get over it. There is too much valuable content out there for you to be stuck on a book with poor content or one which simply doesn’t hold your attention. Just because your friend loves a book, doesn’t mean you will. It is okay to put the book down and start a new one.