Do you read something and assume it’s all true or do you mull it over? Think things through from both sides, even if it makes you uncomfortable to consider opposing or alternative thoughts.
We may not always like the truth but the truth will set you free.
Does it fill you with joy or sadness? Are you more tense because of it? Does it make you angry, frustrated or alone?
Reading is a great and underused skill. Though reading good, positive and enriching things is so important. Don’t waste your time on junk. Look at what junk food does to a body. Imagine that with your brain.
What are you reading? Why are you reading it? Reading is an investment in time and yourself. Are you reading for pleasure or knowledge or both? I often find I am reading for both. Though that wasn’t always the case.
When I was 12-ish, I don’t recall reading much outside of school requirements. Contrast that with today where I read a lot. I am a consumer of knowledge and generally useful facts. I read at a decent speed but slower if it is media.
Media influence:
For media, I am constantly questioning the angle and information that they are providing. For example, if a journalist gives the figure in percentage terms, I ask myself why they didn’t provide the raw number, or both. I have the same thought if they only give the raw number.
It’s more exciting reading if the Dow ‘drops 2,000 points’ rather than 6%. It has more impact on people who remember the Dow at 8,000 and know that a 2,000 point fall would be massive. Whereas 6% is rather commonplace in a volatile market.
When shown a graph, why did they chose the start date and end date they did? Does it support their story better? What if you shifted the dates they gave you and selected other dates 10 or 15 years earlier? Would the story they are telling, to influence your thinking, look different if they used different data?
Brain Training:
Be careful what you allow into your mind. Reading is a way to train your brain. Make sure you are consuming healthy, mind-strengthening prose. Make sure it doesn’t just make you feel good or affirm your biases. Ensure it stretches your mind and adds value to your life.
This weekend, I started re-reading ‘The Great Crash, 1929’, by John Kenneth Galbraith (another fine Canadian). I forgot he had such a keen sense of humour and great insight into the human psyche. Given the very sobering topic, he makes it oddly enjoyable to read. It really does remind me that ’it’s all the same, only the names will change’. History does repeat itself, so learn from it.
Have a look at what you are reading. Are you reading for pleasure or knowledge, or both? Shift your focus a little if you want different results.
If you are looking for some useful books on personal finance, personal development or weight loss, send me an email at scott@scottsthinking.com and I would be happy to give you a few of my favourites.
