How reading levels up your application (and how to do it)

Books are the highest density, bang for your buck source of information out there. They provide new perspectives and context that is super important to crafting a well rounded application. Plus, reading helps us become better writers and better speakers, which levels up the personal statement and the interview.

So all of this is great. Except for one problem.

Books are boring.

So here’s how I made reading way more fun.

Step 1: Make it EASY

I started by reading books I knew I’d enjoy. Harry Potter. Percy Jackson. I picked books that had an exciting enough story that I’d want to pull it out to read whenever I had the temptation to look at my phone. I left a copy on my desk and in my bag for easy access.

Once this became a habit, I wanted to try moving on to something new. But then I ran into a problem. I’m the kinda guy that reads 50 reviews online before buying a $10 notebook to make sure I’m getting the best value one. So I found myself spending way too much time researching the “best book to read” (whatever that is) instead of actually reading.

The solution?

Step 2: Don’t optimize, satisfice: accept an available option as satisfactory

I forced myself to go to the bookstore and just pick something. Anything. Whatever looked interesting. Now, I often hear that we all need to read non-fiction, and that fiction is a waste of time. I don’t agree with this. Reading is and can be for pleasure, and the goal here was to read more, not read more non-fiction. So your boy picked up books from the teen best reads section and the business section.

Once I started reading, though, I ran into a third problem. Sometimes, the books would get boring, but by some unspoken rule I thought I had to finish a book once I’d started. So I’d put off reading it, and would eventually stop reading. This stopped my habit in its tracks. So this is what I did.

Step 3: Don’t stress about finishing

We don’t finish every news article, blog post, or YouTube video. It keeps our attention for as long as it’s interesting. Why should books be any different? Whenever a book started to get stale or boring, I’d flip ahead and skim through for anything interesting. Then, I’d simply find another book and move on.  More often than not, I’d find myself returning to the book a few months later because the stuff that I thought was boring had now become relevant and interesting.

Hope you found this helpful!

As always, I’m always super happy to hear from you. If you have any questions, leave a comment or send me a message on IG!