Content

• To step
• Part 1 of 3: Decide what to read
• Part 2 of 3: Organizing reading
• Part 3 of 3: Achieving your reading goal
• Tips

Most people have a purpose in life. You can have goals for your business, goals for your health, and goals for your finances. You can also have goals in other areas, such as creative or relationship goals. Whatever goals are most important to you, you shouldn't neglect mental growth, learning, and self-improvement. If you are comfortable with the information related to your goals, this can help you achieve them.

To step

Part 1 of 3: Decide what to read

1. Decide how much to read. The amount you should read to help you achieve your goal will vary by goal. For starters, you can try to get a general idea of ​​how much to read. This will determine the rest of your schedule.
   • For example, if your goal is to identify edible plants in your area, one or two good books on the subject will probably suffice. On the other hand, if you are planning a new career as a botanist, you will want to read as much as you can about botany. This will include all of the best known books in the art. This will also include many articles from magazines and other periodical publications.
   • Some goals will require you to read about many topics. For example, if your goal is to start a winery, you will naturally want to read books on wine making. But you'll also want to read a few books on running a small business. You will also want to read about the laws and regulations in your area that regulate the production and sale of alcoholic beverages.
2. Research which books you should read. Not all reading material is of equal quality. Before you start reading, take the time to identify the most important things to read. Do your research and find out what are the most important books related to your goal.
   • There are many ways to find books related to your goals. You can go to a bookstore and check the shelves, or ask the store staff for recommendations. Your local library can also provide suggestions.
   • Many online booksellers also provide recommendations based on other books you have looked at. These can be helpful in determining which books to read, even if you don't buy them online.
   • If you know someone who is already very familiar with your topic, ask that person for recommendations.
3. Select periodicals to read. If your main goals require a lot of time-bound information, then it is better if you also include periodicals such as magazines and customers in your reading goals.
   • For example, if your goal is to control stock trading, you will want to read up-to-date information about the better and worse sides of different stocks. This could be the financial supplement of the daily newspaper, for example. It could also be one of the many magazines dealing with investment and finance.
   • Again, you can go to the bookstore or magazine store for this. You can also conduct online searches using the subject and words Magazines or newspapers as search terms. For instance: magazines about wine making.
   • University libraries often have lists of academic journals in various fields of science.
4. Focus on variety. For topics that require a lot of reading, it is a good idea to read content from a variety of perspectives. This is doubly true if your topic is one that sparks a lot of discussion or has many different schools of thought.
   • A good understanding of the topics you read is important for those who really want to excel at their goals. This is especially the case with complex or long-term goals.
   • For example, imagine that your goal is to become an economist. You will soon discover that the neoclassical perspective on economics dominates the field. However, that does not mean that you should only focus on neoclassical economics when reading. There are many other schools of thought in economics, including Keynesian, Marxist and New Classical.

Part 2 of 3: Organizing reading

1. Make a list. After you have determined how much to read and which texts will best help you achieve your goals, create a reading list.
   • At this point, your list should include everything you think can help you achieve your goals.
2. Arrange your list. It's often a good idea when setting a random goal to rank them in order of importance. This will help you prioritize when you are working on your goals. This applies equally to your reading goals.
   • You can rank your reading list based on which reading material you think is the most important to read or the most recommended. Or, if the topic you are reading about is new to you, you can start with some basic introductory texts. Then work through materials for more advanced students.
   • For example, imagine that your goal in life is to become a film director, but you don't know much about filmmaking yet. A good place to start is a book that covers the basic techniques for directors and concepts. On the other hand, a book that describes author theory in detail but does not cover other topics would be something for later.
3. Create a reading schedule. Once you've sorted your list, it's time to set some goals about what you'll read and when. Make a schedule for reading the books and / or periodicals you think are the most important.
   • Be specific about what you want to read and when, setting deadlines for finishing each book, or even each chapter. These deadlines will help you stay accountable for your schedule.
   • Be realistic about what you can achieve. It would be great to read four books a month and keep track of the major trade publications in your field. But most people don't have time for that. Consider your own reading speed and the amount of time you have to spend reading. Based on this, set goals that you can achieve.
   • Setting goals that are too ambitious will lead you to failure and discouragement. This can weaken your motivation to achieve your next goal. That can take away the usefulness of goal setting.
4. Make notes. Once you start reading, it is helpful to keep organized notes about what you have read. This will be useful if you need to reread information at a later date. Ideally, your notes give you the information you need so you don't have to go back to the original source.
   • When taking notes, focus on the big picture, not the small details. These details are often what comes up repeatedly in the text. You can also use visual cues such as bold italic text, chapter titles or the use of graphs, charts and diagrams.
   • Using a summary, note cards, tabs, or other organizational tools will help you find your information more easily later.
   • Research shows that taking notes effectively also helps you better understand and remember what you've read.

Part 3 of 3: Achieving your reading goal

1. Choose a reading moment. Reserve a specific portion of each day for reading. It could be 15 minutes or an hour, but try to read at the same time every day.
   • Making reading part of your daily routine can help you make it a habit. After a short while, reading will become more or less automatic at this time.
   • For example, many people read every night before going to bed. Others make it a habit to read to and from work on the bus or train. And still others like to read first thing in the morning.
2. Stick to your schedule. Don't skip your reserved reading time unless you absolutely have to. If for some reason you have to skip it, try rescheduling it at another time. You don't want to break your routine.
   • Remember that to achieve a goal, you must put in the time and effort that is required. There is no way around it. If you are serious about your reading goals, then you should read regularly.
3. Evaluate the influence. As you work through the reading list, stop to assess whether what you are reading is contributing to the goal. If not, revise your list!
   • You may decide that one of the books you chose does not add anything new to your understanding or knowledge. If so, you can skip that book and maybe other similar books too. For example, at some point you may feel that you have mastered the concept of Keynesian economics. If so, then reading more books on this topic is not your top priority.
   • In contrast, you may find that much of the reading material you have chosen refers to another topic that you don't know much about. If nothing on your list is for that topic, you may be able to add additional reading material. For example, imagine reading about wine making. You may encounter concepts from chemistry that you do not understand. In this case, you should consider adding a basic chemistry book to your list.
   • After all, you may discover that something you have chosen to read is more difficult than what you are ready for. Rather than trying to push on and end up failing to understand much of what you read, you can scroll it down your list and try again later. It can be more valuable reading when you have learned more about the topic.
4. Stay motivated. Motivation and persistence are important to achieving a goal. It is important for following up on your goals to keep your motivation.
   • It's a good idea to make a plan ahead of time with ideas on how to stay motivated and overcome any discouragement you may encounter. Part of that might be having friends nearby who know you might need a pep talk, or a rewards system for reaching milestones.
   • Use reinforcement to boost your motivation. When you reach a milestone, such as finishing a book (or even a difficult chapter), you give yourself a small reward. For example, you can treat yourself to a tasty dessert, grab a movie, or buy a new pair of shoes to finish reading a book on your list. This will help create a positive association with the achievement of your goal and will spur you on to reach the next milestone.
   • If there are any obstacles that make it difficult to follow your schedule for a while, it's okay to revise your plan. For example, imagine someone you care about has a medical emergency. This can make it difficult for a while to focus on wine making books. When things settle down, return and revise your plan. You may be able to make a reasonable plan to get back to your schedule by adding a few minutes to your daily reading time. But if you're too far behind, adjusting your deadlines doesn't mean you've failed.
5. Measure your progress. Another great way to boost your motivation is to measure your progress regularly. Keep track of which books you have finished, or how far you are in a particular book, compared to the schedule you have made.
   • The deadlines in your schedule will help create a sense of urgency and responsibility for achieving your goals. Nobody wants to feel like they have failed.
   • Use a diary, calendar or app to measure your progress and update it regularly.

Tips

• Variety can help you stay interested in your reading material. You can choose a few books that are a bit lighter, or illuminate the subject from a different angle. For example, if your goal is to become a movie director, list a biography of your favorite director. This can complement books on directing techniques and the film industry and add variety.