When was the last time you read a book … has it been a while?
You’re not alone. Only about 1 in 4 Americans read one book/month last year.
Why aren’t as many people reading these days?
Maybe it’s because reading takes more mental effort (compared to Netflix, Fortnite, or TikTok). Maybe we’re way too busy to sit down and crack open a book. Or maybe we’ve just found more interesting things to do with our free time.
Whatever the case, there’s good news for you. If you’ve ever wanted to get ahead in life, books may be the golden ticket. Fewer and fewer people are reading books, so if you become a reader, you have a better chance of getting ahead in life.
“Getting ahead in life” may mean different things to different people—being a better student, being smarter, getting a promotion at work, making more money, being a kinder person. We all want to get ahead in life somewhere.
Here are six ways reading helps you get ahead in life.
- Reading books makes you smarter. Studies have found that reading builds your vocabulary, increases your knowledge of the world, and improves your reasoning skills.
- Reading books makes you better at school. We’re not talking about just reading the books required by a teacher. Reading for fun trains your mind to stay focused, improves your critical thinking skills, and develops your interest in subjects outside your day-to-day world.
- Reading helps you concentrate for longer periods: You’ve probably heard about how a person’s attention span is eight seconds (one second shorter than a goldfish). Reading builds that attention muscle by mentally stimulating you, helping you to stay focused longer.
- Reading keeps elders’ minds sharp: One study showed that older individuals can stem the decline of their cognitive functioning if they’re frequent readers. What a great way for elders to keep their minds sharp.
- Reading makes you more empathetic. When you read fiction, you’re putting yourself in someone else’s shoes. You get a sense for what they’re feeling and thinking. Studies back this up—people who read fiction humanize those they’re around in real life.
- Reading REALLY benefits kids: One study found that “the single most important activity for building knowledge for their eventual success in reading is reading aloud to children.” Enough said.
To get ahead in life, maybe all it takes is a visit to your local library and cracking open a book. Let’s get to reading!
