Grow Your Mind and Increase Focus Through Reading

“Reading is easy.” ”Reading is hard.” ”Reading is good.” ”Reading is bad.”

The above statements are all true. You’ll experience any combo of the above depending on how you approach reading. My track record with reading likens itself to J-Lo’s acting career. I’m either really good, or really bad. I can digest a handful of books a month; and then follow it up by not reading for six months.

In an age where everyone is flocking to tech, news and entertainment blogs, many are forgetting the fact that what you read is more important than how much you read.

I remember a conversation I had with Ho Nam, a well-respected venture capitalist. I asked, “What blogs do you read?”

His response was simple. “Take a look at my blog. It lists about 20 books I’d recommend highly. In general, reading as much as possible is a good idea. For the most part, I think blogs are a waste of time. Bite sized ideas that are never fully developed. Read some books which are vetted and more well thought out.”

Many people overlook the fact that tech, news and entertainment blogs are nothing more than content factories. They blast out hundreds of stories daily. They’re in the business of cramming, not crafting. Most follow a formula like, “x ways to improve your y,” “what everyone should really know about x,” “scientists discover that taking x improves y,” “why x is the y killer.”

And on, and on…

They blast out content so that you’ll drive up ad impressions, and hopefully over time, click on them. If not then, perhaps later–which is why you’ll see news blogs push for RSS feed readers. It’s a simple formula and business model.

So in this chapter we’ll look at three things:

1. What scientists say about reading’s implications on the mind and focus
2. How one should approach blogs and reading differently
3. Ways to help yourself get into a habit of reading

So let’s get started.

1. What science tells us about reading’s effects on the mind

About ten years ago a profound academic article was released that addressed the question, “What effect does reading have on the mind?” This research was compiled by Anne E. Cunningham and Kaith E. Stanovich, two academics revered for their work in the field of literacy. Their findings drive many concepts we know to be true about reading.

The findings can be broken into 7 ways that reading enhances one’s mind:

1. Reading develops your vocabulary

This one is the ultimate, “duh.” Reading, indeed, increases your vocabulary. However, what you read is just as important as how much you read. The table below displays this principle.

The table is derived from the corpus of written English. This ranks words based on their frequency. The word “the” is ranked number 1; “it” is ranked 10; “pass” is ranked 1,000; “vibrate” is ranked 5,000. You get the point. (You can look up words at Wolfram Alpha if you’re interested in learning more–it’s pretty neat).

In the table below, the column “Rank of Median Word” shows you how tough the medium is in terms of word rank.

Medium	Rank of Median Word
Abstracts of Scientific Articles	4389
Newspapers	1690
Popular Magazines	1399
Adult Books	1058
Comic Books	867
Children's Books	627
Preschool Books	578
Popular Prime-time T.V.	490
Popular Prime-time Children's Shows	543
Cartoon Shows	598
Mr. Rogers and Sesame Street	413
Expert Witness Testimony	1008
College Graduates Speaking to Friends, Spouses	496

A couple interesting observations can be made above. First, the words used in popular adult T.V. shows are less complex than those used in popular children’s shows. Second, college graduates speak to their friends and spouses at levels lower than Preschool books.

What doe this tell us about our society?

One can conclude that we’re being spoon-fed simpler words and simpler ideas as we age. We don’t have the time to comprehend complex vocabulary because, as a whole, we don’t have time to read complex works.

My thesis is that, if we don’t have time to comprehend complex ideas, as a whole, we won’t have time to create complex ideas.

2. Reading develops a wide-range of cognitive abilities

Reading is not just for those who want to impress others through vocabulary. If you’re an academic, that may be the case; but if you’re a normal person (and by normal, I mean not a douche), reading provides significant other benefits. Reading makes you a more focused person. Reading gives you quicker wit. In the end, reading elevates your mood, making you a happier person.

These wide-range of cognitive abilities are driven by the fact that reading requires one thing: thought.

3. Comprehension grows over time

As you read more, you comprehend more. This embodies the Mathew effect, in that the “rich get richer, and the poor get poorer.” Reading has a tough barrier to entry because those who are new to reading, won’t enjoy reading. As you read more, your experience reading becomes more pleasurable.

If you’re a first-time reader, or trying to get back into the flow, simply lower your expectations.

If at first you don’t succeed, lower your standards — Tommy Boy (The Movie)

This tells us that you must press on if your reading experience isn’t pleasurable early on. As you read more, you’ll enjoy reading more.

4. Reading drives street smarts

The study on reading wasn’t geared towards the “goody-too-shoes” kid that aimlessly regurgitates vocab words. The two researchers found themselves under heavy criticism from all sides. “How do you measure knowledge? By being able to comprehend archaic writings? The last thing the world needs are a bunch of hermits that can comprehend Shakespeare.” Many argued that real-world knowledge trumps the ability to score high on an academic aptitude test. For this reason, the researches used both styles of testing for knowledge: academic aptitude tests and street-smart common sense tests.

What they found was rather surprising; those who read more than their peers possessed more practical knowledge about the world around them than did those who hardly read at all.

5. Reading is inversely related to T.V.

In the study conducted by Stanovich and Cunningham, they found that reading’s positive effects were inversely related to T.V.

“We observed a clear effect of reading volume on the scores on the question and significant effect of television viewing, but the effects were in opposite directions! Reading volume was associated with higher scores on the question, but television exposure was associated with lower scores.”

The question they’re speaking of was a sample question they used to test their sample. They asked their students, “are there more Jewish people in the world or more Muslim people in the world?”

This isn’t a trick question. Don’t worry, 69.3% of their sample got this wrong. Even I was hesitant to answer–even though I’ve studied both religions. I knew that their were much more Muslims in the world; however, it’s weird to say because I know more Jews than I know Muslims. The fact is Muslims outnumber Jews around 44 to 1.

Those who read were more likely to get this right. Those who watched T.V. were more inclined to get this wrong (too much Seinfeld watching, heh, heh, heh).

If similar questions hold true for other areas in life, we’re essentially getting dumber–or at least more culturally unaware. And this downward trend is driven by starting at an electronic box.

On the flip side, those that read develop the mind and expand their knowledge about the world.

6. Reading helps you age better

Now you know why you see all the Granny’s reading, eh? Most old folks likely don’t realize the positive effects reading has on aging. Next time you come across an elder reading at the park, make their day by citing the findings of this study.

In a separate study by the researchers, the performance of college students and senior citizens were analyzed based on the following metrics: general knowledge, vocabulary, working memory, syllogistic reasoning and several measures of reading volume.

After a series of analyses, “the positive relationships between age and vocabulary and age and declarative knowledge were eliminated.”

What this means:

“The results of this study are consistent with the conjecture that–in the domain of verbal abilities–reading a lot can even help to compensate for the normally deleterious effects of aging!”

7. Doesn’t matter where you start, just start

“I don’t care who you are, where you’re from, don’t care what you did, as long as you start reading, bayybayy.” – The Backstreet Boys

OK, so that quote wasn’t from The Backstreet boys. Thank Gawddd. However, it is true.

It doesn’t matter who you are, where you’re from, or how smart you are, reading will give you an edge over others.

A person who won’t read has no advantage over one who can’t read. – Mark Twain

The in-depth research finds that reading yields significant benefits for everyone–not just that “prodigy” who sat in front of you in second grade and wore suspenders. Reading has a positive effect on everyone–regardless of background or starting point.

Those who read a lot will enhance their verbal intelligence; that is, reading will make them smarter.

So, it’s pretty clear by now that reading can’t hurt you, it can only help you.

But wait, is that true? Can reading hurt you?

Yes, reading can hurt you.

As outlined above and further emphasized by venture capitalist, Ho Nam, reading books develops one’s mind; however, reading blogs fills the mind with half-baked ideas. In the next section we’ll explore how to approach reading blogs and reading books.

2. Blogs vs. Books

Blogs are for anoraks who couldn’t get published any other way. – Janet Street-Porter

Well, there are more writers of blogs right now than there are readers, so that’s clearly a vanity phenomenon. – John Doerr

Blogs are a great way to monitor and even participate in the chatter about your new site. – Mike Davidson

The quotes above seem to contradict one another, right? If you look closer, though, you can see one thing they all have in common: they’re high on opinion. And people love expressing their own opinion–a need that blogs fill.

It’s interesting to think that less than 10 years ago, blogs as we know them today, really didn’t exist.

At its roots, blogs began as personal journals that were published online. And, in turn, strangers read and commented on them. It was new; it was cutting edge.

It also possessed no sustainability. Why? Because there were more bloggers than readers. And readers only want to read blogs that give them that dopamine fixture and never-ending satisfaction. This gave rise to entertainment and news-driven blogs. We’re in the middle of this state right now. Are blogs and news sites really synonymous? TMZ breaks the news faster than CNN–we learned that over the Michael Jackson death. News sites and blogs aren’t synonymous, because there are different types of blogs; yet, everyone is hung up on the association that blogs are online personal journals. This is wrong, and you’ll see why below.

With all of the buzz surrounding blogs, people are flocking to the internet unprepared of the time that is about to be wasted. People get sucked into reading various blogs and stories that give them a dopamine fix (and by reading, I mean scanning).

After one hears Ariana Huffington beating her chest on The Daily Show about how important blogs are, they blindly dive in without knowing their own objective. They dive in without understanding the time-wasting traps that many blogs are.

Going back to the previous point: what you read is more important than how much you read. With that, here’s some guidelines on the different types of blogs. This will help you gauge which types you want to read.

The Four Types of Blogs

Right now, there are really four kinds of blogs (if you have a fifth, let me know in the comments):

1. Personal Journal Blogs
2. News and Industry Blogs
3. Wisdom Blogs
4. Online Books

Personal Journal Blogs are blobs of content that have no objective other than expressing oneself. These blogs are managed by one person and typically contain entries about things they’ve done. These are online journals. You can checkout these types of blogs by visiting tumblr. Be wary of these types of blogs because they’re high on opinion, low on statistics and often die after a couple years. Not saying they’re bad; just be wary of them–as you may lose time.

News and Industry Blogs are those that propose to compete with news sites and pump out content. These are the ones that are in the business of cramming, not crafting. They’re usually called content factories; however, not all are bad. The best one’s have their own culture and personality. This is typically driven by a power-writer (like a Michael Arrington of Tech Crunch). These blogs are moderate on opinion, often contain drivel (“6 ways to read gmail”), sometimes contain gems and sometimes contain breaking stories. Really, these types of blogs are a mixed bag. Some of the blogs in this space rock, some spit out drivel. Be wary of these types of blogs. Choose which ones to read wisely.

Wisdom Blogs are those manned by one person that’s knowledgeable about a certain industry or hobby. Unlike a Personal Journal Blog, these blogs don’t spit out personal feelings; they spit out facts, findings and ideas. These are very interesting to read–that is, if you read the right ones. An example of a Wisdom Blog would be Fred Wilson’s, AVC or Paul Graham’s Essays.

Online Books are essentially blogs that have a purpose and an end-date. Every business and every product undergoes four stages: embryonic stage (born), growth stage (getting traction), maturity (growth begins to slow), and decline (product starts declining). This phase mirrors a book, and mirrors online books. Most blogs fail because they lack a focus and an end-date. For example, a blogger gets an idea, writes about what they’re passionate about for about three months; when the three months expire, they’ve said everything they needed to, and give up.

Online Books are different. They have a purpose and a timeline with an end date. Of course, any revisions or interviews will be added after the online book’s life ends. This style of writing online is picking up; you’ll see this writing style surface over the next five years. Example: 37 Signal’s Online Book, Getting Real.

I’ll be showing you how to find the right blogs below. In a later chapter, I’ll be showing you how to read blogs with focus.

How to find the right blogs

So now you understand the difference between books and blogs; as well as the different types of blogs. But how do you find the right blogs to read?

It’s pretty simple; but it takes a long time to actually find the gems. Here’s four steps to get you on the right track:

1. Visit AllTop or Technorati
2. Review the topics you’re interested in and select 10 blogs that you really like
3. Read about five or so posts from each–also note their date (make sure the blog isn’t dead)
4. Cut your favorites from ten down to three
5. Check their blogroll for more interesting blogs

In a later chapter, I’ll be showing you how to leverage your RSS reader in order to be more productive, more focused and squeeze the most knowledge out of your blog-reading time.

Finding the right types of books

Now you know how to find the right types of blogs; however, we’ve learned that books are more potent than blogs. Thus, you’ll want to find the right books before you find the right blogs.

There are two ways to find great books:

The first is through researching what strangers say online (surfing Amazon’s top books and bestsellers).

Second, find a certain role model or person that’s successful in a field that you’re in. Email them and ask them for a book recommendation. Ask them to suggest a book that they found insightful, but one that’s not getting a lot of love. Find a way to shoot them an email or call them.

Here’s a sample:

Hey xxxx —

Just wanted to reach out and ask for a bit of help on something. I’ve made a commitment to becoming a more successful person in the field of [industry that you're in]. I’m looking for a recommendation on a book that you’ve found insightful. This doesn’t have to be a best-seller; in fact, I prefer it not be. I’m simply looking for something that helped you out in your journey to the top of your field.

Any recommendation is much appreciated. Thank you very much.

- xxxxx

This has the potential to result in two things: (i) a great read that will hopefully inspire you to action, and (ii) that leader will take note of your commitment to hard work–you’ll be surprised with how rare these requests are. Of course, you have to be serious about the desire to read. The second benefit is really just that–secondary.

3. All of the above tips and lessons really don’t matter

Talk is cheap. If you don’t read, none of the tips you’ve read above matter.  The hardest part in all of this centers on the formation of a daily foundation that espouses reading. My daily foundation and routine was driven by Stephen King’s book, On Writing. I write two hours before work; and read for about two hours after work. I get this done even with a wife and a dog–and I’m sure you can, too.

It’s a matter of decision. What will you give up to become more successful? Videogames? Watching the Kardachians and American Idol?

Time is irrelevant. It’s up to you to establish the habit of reading. But how?

How you form the daily foundation of reading

Sitting down to actually read was one of the hardest parts in my journey to break away from digital distraction (T.V., internet and videogames). The first step and decision to not watch T.V. was very difficult.

What helped me establish a daily foundation of reading was three acts:

1. First, I thought of the most successful person in my field; I then asked myself, what would that person be doing right now? Would he be playing videogames or watching T.V.?
2. Second, I asked the additional question, where do I want to be in five years–and how will my actions get me there? Watching T.V. certainly wasn’t going to help me.
3. Third, I put myself in a position where my back was against the wall. I had to read because I made a commitment to read. How did I do this? With the little discretionary money I had from the holidays, I bought an Amazon Kindle. This gave me a sense of, “Hell, if I don’t read I’ve just wasted $270.” It also added a positive association to reading, though. The kindle is a really neat and focused piece of technology; reading essentially became pleasurable.

Those three acts above drove me to establish the daily habit of reading. In turn, I’ve become a more focused person since making that commitment.

Next step: In the first step to getting focused, we spoke of getting to bed earlier, and developing the daily foundation first thing in the morning. Now I want you to somehow augment reading into your daily routine (either in the morning or at night).

Finally, here’s some parting quotes on reading:

“The man who doesn’t read has no advantage over the man who can’t read” – Mark Twain

“I read for growth, firmly believing that what you are today and what you will be in five years depends on two things: the people you meet and the books you read.” – Thyla Tharp

Further reading, sources and resources:

• What Reading Does For The Mind
• Life Dev on Reading

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