I Don't Have Time To Read

I love to read. As a kid I would spend hours reading the latest Hardy Boys mystery novel or pick up a new Tom Swift book and explore one of his unbelievable inventions. The hours would pass quickly, and I usually found that I couldn't put the book down until the last page was turned.

As I grew older, the titles changed, but my love of reading just grew stronger. I loved to read science books and was always fascinated with new inventions and space travel. Once I started to drive, I would pick up books and magazines about cars and hot rods. Reading was fun!

Unfortunately, as the years have passed, my time available for reading has diminished. The commute to work got longer and the activities of life have really increased. When someone hands me a book now, I try to figure out when I can squeeze it in to my schedule.

I've tried some different techniques to fit reading in, but many of them have not worked well. I've tried reading in the car when carpooling, but that just makes me carsick after a few minutes. I've tried reading while out walking, but that has led to busted shins and falling off curbs. I've even tried reading while on the treadmill, but after flying off the machine a few times I realized that I can't read and run at the same time.

In the last few years another problem has crept up. As soon as I received my dreaded AARP card in the mail (This happens at 49 and a half. They track you by satellite and make sure your AARP membership letter is in your mailbox on that dreaded day. You can't hide... they will find you), I noticed that my reading vision has started to change. My eye doctor corrected this with progressive lenses, but that plays havoc with reading in any position other than sitting in a chair.

I used to love reading while laying on the couch, one arm propping my head up. With progressive lenses my field of vision is now severely blurred in this position. These crazy glasses have also ruined a good book while reading in bed, sitting in a recliner, or trying to read while cooking. In short... reading for any length of time is now confined to sitting up straight, just like my Mom told me to do. Arrrgh!

I thought that my reading days were almost over until one day when a little device found its way into my life. Called an iPod, this little audio device has revolutionized the way I partake of books. Instead of reading them, I now listen to them... while driving, walking, and even running on the treadmill. No more busted shins or flying off exercise equipment.

This little device has allowed me to devour over 50 books in the last year. Popular titles like Blink, Made To Stick, and even a classic like How To Win Friends & Influence People have filled my ears with wisdom and insight.

The really great thing is that I've finished everyone of them. No more half finished books laying on the coffee table, on the floor, or in the back seat in the car.

In conclusion... if you find that your schedule is big, your commute is long, or your eyesight is going, be sure to pick up an iPod, sign up for an Audible.com account and start downloading audio books. If you have problems... just ask your kids... they can get you setup!

Enjoy!

P.S. You can read about some of my adventures with audio books on my specialty blog Audio Book Notes

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John Richardson is the author of Success Begins Today, a personal development blog devoted to practical applications that can make life an exciting adventure. From a wallet sized personal organizer to a desktop flow chart you're sure to find something here that you can download and enjoy. John always enjoys learning new things and suggests you try a powerful 48 minute working technique that can help you focus and get more done. Here's to your success!

Comments

[Rosa Say]

John, I love your MBA on the Run approach and tell all my managers about it: Can you update your posting for us with some related links to what you have written on that at your blog?

[Ariane Benefit]

You are NOT alone!!! I hate having to wear my reading glasses which require me to hold the book at a fixed distance. THANK GOD for Audio books!!!! : )

[Chris Owen]

John
I think what you call progressive lenses we call multi-focals. And anyone who has 'em TOTALLY relates to the "reading anywhere but upright in a chair" problem.
My son, a young optician, thinks I'm weird because I have an old-fashioned pair of reading glasses that i keep beside my bed at all times. The whole lens (instead of some miniscule corner) caters to my poor geriatric eyes. I Will NEVER give up the undying pleasure of reading in bed. It's too BLISSSSSSSful to miss!