Motivation To Read
What are you waiting for?
Often, I get asked, by my students and friends, questions about reading, and motivation. The quandary goes along the lines of “I know I should be reading, but some/most days I just can’t seem to find the motivation. Or I don’t feel like it. How are you so motivated to read?” I used to have problems with 'reading'. In fact, ironically when I was a full-time English high school teacher I never had the time to read because I was too busy marking books and planning lessons. I remember being so rushed off my feet. Why would I pick up a book when there were so many other more important things on my ‘to-do list’.
Now, I’ve fully internalised the notion that reading books helps me. When I was a stressed-out teacher reading, The Happiness Advantage by Shawn Achor would have really helped me. On a more personal note, I’ve read this book twice, recommended it to my family and friends, and taken copious notes which I hope to share with you in the future.
Often, we find ourselves, waiting for motivation to somehow magically appear. That’s a myth. Trying to get yourself to feel like doing something useful and life-changing like reading is a fool’s errand. A toddler bases their day-to-day decisions on what they feel like doing. An intelligent adult/student recognises that feeling like doing something beneficial should have absolutely nothing to do with whether they actually do it.
Just my two pennies on this topic for now.
My Favourite Things This Week
Video - I know you will love this, it’s hilarious! He makes some really pertinent points about how we view the work we do. The happy secret to better work by Shawn Achor
Play - I’m reading Romeo and Juliet again ( for the hundredth time). I’m preparing for my online lessons with my GCSE students. I find it’s always good to brush up on the texts I’m about to teach. As a student, I despised Shakespeare with a vengeance. But the tables have now turned and I can appreciate his wit and brilliance. Here’s just one of my favourite quotes from R&J “Young men’s love then lies Not truly in their hearts, but in their eyes.”
Quote of the Week
“Waiting to be happy limits our brains potential for success, whereas cultivating positive brains makes us more creative and productive” Shawn Achor
Want more life advice?
Join my membership plan and get instant access to the Pre-Marriage Course for Muslims. As well as my upcoming Intimacy in Islam Course. New content added every month.