A book is an investment of your time, and that’s likely why you struggle to finish them. In today’s world, we’ve shifted from deep investments of time to craving soundbites, summaries, and videos played at double speed. We believe that speeding up will somehow make everything fall into place.
But it won’t.
The truth is, if you don’t learn to slow down, you’ll burn out. You’ll lose joy in your work, start relying on distractions to cope, and may even feel more isolated than ever before.
Slowing down is the antidote, and reading is one of the best ways to regain control of your time and your life.
So here’s what I want you to do: go to your bookshelf right now and pick a book you’ve been wanting to read in full. I’ll wait.
Got it? Great. Now leave me a comment with the book you chose. I genuinely want to know. (Thanks for leaving a comment, by the way—it helps build our community!)
Next, stop treating your book like something you can hack through with a YouTube video or speed-reading trick. Many books took years to write; they’re not meant to be downloaded into your brain like a podcast.
Here’s how you’ll actually finish that book:
1. Treat the book like a companion.
Instead of thinking of the book as just another item on your to-do list, see it as a companion. Picture it as a friend who’s loyal and patient, always ready to spend time with you—whether in your bag, on your nightstand, or in your lap during a quiet moment.
2. Start with intention.
Open the first page and read as slowly as you can. Not out of obligation, but with curiosity. Savor the words. Visualize what’s happening. Let each sentence sink in, allowing the story or ideas to unfold naturally in your mind.
3. Notice your state of mind.
When you finish that first page, pause for a moment. How do you feel? Is your mind a bit quieter? Are you more curious about what’s next? Compare that feeling to how you feel after scrolling through social media. Notice how much calmer you feel after immersing yourself in something meaningful.
4. Commit to the experience.
Decide that this book—and the time spent with it—is important to you. Commit to showing up for it, just as you would for a friend you truly value. If you do this, the book will repay you with deeper insights and moments of connection.
5. Set small, enjoyable goals.
Instead of pushing yourself to read for hours on end, start with smaller, more attainable goals. Maybe it’s one chapter a day, or 10 minutes in the morning. The key is to build momentum, and soon, reading will become something you look forward to rather than dread.
6. Embrace the journey, not the finish line.
The goal isn’t to speed through the book; it’s to enjoy the process. Stop looking for shortcuts. If the author is skilled, their words will guide you to the end naturally. Let go of the pressure to finish and focus on enjoying the journey.
Finishing a book isn’t about reaching the last page—it’s about experiencing the story or the ideas fully. When you approach reading with curiosity and patience, the rest will take care of itself.
Until tomorrow, read slowly – take notes – apply the ideas.
-Eddy
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