One of the things that has helped me over the years learn more about my anxiety and other aspects of my life was through reading. I will typically read self-help, psychology, spiritual, or otherwise motivation books. I also enjoy reading marketing and business books.
The great thing about reading is that when you first begin you may not necessarily understand what they author may be trying to say until you read another book about something different that somehow provides that missing link you needed before to put everything together. At that moment you’ll experience a “ah-ha” which can change your life.
Reading is a great way to acquire knowledge. If you are anything like me though you weren’t a born reader and typically have to force yourself to sit down and find time to read. That is ok, our lives seem to be so busy that its difficult to squeeze in time in our already hectic schedules. I read somewhere recently that reading is at an all time low, but don’t let that discourage you.
One way I have been able to read so much without having to schedule time to do so is to have what I call a “toilet library”. I always stock about 3-4 good books in my washroom. You can set them on top of your toilet or get yourself on of them fancy magazine racks and set them in there. Whatever you choose, just choose to have books available.
Why is a “toilet library” a great way to learn new ideas? Because you’re taking what otherwise would be unproductive time reading the back of shampoo bottles or hand cream containers and replacing it with books like “The Power of Now” by Eckhart Tolle or “Feel the Fear and Do It Anyway” by Susan Jeffers, Ph.D.
If you were to average 10 minutes a day in the washroom and use that time to not only “take-care-of-business” but also learn through reading, you would gain a little over 60 hours worth of productive time a year. Amazing!
So, go down to your local library or book store and get a couple of books and create your own “toilet library”. In a years time you’ll be further ahead than if you sat their reading the directions on how to apply and use shampoo – wet hair, lather, rinse. repeat.
