How To Develop A Deep Reading Habit The Growth Equation

Bonisiwe Shabane

-Oct 31, 2025, 7:04 AM

how to develop a deep reading habit the growth equation

Deep reading and focus are competitive advantages—and we are losing both. We recently wrote about digital dementia—how an overload of distractions and constant stimuli leads to internet brain and is ultimately making society dumber. Here, we want to narrow in on a specific skill—deep reading, a skill we think is perhaps most important of all—and offer a simple program for you to maintain (or reclaim) it in your... It seems that we are reaching a boiling point or threshold for what may unfold over the next two to five years. There will be those who push back and save their brains, and then everyone else. It’s not to say society is automatically screwed; we aren’t complete doomers.

Rather, we think it’s more like the late 1950s and early 1960s when it became clear that tobacco was harmful. Those who realized this early and quit (or didn’t smoke, to begin with) fared much better off. The decline of deep reading, deep thinking, and deep attention feels similar. First, some context: minutes spent reading per day have declined markedly since 2003 across all age groups. It’s not just that people are reading less; we are getting worse at reading too. Literacy scores started tanking in 2012.

Deep reading and focus are competitive advantages—and we are losing both. We recently wrote about digital dementia—how an overload of distractions and constant stimuli leads to internet brain and is ultimately making society dumber. Here, we want to narrow in on a specific skill—deep reading, a skill we think is perhaps most important of all—and offer a simple program for you to maintain (or reclaim) it in your... It seems that we are reaching a boiling point or threshold for what may unfold over the next two to five years. There will be those who push back and save their brains, and then everyone else. It's not to say society is automatically screwed; we aren't complete doomers.

Rather, we think it's more like the late 1950s and early 1960s when it became clear that tobacco was harmful. Those who realized this early and quit (or didn't smoke, to begin with) fared much better off. The decline of deep reading, deep thinking, and deep attention feels similar. First, some context: minutes spent reading per day have declined markedly since 2003 across all age groups. It’s not just that people are reading less; we are getting worse at reading too. Literacy scores started tanking in 2012.

I do believe something very magical can happen when you read a good book. — J. K. Rowling Frequent readers know I don’t share fluff or BS. I make sure to share what at least worked for me.

if you want to make money or start a business, you will never reach out to your broke friend or someone who has no idea what the ins and outs of a business are. Would you? You will research to find the right person, and it is common nowadays to hire a consultant based on authentic reviews. In the fast-paced digital age, it’s easy to get caught up in endless scrolling and short-form content. But if you’re serious about self-growth, few habits are more powerful—or more underrated—than reading. Books are windows into knowledge, inspiration, and transformation.

They shape the way you think, speak, and act. Whether you're a beginner or trying to get back into it, here's how to build a consistent reading habit that fuels your personal and professional growth. Reading goes beyond entertainment—it expands your mind, deepens your understanding, and equips you with ideas and tools to level up in every area of life. Here’s how reading supports self-growth: Books allow you to learn from leaders, thinkers, and innovators without ever meeting them. It's like having a conversation with the greatest minds in history.

This article was co-authored by Megan Callaghan, PhD. Megan Morgan is an Academic Advising and Writing expert based in Augusta, Georgia. She has over 7 years of university teaching experience and more than 15 years of professional editing experience. She works as an intern for the Law Library of Congress, and is also a Professional Writing Center Consultant at Augusta University. Her key academic interests involve reference and subject librarianship, government information, and information organization. She provides personalized writing instruction, workshops, and support for AU students, faculty, and staff.

Previously, she worked as a Graduate Program Administrator at the University of Georgia’s School of Public and International Affairs. She was a Graduate Advisor for three degrees in the departments of Political Science and International Affairs at the University of Georgia College of Arts and Sciences. She earned her Master’s in Library and Information Science from Valdosta State University. She also received both a PhD and MA in English from The University of Georgia, and a BA in English and Creative Writing from the Mississippi University for Women. She wrote her PhD dissertation on narrative structure and social change in novels by 18th-century British women writers. There are 16 references cited in this article, which can be found at the bottom of the page.

wikiHow marks an article as reader-approved once it receives enough positive feedback. This article received 19 testimonials and 88% of readers who voted found it helpful, earning it our reader-approved status. This article has been viewed 376,818 times. Reading is not just an important professional skill. It is also a way to enjoy informative, creative, and inspiring works of literature that enrich our life experiences. Like any skill worth mastering, a reading habit requires time and dedication to develop.

It is, however, a lifelong source of enjoyment and entertainment and an affordable hobby for anyone who wants to pick up a book. To develop your reading habit, consider your interests and hobbies, since reading can be more satisfying if it addresses topics you care about. Once you find good materials, improve your reading skills by looking up unfamiliar words, jotting down notes on key ideas, and taking your time to enjoy. To keep reading, make sure to have reading materials handy by frequenting the library, getting subscriptions to magazines, or using an E-reader. For ideas on how to make reading a life-long commitment, continue reading our Ph.D. reviewer’s advice!

Deep reading, or full engagement in a book, is an absolute joy. It is good for mind and spirit, and it is also a competitive advantage in today’s knowledge-based economy. Increasingly, people struggle to pay attention to just about anything, let alone a book. Yet deep reading confers many benefits above and beyond watching a YouTube video or skimming an article. These benefits include developing a richer understanding of a topic, increasing your ability to pay attention itself, and enhanced creative thinking. Here are seven principles for developing a nonfiction deep reading habit.

All are based on the latest research and real-world practice. Research shows you comprehend and connect information best when you read physical pages. There are two predominant theories for why this is the case: First, when you read physical pages there are no distractions, which e-reading and audiobooks inherently invite (there is nothing wrong with these modalities,... Second, the brain retains information better when it’s associated with tactile experience. We have all heard that reading is great, however, many of us find it difficult to read consistently. So what can we do to develop a reading habit?

To develop a reading habit you should create an environment that inspires reading such as having a book next to your couch and having dedicated time(s) in a day specifically for reading. Furthermore, you should make reading as easy and pleasant as possible and provide yourself with a reward at the end of each session.Of course, the above is just a brief summary, so if you... First, I will briefly cover why building a reading habit is a good idea, then provide a bit of theory behind habit building and lastly I will give you the exact steps on how... “In my whole life, I have known no wise people (over a broad subject matter area) who didn’t read all the time — none, zero. You’d be amazed at how much Warren reads–and at how much I read. My children laugh at me.

They think I’m a book with a couple of legs sticking out” By forming a reading habit you will make reading easier and will end up reading more books. And the more you read the more you will learn. For example, Elon Musk, the founder of SpaceX, says that he learned how to build rockets by reading books.2 Elon Musk is not the only one, many successful people, such as Bill Gates, Barack... 3 And there are many other benefits to reading more books such as becoming more open-minded and creative4 and improving your focus, memory, communication skills, and mental health.

5 There is even evidence that people who read live longer.6

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Deep Reading And Focus Are Competitive Advantages—and We Are Losing

Rather, We Think It’s More Like The Late 1950s And

Deep Reading And Focus Are Competitive Advantages—and We Are Losing

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I Do Believe Something Very Magical Can Happen When You

I do believe something very magical can happen when you read a good book. — J. K. Rowling Frequent readers know I don’t share fluff or BS. I make sure to share what at least worked for me.