Way back in the November 1999 issue of The Toastmaster magazine, Susan Richmond provided insights on the topic of being well-read [1].
Among the benefits of reading, she cites the ability to converse on a wide variety of subjects as a key benefit. Importantly, informational media, such as newspapers and advertisements, which we are exposed to constantly, do not challenge us to think and therefore do not provide much value. With limited time and motivation to explore additional reading, it can be difficult to set up a professional development plan.
Richmond offers these tips on getting started:
- List the books you have read in the past year. Use these to identify your interests and knowledge gaps.
- Make use of the library, since you can get access to numerous books for free, as well as explore potential books of interest before purchasing.
- Reserve time for reading. You have to make it part of your schedule to get it done. That may mean spending less time on other activities, such as watching TV.
To support our members, Club Awesome offers these benefits that can help you become well-read:
- Lending Library: members can draw upon a large collection of works to improve their public speaking and leadership skills
- Book Club: our members meet periodically to discuss a book that has been selected specifically to support our professional development
[1] Richmond, S. (1999, November). What does it mean to be well-read?. The Toastmaster, 65 (11).