“Readers are leaders. Readers are speakers.”
It’s a popular phrase—and for good reason. The more you read, the more you know. The more you know, the better you can articulate, influence, and lead.
And yet, most professionals I meet say the same thing:
“I really want to read, I know it’s important… but I just can’t seem to keep up.”
Does this sound like you? You’re not alone.
A Moment of Truth from the Fluency Club
At a recent Fluency Club session—a platform for my past Public Speaking students to continue learning—we explored a powerful topic: Personal Development & Growth.
One of the panelists made a statement that stayed with everyone:
“You must inconvenience or convenience yourself to read.”
Everyone nodded in agreement, but also admitted—it’s just hard to stay consistent.
That’s why in today’s blog post, I want to share 6 simple, powerful steps to help you read more effectively, enjoy the process, and actually retain what you read.
Step 1: Identify Your Interests
Stop reading books just because they’re trending or someone recommended them. Ask yourself:
- What topics excite me?
- What skills or knowledge areas do I want to grow in?
- What challenges am I facing that a book could help solve?
When you read books that genuinely interest you, you’ll find it easier to stay engaged and finish them.
Step 2: Divide and Conquer
Let’s say your goal is to read one book a month. A 195-page book divided by 30 days = just 6.5 pages per day.
That’s all it takes.
If you miss a day, double it the next. What matters is not perfection—it’s momentum.
Step 3: Skim Before You Dive
Start with the Table of Contents. Explore the chapter titles and subtitles. Get a feel for the book’s flow and structure.
When you understand the journey ahead, your mind becomes curious—and curiosity fuels attention.
If a book doesn’t spark your interest right now, put it aside. You can return to it later once your curiosity aligns.
Step 4: Show Up Every Day
This is the secret sauce.
Even if you don’t feel like reading, just open the book and read one line. Some days, that line will turn into paragraphs. Other days, it won’t. But the habit is being built.
Just like going to the gym, the first step is showing up.
Step 5: Schedule & Protect Your Reading Time
Block out dedicated time—preferably during your morning or evening routine. For example, my schedule looks like this:
- Wake up
- Morning Devotion
- Study (course or mentorship)
- 6:00 a.m. – Reading (30 minutes)
When you train your brain to expect reading at a specific time, it becomes second nature.
Step 6: Take Notes & Reflect
Don’t just read—capture what you learn.
- Highlight key phrases
- Write notes in the margins or use sticky notes
- Summarize lessons in your own words
This helps with retention, but also turns those ideas into speech-ready material. I often get asked, “Apuli, how do you remember all these quotes and concepts?”
Answer: I write them down, rephrase them, and speak them out loud.
Bonus Tip: Join (or Start) a Book Club
Reading with others creates accountability and motivation. Start with 3–5 friends. Pick a book. Meet once a month and discuss your takeaways.
At the Fluency Club, we’re exploring the idea of starting an online book club—and I’m also considering launching one through my website.
Imagine this: You log in, camera on, everyone reading silently for 30 minutes. No pressure. Just shared presence and purpose. Then, once a month, we share what we’ve learned.
Would you join something like that? Leave a comment or message me—we might just start it.
Final Thoughts
Reading is one of the simplest yet most powerful tools for growth. As a Public Speaking and Knowledge-Based Business Coach, I help professionals speak, sell, and scale their knowledge—and reading plays a major role in that transformation.
Start small. Stay consistent. And remember:
“Right steps in the right direction lead to progress.
Consistent steps in the right direction lead to growth.”
You’ve got this.
P.S. Want to get weekly tips on public speaking, personal growth, and turning your knowledge into income? [Subscribe to my newsletter here.]
P.P.S. Curious about the Fluency Club or upcoming online book club? Let me know [here] or drop me a message.
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