There is something fascinating about the way people think about reading.
Almost everyone admires readers. We associate them with intelligence, wisdom, confidence, leadership, and success. We see someone carrying a book and unconsciously assume they know something we don’t. We listen to successful entrepreneurs, public speakers, executives, and thought leaders recommend books, and we promise ourselves that one day we, too, will become consistent readers.
Yet for many people, that day never comes.
They buy books they never open. They save articles they never read. They download audiobooks they never finish. They genuinely desire to become knowledgeable, but somehow, reading remains an aspiration rather than a habit.
As a public speaking coach and communication trainer, I’ve observed something remarkable over the years: the people who communicate with confidence, make better decisions, think more critically, and influence others effectively are rarely accidental readers. They have intentionally developed the habit of learning.
The good news is that becoming a reader is not a personality trait. It is not something reserved for intellectuals, professors, or people with extraordinary discipline.
Reading is a skill. And like every skill, it can be learned.
Over the years, I’ve taught hundreds of students, professionals, leaders, entrepreneurs, and public speaking trainees how to build reading habits that transformed not only their knowledge but also their communication skills, confidence, business decisions, and leadership abilities.
And it all begins with a decision.
Stop Wishing You Read More and Decide to Become a Reader
One of the greatest obstacles to reading is the belief that motivation comes first.
People often say things like, “I would love to start reading,” or “I wish I had the discipline to read.” But wishing has never built a habit. Desire alone rarely changes behavior.
At some point, you must simply decide.
You decide that you are a reader.
Not next month. Not when work becomes easier. Not when life becomes less busy. Today.
This decision matters because it changes your identity. You stop viewing reading as an activity you occasionally do and begin viewing it as part of who you are. Rain or shine, whether you feel inspired or not, you become someone who reads.
Interestingly, this principle applies not only to reading but also to public speaking, leadership communication, and confidence building. Growth often begins long before motivation appears.
The Secret Most Successful Readers Understand
One of the biggest mistakes people make is choosing books because they are popular.
A friend recommends a bestseller. Social media praises a book. Everyone in the office seems to be reading it. So they buy it, attempt to read a few pages, lose interest, and conclude that they simply don’t enjoy reading.
The problem was never reading.
The problem was relevance.
Human beings are naturally drawn toward solving problems and pursuing desires. If you are struggling in your marriage, a relationship book suddenly becomes impossible to put down. If your business is failing, a business strategy book becomes urgent. If you want to improve your public speaking skills, communication books become deeply engaging.
Read according to your pain.
Read according to your desire.
Perhaps you’re trying to improve your communication skills. Perhaps you want to become a better leader. Maybe you’re learning about parenting, entrepreneurship, digital marketing, investing, or overcoming fear of public speaking.
When a book speaks directly to a challenge you’re facing or a dream you’re pursuing, reading stops feeling like work and starts feeling like survival.
Reading Doesn’t Require More Time Than You Think
Whenever I ask people why they don’t read, one answer appears repeatedly:
“I don’t have time.”
Yet the same people spend hours scrolling social media, watching videos, or consuming information that disappears from memory within minutes.
The challenge is rarely the absence of time.
The challenge is the absence of intentional time.
One of the simplest ways to become a consistent reader is to reserve time specifically for reading. Start small. Fifteen minutes is enough.
Early mornings often work best because the mind is fresh and distractions are limited. But the location matters less than the commitment. Sit in your car before entering the office. Sit at the dining table. Sit on your balcony. Sit anywhere.
The rule is simple:
Even if you don’t read much, that time belongs to reading.
Over time, your mind begins to associate that specific period with learning, and eventually, the habit starts reinforcing itself.
Why Targets Matter More Than Motivation
One reason people abandon books is that they have no finish line.
They simply tell themselves, “I’ll read when I can.”
Unfortunately, vague goals produce vague results.
Personally, I prefer reading one chapter per day. If a book contains fourteen chapters, I already know I’ll finish it in fourteen days. That clarity creates momentum.
Others prefer measuring pages or minutes. The exact method matters less than having a target.
A target transforms reading from an aspiration into a system.
And systems, not motivation, create consistency.
This principle applies equally to public speaking training, communication coaching, business growth, and personal development. Progress becomes easier when it is measurable.
Why You Should Never Read Alone
Discipline is easier when someone else is watching.
This is why gyms have trainers, why businesses have accountability structures, and why public speaking courses often produce faster results than self-study.
Reading works the same way.
If you know that someone expects you to share what you’ve learned, you become far more likely to read.
You can create accountability in many ways. Join a book club. Create a family reading challenge. Share one lesson every morning with your colleagues. Post daily insights on social media. Ask a friend to check on your progress.
Something fascinating happens when accountability enters the picture: your reading no longer benefits only you. It becomes a contribution to others.
And contribution is a powerful motivator.
Your Brain Is Not a Filing Cabinet
One of the greatest mistakes intelligent people make is assuming they will remember what they read.
You won’t.
And that’s perfectly normal.
Our brains are designed to process information, not store every detail indefinitely. That is why the final step in building a reading habit is documenting what you learn.
You don’t need complicated systems.
Use Google Docs. Use a notebook. Use sticky notes. Use a journal. Use PowerPoint slides. Use whatever system you’ll actually maintain.
The goal isn’t to write pages of notes.
One lesson per reading session is enough.
When you write, you clarify your thinking. When you clarify your thinking, you improve your communication. And when you improve your communication, you improve your ability to lead, persuade, teach, and influence others.
This is one of the reasons reading and public speaking are inseparable skills. Great communicators are almost always committed learners.
Reading Is About More Than Books
The true value of reading is not that it makes you sound intelligent.
It changes how you think.
It changes how you make decisions.
It changes how you communicate.
It changes your confidence.
Every book you read becomes another perspective available to you during conversations, presentations, meetings, negotiations, and life itself.
The people who appear naturally confident rarely rely solely on confidence. They rely on knowledge, experience, and wisdom accumulated over time.
And reading remains one of the fastest ways to acquire all three.
If you’ve failed to build a reading habit before, don’t conclude that you’re incapable of becoming a reader.
Perhaps you simply lacked a system.
Decide.
Choose a meaningful subject.
Protect time.
Set a target.
Create accountability.
Write what you learn.
Do this consistently, and you may discover that becoming a reader was never about discipline.
It was about having a process.
And once you become a reader, you don’t simply accumulate information.
You transform yourself.
If you’d like to improve your communication skills, build confidence in speaking, or learn how to turn your knowledge into influence and income, explore our programs below:
• Fluency Academy: https://apuulibabigumira.com/fluency
• Fluency Junior Academy: https://apuulibabigumira.com/fluency-academy
• Monetize Your Genius™: https://apuulibabigumira.com/myg
Because sometimes, the difference between the person you are and the person you want to become is simply the next book you decide to read.