One piece of advice that remains consistent among many great men and women is this: to become more valuable in society, an individual should strive to create more than they consume, especially in this digital age. In a world filled with endless information, entertainment, and distractions, the ability to create meaningful value has become even more important.
The digital age is still relatively new when compared to the long history of humanity. Like every major shift in human history, it comes with both advantages and disadvantages. Technology has improved our lives in many ways, making communication, entertainment, and access to information easier than ever before. Today, we have unlimited access to social media, streaming platforms, and countless digital experiences competing for our attention daily.
Unfortunately, many of these platforms are intentionally designed to keep users engaged for as long as possible. The result is that people spend more time consuming content than creating meaningful things. Hours are lost scrolling, watching, and reacting, often without realizing the long-term effects this has on focus, discipline, creativity, and mental well-being.
As a student, I was never someone who voluntarily picked up books to read outside of school. I started reading seriously during college, at a time when I felt stuck. I felt stuck academically because of the prolonged college strike. I felt stuck professionally because I was still in school. Over time, these frustrations began to affect my productivity and mental health. I did not know what to do until I picked up my first book.
That book did not suddenly solve all my problems or provide every answer I was looking for, but it changed something important in my mind. I realized I was not necessarily stuck; I simply needed new ideas, new perspectives, and new ways of thinking. Books became a source of inspiration and direction for me.
Motivational speaker Jim Rohn often spoke about how school requires us to read, while society does not. Yet success in life demands skills and knowledge that many people were never taught in school. This is one of the reasons reading remains so important. In life, ignorance is not bliss. People must intentionally learn, grow, and expose themselves to knowledge to avoid unnecessary mistakes and make better decisions.
Personally, I have found that nothing feels impossible as long as I can read and learn about it. Reading allows us to learn from the experiences of others, which is invaluable considering the cost of learning every lesson on our own. It expands our minds to possibilities, perspectives, and solutions we may never have discovered otherwise.
Today, I no longer shy away from reading. It has become one of the greatest supports in both my personal life and professional career. Through the help of my reading community, I make sure to read at least one personal development book regularly, and that often inspires me to explore books related to my profession as well. Reading has inspired me to create far more than I would have if I had remained only a consumer.
As a professional designer, it would be easy to avoid reading and simply focus on producing work. But reading has made me a far better designer. I can confidently say that I do not just design anymore; I now understand design more deeply, and reading has played a major role in that growth. It has helped me think better, communicate better, and approach problems with more perspective and creativity.
The value of reading has remained constant throughout history, but in today’s digital era, it has become even more important. As digital consumption continues to affect attention spans, mental focus, and creativity, reading gives us the ability to think deeply, learn intentionally, and develop the capacity to create rather than simply consume.
If you would like to start reading or read even more, here is some advice from me:
● Plan your reading schedule: Like anything you want to do seriously, reading requires prioritization. Make time for it and stick to a plan, without one, it’s too easy to put books aside.
● Choose books that interest you: There are books on almost every subject, written in many styles. Pick topics you want to explore or improve on, and start there. Reading becomes more enjoyable and impactful when it’s connected to your interests.
● Join a reading community: A community of readers makes the experience richer. For me, the best part is hearing others’ perspectives on the same book. Those conversations often open your mind even more than the book itself.
Reading puts you in a better position in life. It helps you gain a deeper understanding of the world and the people around you. It won’t solve all your problems, but it will put you in a much stronger position to handle them. Start reading today, and encourage anyone and everyone around you to do the same.