How to Read 5 Books a Month | Cal Newport’s Method

Summary

Cal Newport shares his method for reading five books a month, emphasizing the cognitive benefits of reading for knowledge workers. He offers five actionable tips: choose interesting books, schedule reading sessions like exercise, create enjoyable rituals, push through to finish books, and most importantly, eliminate distractions from your phone. By removing social media and other digital diversions, reading can become your default activity, enhancing your intellectual capacity and overall well-being. Newport's approach encourages readers to view reading as a valuable exercise for the mind, contributing to personal and professional growth.

Takeaways

• 😀 Reading is critical for intellectual work as it exercises the brain just like physical exercise does for the body.
• 😀 Choose books that interest you personally, rather than picking them based on external validation or to impress others.
• 😀 Mix genres and formats (e.g., novels, nonfiction, audiobooks) to maintain variety and prevent burnout in your reading habits.
• 😀 Schedule specific reading times in your day just like you would schedule exercise; this makes it a consistent part of your routine.
• 😀 Create enjoyable rituals around reading (e.g., a drink or a cozy reading spot) to make it a more appealing activity.
• 😀 Dedicate focused time to finishing books, especially as you near the last 100 pages, to avoid trailing off and losing momentum.
• 😀 Make your phone less interesting by removing distractions like social media and YouTube, so reading becomes your default activity during free moments.
• 😀 Reading helps build mental agility, empathy, and the ability to connect ideas from different disciplines, which is valuable for knowledge workers.
• 😀 People often underestimate how much time they spend on their phones; reallocating that time to reading can help you easily achieve goals like reading five books a month.
• 😀 The absence of social media on your phone can significantly reduce anxiety and stress, allowing you to focus on more meaningful activities like reading.
• 😀 By improving your reading habits, you create a competitive advantage, deepening your intellectual capacity and separating yourself from others who neglect mental development.

Q & A

Why is reading considered essential for intellectual work?

Reading is essential because it exercises the brain in a way similar to physical exercise for the body. It enhances cognitive abilities, helps with complex idea processing, fosters empathy, and is a major advantage for anyone engaged in knowledge work.

What is Cal Newport’s goal for monthly reading?

Cal Newport’s goal is to read five books every month, and he holds himself accountable by discussing the books he reads on the first episode of his podcast, Deep Questions.

How does Cal Newport suggest people should choose books to read?

Newport advises choosing a wide variety of books, mixing between genres, difficulty levels, and formats. He encourages switching between novels and non-fiction, and mixing audiobooks with physical books for diversity.

What is the importance of scheduling reading sessions?

Scheduling reading like exercise ensures that you allocate dedicated time for it, rather than relying on free time or motivation. Newport emphasizes that without a set schedule, reading is often neglected.

Can rituals make reading more enjoyable? How?

Yes, Newport suggests creating enjoyable rituals around reading, such as having a drink or reading in a comfortable, scenic place. This makes reading a pleasurable activity, which increases the likelihood of sticking to it.

What is a 'closing push' when reading a book?

A closing push refers to dedicating focused time and energy to finishing a book once you’re close to completing it. Newport recommends setting aside uninterrupted time to push through the last 100 pages, helping you finish the book efficiently.

How does eliminating distractions on your phone contribute to reading more?

By removing social media apps and other distracting content from your phone, Newport creates a situation where boredom or idle moments lead to reading rather than scrolling. This makes reading a natural default activity.

Why does Cal Newport recommend removing social media from your phone?

Newport recommends removing social media to reduce distractions and stress. Social media apps can lead to addictive behavior and anxiety, and by removing them, you create more mental space for productive activities like reading.

What are the benefits of replacing phone time with reading?

By replacing time spent on your phone with reading, Newport argues that you not only read more books but also avoid the negative psychological effects of excessive phone use, such as stress and anxiety, improving both productivity and well-being.

What is the overall takeaway from Newport’s advice on reading five books per month?

Newport’s advice shows that reading five books per month is achievable with the right habits: choosing interesting books, scheduling reading time, creating enjoyable rituals, doing closing pushes, and minimizing distractions, especially from your phone.