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[deleted] t1_ivtpwrq wrote

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Ynot_pm_dem_boobies t1_ivtro2k wrote

I think the more logical goal is to read a certain minimum per day or even per week depending your schedule. I will read 2 hours per day, doesn't matter how many books you finish, just that you are setting time aside to read.

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[deleted] t1_ivtrvht wrote

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ABitterKing t1_ivtsrih wrote

People have goals. For example: I want to go the gym at least 3 times a week. I for example aim to study a langauge for 30 minutes a day. Reading is just another goal. Some people take hobbies seriously idk.

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[deleted] t1_ivttdus wrote

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TheBigKrangTheory t1_ivtz0j8 wrote

While I totally get your point, I have have to disagree... at least a little.

My new years resolution was to read 52 books in 52 weeks. It was the first ever reading goal I set and I've already accomplished it.

The reason why I set this goal in the first place was for health reasons. I got a pretty bad concussion a few years ago and my intelligence suffered drastically. In the beginning, I was unable to think of words, leaving a lot of sentences unfinished. My ability to do math was worse than 4th grade level.

It's improved over the years but I still struggle daily with setbacks. My thought was that reading a ton of books would help with my brain and also take up time that I would otherwise spend doing things that were less productive. I also read before bed which helps me fall asleep faster than if I was on my phone.

There were times that it did feel like a chore but that depended on the book. I thought that Anna Karenina and the Invisible Man would ruin me, but I endured and am grateful that I never have to read them again. A majority of the other 50 books were a joy to read and I found myself wanting to stop watching TV to read them.

I accomplished my goal a while ago but I'm now reading as if I haven't and I'm enjoying every minute of it.

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pineapplesf t1_ivuqdsb wrote

painting and drawing challenges are quite normal, even for nonprofessionals.

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AgentSonnenblume t1_ivu2eix wrote

Yeah but reading is different from watching TV shows IMO, that’s probably how other people perceive it as well. Watching TV for me is a lot more passive, with a book I’m more engaged, it calms me down more and I feel I’ve learned something after almost every book, even in fiction. TV for me is pure entertainment.

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[deleted] t1_ivud5qz wrote

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AgentSonnenblume t1_ivudjsp wrote

Yes of course, but it’s still not the same for me. Idk watching TV just doesn’t require effort for me, educational or not (unless I really really want it to), whereas reading inherently feels like doing something worthwhile/productive. And it takes me more effort to sit down and read rather than watch Netflix or go on social media. I think that’s quite a common sentiment.

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[deleted] t1_ivudp4u wrote

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sbirmier t1_ivv0ju7 wrote

There have been endless scientific studies that reading improves brain health and functions such as memorization and vocabulary.

It's not an opinion that reading is more productive than tv, it's a fact.

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Vergilkilla t1_ivu65cf wrote

Hey there - I agree with you. I think the distinction is many view reading as a more academic pursuit than TV or video games or whatever else. Many people correlate reading directly to self-improvement in a way that they DO NOT assign to other forms of entertainment.

I think the logic behind this is tenuous - really depends what you are reading. I read a lot of just “entertainment” books - genre fiction like horror or sci fi or fantasy etc. I would compare reading those kind of books directly with watching TV or a movie. But if you are reading textbooks (as an extreme example) or even more dense and thoughtful fiction - you can get in a situation where you read those books and say “I’m better for it”. So then, you might set a goal because you’re doing, by your own estimation, so much more than just consuming entertainment

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usrnmwastkn t1_ivuwovz wrote

One of the reasons is to help you get back to reading. I used to read much more few years ago but then due to many different reasons I've lost the habit of picking up a book. Even though I still really enjoyed reading. Setting a goal to read a certain number of books helped me to pick up books more often than I otherwise would. In the end, I don't care that much if I reach the number (I set it bit too high in purpose anyway) because I know that I've read more and and I've made reading habit again.

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CaptainKipple t1_ivv35b8 wrote

Yes, for me setting a reading goal has also really helped me get back into reading, after a long break thanks to professional life and stress etc. For me it's the opposite though -- I set my goal low on purpose (I hit it in September this year). That takes the pressure off and makes it so I'm not stressed about meeting the goal, have the flexibility to read longer books and so on, but I find just having the goal and keeping track of what I've read is fun and helps motivate me. I also really enjoy going through my list of what I've read at the end of the year!

I think the point is whatever works for someone -- there's no "right" answer!

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SingleDadtoOne t1_ivtrfjl wrote

I agree. I have no goals other than enjoy reading. I have no clue how many books I read in a year or how many I have read in my lifetime. I truly don't care. I just enjoy reading.

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[deleted] t1_ivtrot3 wrote

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SingleDadtoOne t1_ivts84l wrote

I have finally reached the point where I quit a book if I don't enjoy it rather than forcing myself to read it. Life is too short and there are too many good books to waste time reading something I don't enjoy.

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Eire_Banshee t1_ivtx6gm wrote

Its easy to game too. Like, I can read 50 books in a year if they are all 200-300 pages.

But then Im missing out on longer content.

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pineapplesf t1_ivuq5sx wrote

cheating is only cheating yourself. there is no incentive to game it.

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