The accidental system that turned my reading habit into a masterclass in growth, grit, and getting things done.
Most people read for escape. I read for training.
That wasn’t the plan. Not intentionally — not at first. But somewhere between my fiftieth highlight and my second or third reread of Atomic Habits, I realized I wasn’t just consuming stories or ideas. I was gathering lessons — one page, one paragraph, one prompt at a time.
I’m a writer and a runner. I’m also a parent and a federal logistics employee stationed overseas. My schedule is full — and so is my mental bandwidth.
So when I read, it has to work for me.
I don’t mean I only read “serious” books. I mean I let whatever I’m reading — psychology, fantasy, business, contemporary romance — speak to whatever I’m wrestling with: motivation, burnout, discipline, focus, ambition, or creative uncertainty.
The result? I walk away from books feeling more capable. Like I just had a coaching session with someone smarter than me…