Do you really want to be that person on your deathbed who says, ‘ Oh, I wished I live a better life and did the things I wanted to do.’

Yeah, I thought so. Nobody does. Especially me…

But a few days ago I realized that while I won’t be one my deathbed (or freak accident flashback, if the grim reaper throws things in my favour) thinking about doing all the fun stuff, I might be the one who says: ‘I wish I had read more books.’

I know what you’re thinking: Such a nerd! (Marry me!)

But seriously though…over my adult life (which hasn’t been that long) I’ve amassed a little collection of books that are all ‘so amazing’ that I absolutely ‘must read’. The number I’ve actually read in their entirety is…a colossal failure. Don’t act like you don’t know what I mean. You go into the bookstore and go wild picking up all this awesomeness, basking in the wonderful world that is the ‘new book smell’. Go home, glance through a few pages, then put it on a bookshelf…until later.

Later is the one word everyone uses and still has faith in, yet we all know it’s never coming.

Yeah, it kinda feels like this

SO JFDI! (That’s a more colourful version of the Nike’s popular tagline)

I know you are intimidated. I am too. All these great-looking books on the shelf and no clue where to begin. But the fact is, you can’t make a wrong choice. You got all of them because you wanted to read all of them so just pick one and start reading. But wait…before you do that…

In order to ensure you are committed to this process of using your books as more than just spiral bound delight for visitors to look at, there are a few steps I recommend trying. Sure, I just made them up and have no idea if they actually work but you can follow me on my journey to see if they do. Worst case scenario, your first book gets read. Plus, they are based on solid planning and productivity principles so we should be good…I think.

1. Make a list of all books you have that you want to read – only the books you have right now (none you plan to buy) – I have 108
2. Go through the list and assign a rating to the books according to how badly you want to read them.
3. Estimate how long it takes you on average to read a book and then, based on this, estimate how long it will take you to go through the pile.
4. Schedule time to read! Whatever time you are sure you will be free from distractions, etc. – book it and allow no disturbances. Sooner (rather than later) it will be the best habit your body ever got into.
5. Give yourself a reward after completing each book and each rating pile. Make sure to cross it off your master list so you can visualize the progress you are making.
6. DO NOT BUY ANYMORE BOOKS. Work with the list you have until you’re done. This way whenever you see a book you want to buy, you will be further motivated to read so you can go fuel your book-hoarding addiction.

Oh yeah, he’s mocking us. Total #guilttrip

Now pick up that books and read with the passion you read the Fifty Shades trilogy a few weeks ago! (I sure read the hell outta those books.)

As I said, I have no clue if this works or anything but with my credibility on the line with this post (yeah right, like I  have credibility anyway), I’ll be sure to  do my hardest to make it work.

If you’re planning to join in and get those books read let me know and we’ll track our progress together on Twitter! I’m starting with Angels & Demons by Dan Brown.