The First 50

In 2018 I set out to read 50 books as a personal challenge to myself.  It was not a New Year's Resolution because honestly, those make me barf a little bit in my mouth.  It was a promise to myself that I'd make "one day" start happening today.

In 2017 I had read in Malcolm Gladwell's book Outliers that a large part of Warren Buffet's success stems from the fact that he spends most of his time reading.  Not that I idolize Bufffet at all but I do recognize and credit his achievements.  I then considered the people in my life who I do admire and aspire to be like and it occurred to me that in large part, my admiration for them had largely to do with their intellect and perspective.  It turns out that the common thread among those people is that, like Buffet, they were also readers.

So, with this in mind I set off on my journey to read 50 books.  After all, if I could read 25 then why not 50?  I read anything and everything.  You name it.  Short or long.  Fiction or non-fiction.  Self-help or romance.  It really didn't matter.  You see, I have a tendency of setting fairly strict parameter of success for myself (this has much to do with my type A perfectionist tendencies - more on that another time).  So much so that I realized that I had to loosen these parameters as they were limiting me and preventing me from reaching my infinite potential.  So, I approached my goal with an open mind, and loosed up and let myself read whatever I felt like (ok, honestly, I know it sounds crazy but it was really hard at first!)  I caught myself time and time again wondering if a book would "qualify" - like, what the hell!  I'm in control of my goal.  No one else.  I don't have to report to anyone, right?  It was hard to be open and free at first but in the end, by giving myself some breathing room I was able to feel my way through my lofty goal.

I read paperbacks, hard covers and audio books throughout 2018 and I came across some great books.  Some of which were game changers for me.  I realized so much about myself, life, and health.  But I'm guessing that you're wondering, "Did she do it?  Did she reach her goal of 50 books?  Because really, who does that?"

Well, I'll admit.  I didn't.

I actually didn't reach my goal of 50.

Sorry.

Instead I read 60.

I know what you're thinking, "That's crazy!"  And yes, it does sound strange to write it here or say it out loud in public because seriously, who does that?  Well I do.  In fact, I did it and I loved it and I'm proud of it.

For me, going back to reading was not only trans-formative but also an awakening.  Not only did it change what I was doing with my time (because seriously, something has to give in order to fit reading into your day - so yes, folks, no TV for me) but it also changed perspective.   It changed how I thought about my life, my habits, my goals, my values, my relationships, my approach to life and who exactly I've always meant to become.  It helped me see what amazing things I'm capable of.

The transformation of reading 60 books in one year awoke in me the realization that I was able to set a goal, stick to it and achieve something that most people would not.  I saw how others looked at me in awe for having read that much as this is something most people would love to do but would never  attempt.  As Rachel Hollis put it in Girl, Stop Apologizing, I realized that I chose to live in a way that most other would not in order to become someone most people could never be.

I saw myself becoming.

I realized the power of living for today.

I chose to be ambitious and empowered myself in ways I could have never imagined.  This spilled into my personal and professional life.  And after reaching those 60 books, I realized that I simply couldn't stop.

2019 came and I reset my goal and aimed again for another 50.