(The Key to Life is) Running, Reading… and Writing
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Will Smith said it: “The key to life is running and reading.”
I’m just a beginner at running, and know just enough about it to agree with the Man in Black. And reading? I don’t think there is a single activity in the human life that would bring as much joy and food for thought to a person’s life than reading.
That’s why, in this post I’m going to focus on reading (I will write about running once I can honestly claim to know something about it - right now, it’s not the time yet).
When I envision my dream job, I see myself surrounded by books. I see high bookshelves on all four walls. I see ladders used to get the books from the upper shelves. And I see myself sitting in the corner of the room, next to a fireplace. Reading.
But there is something missing from this picture: the job.
Unfortunately, no matter how hard I have tried to think about it, there is no such job as a reader.
And in fact, such a job would be theoretically impossible because it would benefit no one. Information is only useful when it’s used to create something new — or to support the common good. This is why I added the third ingredient to the key to life: writing.
Writing puts your reading to test. It makes your brain process the things you have read, to combine them into new, meaningful and useful sentences. And if you haven’t paid attention to what you have read, writing will quickly show you where you went wrong.
Reading without writing is a waste of time (actually not quite — but close enough to justify this bold claim, I think), because if you just put more and more new ideas in your brain but never use that wealth of information, who will benefit from your reading? No one.
But if reading without writing is a waste of time, writing without reading is just foolish.
How could anyone know how to write without having seen the great examples from the writers before them?
How could anyone become a real author without knowing what real authors do?
How could anyone relate their ideas to the ideas that have come before them without knowing what others have been thinking about?
That’s why reading and writing always go hand in hand: if you want to write, you need to read. And if you love to read, it makes a lot of sense to write. You don’t have to. But it’s still a good idea.
But why should you do either of them?
If reading and writing go hand in hand, that doesn’t still doesn’t mean that you should read and write. It just means that if you read, you should also write.
But wait! There are many good reasons for reading and writing.
First, hear what Will Smith says about reading. Before I saw this video a few days ago at Zen Habits I had never thought that Mr. Smith was anything more than a nice guy playing the occasional role of a super hero on the big screen.
Well, he is. And you will agree after watching this video.
“(The Key to Life is) Running and Reading”
So, Will tells you that reading helps you through the different stages in your life. It shows you that someone else has struggled with the same questions and obstacles that you are facing right now. And it lets you learn from their mistakes rather than make all the same mistakes over and over again.
But that’s not all.
Reading helps you understand the world. Through stories you will see the full range of human emotions. Through scientific writing you will learn the facts from dinosaurs to evolution to far away galaxies to how the thought goes through your brain and lights the idea bulb right above your head.
Reading gives you ideas. A lot of the new ideas are created when two or more ideas from different areas of life are brought together. Frans Johansson calls this the Medici Effect. But with or without a fancy name, this means that the broader the selection of books you read is, the more likely you are to come up with new ideas.
Reading fuels your curiosity. It gives answers to the questions your curious mind has come up with, which leads to a happy, warm feeling of a fulfilled need. And then, all of the sudden, it creates more questions. And more. Each new idea, and each new book gets your curiosity flowing more freely than before.
Reading helps you sleep better. If you have trouble falling to sleep at night, reading can help. A light novel gets your thoughts off the stress you have been fighting throughout the day, and sleeping becomes easier than before.
Reading is fun. There are not many things that would be as entertaining than a good book. And no, although TV tells stories too, it’s not the same as a book. Try it, you’ll feel the difference.
What about writing?
For that, I have to turn to Scott Ginsberg and his mentor, Jeffrey Gitomer who say it beautifully:
Writing is the basis of all wealth
But now, I’m off to read a book! I suggest you do the same.
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August 16th, 2008 at 12:55 am
Thanks for the link, Jarkko!I agree, (and so does Stephen King, I’ve been reading his “On Writing” lately) reading and writing go hand in hand, one enhances the other in ways people don’t easily see on the surface.
August 16th, 2008 at 4:01 am
When i saw the post on ZenHabits regarding the Will Smith video I actually skipped past it. I decided to check it out now and I have new found respect for will.
Interestingly he is a strong devotee to Scientology.
Glen Allsopps last blog post..What Message would you Leave before you Die?
August 16th, 2008 at 7:19 am
@Harry: Oh yeah, that’s right! I read “On Writing” some time ago and liked it a lot too.
@Glen: Scientology, huh? I didn’t know that… That doesn’t sound too good - but on the other hand, (luckily) that doesn’t change the message in for example this video.
Thanks for the info, Glen!
August 16th, 2008 at 11:53 am
Hi Jarko,
I liked the Will Smith video .. thanks for posting it here.
As for reading and writing, I think sometimes it’s hard to maintain a good balance. If given the choice, I’ll read all day long … and put off actually writing anything for as long as I possibly can.
… as a blogger, it’s great to find new ideas. But, it doesn’t do you much good if you never get around to putting fingers to keyboard and expressing your thoughts on those ideas.
All that being said, I do love reading :-)
Todd
Todd Morriss last blog post..Hiking the Manana Trail
August 17th, 2008 at 3:15 pm
I agree with phrase “if you want to write, you need to read”. However it matters what you read. Technical articles wont help too much to write a great novel. Too bad I have been rather lazy to keep my readings diverse.
Pepezs last blog post..Expat Software
August 17th, 2008 at 10:32 pm
Can’t tell you how many times that running part crossed my mind while running the marathon (Helsinki City) last weekend :) Yes, I saw the video too and I think that the message was good. However reading is something I have just started to enjoy (mostly just self-help/web design stuff), but eventually I would like start writing too (perhaps there is a good book about writing that I can read :)
August 18th, 2008 at 8:57 am
Do you think some other forms of exercise could do the same as running or is running somehow extra special? I had some knee issues as a teenager (basicly any running made my knees just give up) and I haven’t really risked running as a form of exercise since. I push myself in other ways currently, in the gym and when cycling, but now I’m wondering if there is a big difference in the amount of ’safe’ pushing that running allows.
I do agree that reading without using the information is like an idea without implementation, that is, not worth much.
Lynoure Braakmans last blog post..Clear confirmation
August 18th, 2008 at 9:34 am
@Lynoure:
Have you tried aquajogging? This is something I used when I had some issues with my knee last year. It is actually very efficient because of the water, but at the same time it’s quite gentle to your body (especially to your legs). Sure, it looks funny but I have that in my training program at least twice a week. See Wikipedia for more information about this.
August 18th, 2008 at 9:37 am
@Todd: I’m just like you. I’d rather be reading and thinking than actually putting the thoughts down on paper.
But then again, every time I force myself to get started, I’m reminded that I also love to write! So, like you say, it’s all about maintaining a healthy balance of input and output.
@Pepez: You’re right. It’s important to keep your reading intake diverse. Reading only technical material won’t serve as a good basis for a novel writer, but it can add a nice touch on top of the ground work laid by reading great novelists.
@Timo: You ran the Helsinki City Marathon? How did it go? It’s funny how we come to this same topic from opposite directions: you are just starting to enjoy reading and writing, whereas I’m learning to enjoy running… :)
For a book about writing, I suggest Stephen King’s “On Writing” - it’s a quick read but gives you a good idea on what writing (novels) is about.
@Lynoure: Honestly, I don’t know. I would imagine that endurance sport such as skiing, biking, hiking etc. would have the same effect. But I’m such a beginner that I can’t really say. Maybe Timo can answer this question better… Timo?
August 18th, 2008 at 7:21 pm
@Jarkko: It went well (03.27.25), thanks for asking :) I was able to break my own personal record by 16 minutes and achieved the goal I set for myself at the beginning of this year (which was 3.30 or better).
Thanks for the tip about the book. I’ll want check it out! Yes, I believe that it’s really great to do the both: running is a physical activity which keeps you in good shape whereas reading/writing is something that can make your mind more fit :)
@Lynoure: I went for some aquajogging today and it was a really nice experience even after running a marathon couple of days ago. My calfs hurt because of the stress I experienced on the race but I couldn’t feel a thing when aquajogging. So once again it was a good indicator that water as running element is very good for you.
August 18th, 2008 at 9:44 pm
@Timo: Congrats! That’s better than Alex Stubb’s result (3.31,25) :)
August 19th, 2008 at 12:31 am
Beautiful site design. I just found you this morning. I think there are professional reader jobs, but they’re not the kind of jobs we’d want, and they certainly wouldn’t let us read Stephen King. And speaking of “On Writing,” that’s the book I bought for my wife a little over a year ago. I ended up (like most books I buy for her) reading it myself. It is in large part responsible for my conversion to being a writer.
Writer Dads last blog post..Big Sloppy Thanks
August 19th, 2008 at 8:45 am
@Writer Dad: Thanks!
I tried hard to think about the reader jobs - but I think there is something blocking my mind from reaching the answer… I can’t think of any. What are the reading jobs you are thinking of?
I love your blog and it’s great to meet a fellow writer dad! It’ll be interesting to share experiences with you!
August 20th, 2008 at 1:05 am
Hi Jarkko,
I didn’t even know you responded to me. I was just nosing back this way, because your site was my favorite that I found yesterday. Seeing your response made me smile.
I know someone who is a professional reader. She hates her job. She has to start at the bottom of the slush pile, and recommend the good stuff. I don’t get the impression that she sees very much of it.
Really, I love everything about your site. The colors, and the text. Really great job. See you around.
Writer Dads last blog post..I Promise.
August 20th, 2008 at 9:41 am
@Jarkko: Thank you! I know that he’s is in good shape because he finished the half-distance triathlon this summer but let’s see if I can make the same myself next year :)
August 21st, 2008 at 7:54 am
Funny that you’ve posted this. It’s always been one of my dream jobs to be review books. I believe some of the large publishing companies actually do have these positions within their firms. I’m off to the Monster.com lol.
August 21st, 2008 at 8:21 am
@Scrubs: Thanks! Now I finally get it - there are jobs where you can (almost) only read. Although the reviewer needs to comment on the book, I guess it’s the closest you can get to just reading all day long…
Good luck job hunting ;)
August 21st, 2008 at 4:12 pm
I certainly agree with all your points about reading, but I’m not sure the need to write holds true. As long as the knowledge gained from reading is used in some way - for example since running is part of this discussion, is you read about running and it makes your experience as a runner better that was certainly not time wasted.
“because if you just put more and more new ideas in your brain but never use that wealth of information, who will benefit from your reading? No one.”
There are many ways to benefit from information besides writing.
To those wondering about running vs. other sports - Will’s point is that the lessons of running will help you over life’s hurdles. There are many sports that do that, as long as there is a goal involved and enough triumph over adversity or striving for a difficult personal best to give you confidence in other situations. Try cycling - but try to achieve something challenging like riding a century (100 miles). Try a triathlon. Hike a significant mountain. Take up rowing. There are lots of ways as long as it’s more than just going out and having fun (although believe me there is merit in that too - I just think that is different from what Will is talking about).
David Hutchisons last blog post..University of Toronto Schools (UTS)
August 22nd, 2008 at 6:36 am
Yes, I also agree that if we are to improve our writing we need to read. Indeed it has helped me a lot. I started blogging as a hobby about 2 yrs ago and the blog has grown beyond my wildest dreams!
As a result the expectations are more from the readers. The fact that English is not my first language doesn’t help either. But I have gotten by :-0) It has a lot to do with observing and learning by reading great writing.
Shamelle - TheEnhanceLifes last blog post..DVD Clutter: How To De-Junk A DVD Collection
August 22nd, 2008 at 8:34 am
@David: You’re right, to say that to put the things you have read into use you have to write is an exageration. There are many reasons for reading and one definitely is to get practical information you need to do things such as programming or running.
But I still believe that there is something more between reading and writing. When writing, you are working on the ideas themselves, not (just?) their implementation.
About running and other kind of sport, I think that’s exactly what Will means, and it makes a lot of sense.
@Shamelle: You know, I have the same problem as you do - English is not my first language. But I guess we’re both doing OK :) By observing and reading a lot, we’ll get there.