I usually read around two books a month, but I haven’t finished a book in almost three and a half months. I’m currently stuck on a great book: Jonathan Haidt’s The Righteous Mind: Why Good People are Divided by Politics and Religion. It’s a dense, well-researched volume, and it takes a lot of concentration to read well. I’m committed to finishing it, but I haven’t made it a priority.

A regular reading habit is central to personal development, and the effects of stopping are noticeable. My brain feels malnourished and slightly atrophied. I’m reminded of something Jim Rohn used to say: “Some people read so little they’ve got rickets of the mind.” That’s a great metaphor.

If, like me, you’ve let your reading habit go, consider making it a priority for the rest of the week. Like anything else, maintenance is easy—the hard part is getting started. If you’ve got a book you’re working on, pick it back up. If you’re between books, grab a new one. Once you get going, you’ll be off to the races.

As for me, I’m going to go read.