Overcoming PTRD, Step One: Admitting You Have a Problem
Is your reading list limited to emails and the backs of cereal boxes? Are you feeling lost in the modern world? Do you feel stunted in your development as a salesperson, or as a person in general? Believe it or not, these are all signs of a very serious mental condition called Post Traumatic Reading Disorder, or PTRD.
When it comes to anxiety, reading is an underestimated problem. It might not be something that Dr. Phil discusses between out-of-control teen day and husband boot camp, but it’s something that affects many of us. Still, you might have been traumatized and not even realize it.
Diagnosis
Think back to your childhood. Do you remember throwing together a hastily-written book report on Treasure Island, or reading James Joyce’s Ulysses in college and having no clue what it meant? The books themselves are harmless, but reading them is nonetheless traumatic for one important reason: You’re forced to do it. Not only that, you’re forced to write essays on them. This demand for regurgitation can cause severe performance anxiety which, in the end, turns you off to reading altogether.
Fast-forward a few decades. You’re in the real world now, trying to get ahead and excel in sales. Not reading regularly will affect your performance and your happiness in general. You know that reading should be a part of your day-to-day life. There are reports, memos, proposals, and contracts waiting on your desk at work, and books waiting on your nightstand at home. You feel guilty neglecting them and the value they could be adding to your life. Still, you just can’t bring yourself to give them the attention they deserve, all because of PTRD.
Symptoms
Without the proper recovery program, you’ll only continue to suffer from Post Traumatic Reading Disorder. Some of the common symptoms include:
- Difficulty developing and understanding new ideas
- Lack of inspiration
- Lack of personal and professional fulfillment
- Poor writing style
- Failure to stay competitive in the sales force
Treatment
I know; this is starting to sound like one of those commercials for anti-depressants or “invigorators,” but we promise not to tell you to talk to your doctor about some cure-all medication. In fact, there’s a simple cure for PTRD that’s 100% effective: A regular dose of R-E-A-D-I-N-G.
Now that you know why you don’t like to read, it’s time to learn all the reasons why you should love it. Next week, we’ll delve into how regular reading can make you a happier and more successful individual.
Want to kick start your PTRD treatment right away? Subscribe now for a weekly dose of sales inspiration.
