Way back when I was in school and university, I had to read quite a bit of material prescribed by teachers and professors.
Today, I still read many books and white papers but these are determined solely by my curiosity or even fun. I am permitted to be autodidactic and read about what I think is interesting.
When I allow myself to learn unconditionally, I allow myself certain behaviors such as:
There has to be a benefit either in the immediate or in the near future. I think of it as a knowledge repository. I don’t know when I will use it, but it will be there when I need it.
It does not have to stand alone, but it could be a piece of the puzzle that helps work out something in my comprehension of the topic.
My curiosity overrules obligation. Therefore I am more interested and can appreciate it.
If I learn what feels obligated (everyone else is reading, you should too, Chris) then that means I have learned what everyone else has. This will help me blend in with groupthink and mindsets. Boring.