Why I Read My Age Every Year

Every year, I set one simple but powerful personal goal:
Read my age.

That means this year, at 47, I’ll read 47 books.

It’s a challenge, a ritual, and a reflection of who I am — a learner, a leader, and a coach who believes growth never stops.

Why I Do It

I love to read.
I love a challenge.
And I love the feeling of learning — not just about the world, but about myself and the people I lead and coach.

Reading is how I stay curious, creative, and grounded. It feeds my leadership, sharpens my perspective, and fuels the ideas I share with my clients, my teams, and the empowHER community.

As a soon-to-be published author (my book Not the Norm launches summer 2026), I also love supporting other writers. Every time I turn a page or hit “play” on Audible, I’m cheering on another storyteller doing their life’s work.

How It Works

Here’s how I make it happen year after year:

1. I set it with intention.
   It’s written on my 1-year vision worksheet at the start of each year.

2. I track it weekly.
   Roughly one book a week — it’s listed right on my battleboard that hangs in my home office.

3. I build it into my habits.
   I aim to read 30 minutes a day, tracked in my daily habits app.

4. I mix it up.
   I read physical books and listen on Audible while driving, folding laundry, cooking, or walking.

5. I choose what moves me.
   Fiction. Non-fiction. Leadership. Lifestyle. Personal growth. If it inspires me — it counts.

The Lesson Beyond the Pages

The “Read My Age” goal isn’t just about books — it’s about consistency, curiosity, and commitment.
It’s about modeling for my clients, my team, and myself that growth is both structured and spontaneous.

Some years I hit the goal. Some years I don’t. But every year, I learn something new about discipline, focus, and the power of daily habits.

Because reading my age isn’t about keeping score — it’s about staying in the game of becoming a better version of myself.

If you’re looking for a challenge that blends learning, structure, and joy — try it.
Read your age this year. Then watch what happens when you start turning those pages with intention.

P.S. If you’d like the list of books I’ve read in 2024, a copy of the 1-year vision worksheet, and a photo of my battleboard, email me at toni@toniwill.com and I’ll send it to you.