We have guidelines for a balanced diet of food. But on his blog, consultant Kevin Eikenberry argues that we also need a balanced reading diet, to help us develop:
Goal reading: Items that you need to reach an important life goal. The subject matter in this category will change over time.
Inspirational reading: Make time every day for something that lifts your mind and attitudes, be it poetry, religious material or other thoughtful reading.
Professional reading: This covers the journals, magazines, newsletters and blogs that keep you up to date on your work.
Current events reading: News and other information on current events, from newspapers and the Web.
Serendipitous reading: Explore reading from unexpected sources that might provide new ideas and creative thoughts. It can be magazines you don't normally read, links from e-mails that intrigue you, or what he calls semi-purposeful Web surfing.
Fun reading: Items that provide entertainment.
Light reading: Your snack-food equivalent, celebrity news and social media feeds.
He recommends the following time allocation for a balanced diet:
Goal reading: 20 minutes/day (23 per cent);
Inspirational: 10-15 minutes/day (11-18 per cent);
Professional: 15-20 minutes/day (18-23 per cent);
Current events: 10 minutes/day (11 per cent);
Serendipitous: one hour/week (10 per cent);
Fun: one hour/week (10 per cent);
Light: less than one hour/week (10 per cent).