Reading widely can help your career by connecting you with people, identifying your interests, making you more creative, and providing a tangible payoff for your labors. However, it's often difficult to apply the knowledge gained from reading challenging books that don't seem directly applicable to one's work or life. To solve this problem of application, creating an environment where you can apply what you've learned is key. This can be achieved by having weekly calls with someone whose expertise is different from yours, relating your reading to current events, using a "book club" format, and applying the knowledge gained in a real-world setting, such as discussing it with others. By doing so, you can turn the practice of reading widely into a habit and reap its benefits for your career and personal growth.