I *love* to read!
And as true as that is, life gets busy sometimes, so we find ourselves wishing we would read more.
How about you?
Do you wish you could find more time to read?
If you do, you're not alone! According to the Pew Research Center, roughly a quarter of American adults didn't read a book at all in 2018.
At. All!
Reading is so important, not just for the sake of doing, but it also improves your physical and mental health, improves your vocabulary and cognitive skills, and don't even get me started on the list of successful people who attribute a huge portion of their success to reading! (Bill Gates, LeBron James, Warren Buffett and Oprah Winfrey to name a few)
So here are some tips on How to Read More This Year!
How to Read More
1. Make it a priority. Like so much in life, reading is a choice. It is a conscious decision to do this one thing over another. Reading can be just as engaging as watching TV, you just have to put down the remote, and pick up your book, and dive in!
2. Think you don’t like to read? You may not have found the right book just yet. Give different genres a try. I love fantasy books like Children of Blood and Bone and Harry Potter. I also adore cookbooks! I love reading about herbalism and at The Hippie Haus we read a personal development/financial improvement book every morning. Choose books to read based on what you like, it will make reading so much easier. Still not sure what to read? You can ask friends and family for recommendations, or check out my Top 20 Books for 2020 series [LINK]. You might find something that piques your interest!
3. If you don’t like a book, you don’t have to finish it. This is a really hard one for me. Once I start something, I feel like I have to finish it. It's just a book. No one is going to judge you for putting down a book and never opening it again. Reading is supposed to be enjoyable, so if you're not enjoying the book, it's okay to move on to the next.
4. Include reading in your daily routine. It's hard to forget to do something, if you make it part of your routine. Try adding 10 minutes of reading to your schedule. You can read in the morning with a cup of tea. Add reading a few pages as a way to break up your day when you're at the office. Or read some poetry before bed.
5. Don't shoot for the moon. I don't know about you, but I have a tendency to burn the candle at both ends. When I commit to doing something I often set such ambitious goals..... that I burn myself out. Instead of shooting for the moon, shoot for the couch. 10 minutes of reading is plenty, but I wouldn't suggest more than 5-10 pages starting out. Start out slow, it will make the whole process a lot more enjoyable!
6. Carry a book with you always. It can be an actual book, a kindle book, or an audio book, but make certain you have a book with you at all times. It's much easier to have time to read when the book is with you. It is amazing how much reading you can get done when you are waiting in the car pool line, outside of piano lessons, at the doctor’s office, etc.
7. Share your opinions on books. Telling friends and family about book you've read, or even writing reviews for the books online can be a great incentive to read. Knowledge sharing is such an enjoyable experience that it may motivate you to read more.
8. Don’t take reading so seriously. Reading can sometimes remind me of studying or homework, and as much as I love to read…. I was never a fan of homework. Thankfully, reading for enjoyment doesn't have to be crazy serious. I think it's worth mentioning again, don't shoot for the moon, shoot for the couch. It's just a book. Pour a cup of tea, maybe a glass of wine, curl up on the couch and enjoy yourself!
9. Know "why" you're reading. Are you reading to learn something new? Are you reading because you are crazy excited Children of Virtue and Vengeance is out? Whatever the reason you need to know why you're doing it. As with all things in life, when we have a good "why" then no distraction will keep us from our goals.
10. Just do it! Not to be cliche, but honestly… all the tips and tricks in the world are of little help, if you don't take a deep breath and just dive in! You can do anything you set your mind to and that includes Reading More This Year!
Are you committed to reading more this year? Do you have another book-shaped goal? Let us know in the comments below – We want to help cheer you on!
Peace and blessings
Comments