Reading is important
Most of us know how important it is to read and how books can enhance our imagination and skills, yet we generally succumb to the lure of social media and other distractions which affect our reading. Being a "busy" reader is frustrating because we are always in search of time to have a good reading session. If this sounds familiar to you and you want to read more books this year, then here are some easy tips to follow which will help you find time to read in your busy schedule.
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Always carry a book
Whether you are commuting or waiting for a friend at a cafe, carrying a book with you is a great habit as you can utilise your time in such situations to read a little more.
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Listen to audiobooks
If reading while you are traveling/ commuting is not your taste or you drive to work everyday, then you can try listening to audiobooks during such times. There are plenty of audiobooks available on the internet and various apps (both free and paid) to choose from.
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Keep a track of your reading
Tracking the books you have read and those on your TBR-list is a great way of motivating yourself to read more. You can track your reading either through the good-old-way of journaling and penning down your thoughts about each book or by simply using apps on your smart phone. In case you are using an app then you can also get to know what to read next, based on your reading habits.
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Join a book club or make a reading buddy
Joining a book club, meeting like-minded reading buddies will encourage you to read more and keep you on track with it. Regularly sharing and discussing ideas and thoughts about books will not only broaden your thoughts and views but also your social circle. What's more, you might also get some book recommendations on what to read next.
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Take up a reading challenge
Challenging yourself is another way to motivate yourself to read more; also because it pushes you out of your comfort zone to read different kinds of books. There are plenty of reading challenges available online to choose from. You can also checkout our reading challenge HERE
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Set a book date
Just like you decide to meet friends to catch up with them, it is important to set up book-dates with the books on your reading list. Set aside a specific time for reading each day and switch-off your internet/wifi while reading so that you are less distracted, or make it more special by actually setting up a date and time to finish the book you have been intending to read for so long. After all, book's are our best friends and what's better than being in good company?
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Read every day
Be it five or 50 pages a day, make it a habit to read every single day. It doesn't matter if you read a book, a short-story, the newspaper, comics or a magazine-- read what you enjoy because it all counts. You can also set a daily goal of reading a fixed number of pages to make it a habit.
Read before you go to sleep
There have been various studies which tell us to cut short our screen-time before going to bed as it helps the brain to relax after a long day. Reading in bed before you go to sleep has various benefits-- it helps clear the mind thus enhancing our sleep quality. So, make it a habit to read a few pages each night before falling asleep.
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Read a mix of thick and thin books
It's an achievement in itself to finish reading a good, thick book. But if you are struggling to keep up with your reading goals, then try reading a thin book every once in a while. Shorter books are quick to read and they give a sense of satisfaction of achieving your reading goal, especially on days when you are struggling to find time to read.
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Say no to those half-read books
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