5 Tips to Cultivate a Reading Habit
“With a book, you’re never alone” — Bisila Bokoko
Every year, most people set goals for themselves to read a certain number of books. But, just like most New Year resolutions, they become like every other unaccomplished word.
There are numerous benefits of reading good books. They can make your mind think deeper, teach you more about your field, sharpen your skills, curb your anxieties and generally just help you grow to the next level. Whatever your field or interests might be, it’s very important to create a consistent pattern and habit to read beyond your horizons.
If reading is a habit you’ll like to cultivate, there are some practical ways to approach it, especially if you always find yourself drifting from your reading goals.
1. Determine Your Reading Goal
In order to create a reading habit and culture, it’s important to start off by setting a goal. This goal should be articulated and backed up with a purpose.
Start by thinking about how a consistent reading pattern can help you grow in different areas of your life- spiritual, academics, career, relationships, and more. When you find concrete reasons and a purpose attached to your goal, you’ll be more motivated to keep pushing and achieve it.
For some, it could be a goal of reading 24 books in a year. Another person might have a goal of 12, depending on various factors. Once you’re done placing a target figure to your reading goal, then divide them into smaller goals. Be determined to make it an enjoyable process; don’t see it as a tasking chore.
2. Make a List of Books for Each Month
Once you’re done setting your reading goal for the year, you’ll need a list to back it up. Write out a list of the amazing books you want to read. Ask for recommendations from friends and mentors. It’s important to keep a journal, notepad, or excel spreadsheet listing the books you’ll like to read for each month or even a year.
A reading list will also help you stay organized. Take it a step further by creating a log attached to that list, including the start and finish dates, keynotes, or lessons; to help you easily tick off once you’re done with each book. Note that, reading these books doesn’t mean discarding them afterward. A list and log with notes about your thoughts will encourage you to look through them months later, just in case you need some inspiration at some point.
3. Read at Least 10–20 Pages a Day
If you’re looking to create a consistent reading pattern, then setting out a particular number of pages per day would work perfectly. Consider setting aside at least 10–20 pages per day to read, especially if you have a busy schedule. This process will help you stay focused as you look forward to accomplishing your daily goal of a specific number of pages. Focus leads to efficiency and soon enough, reading will become a lifestyle for you.
Be very proactive when you read. Don’t rush through, but instead take out time to understand and engage in the reading process. This way, you’ll be open to learning and be able to transfer that knowledge to others when the opportunity comes.
4. Set Reading Times and Days
Set aside specific times every day to read your assigned book for the week/month and any other articles you may have bookmarked. Put away distractions such as turning off the TV and other things that may hinder your reading time. Ready for at least 30–40 minutes a day is a great start and would help you develop a concrete reading habit as you’ll always look forward to having your ‘me time’ that supports your reading goals. You could also have a reading day to help you stay dedicated or catch up on other days you might have fallen back on your goals.
5. Invest in Tools that Encourage Reading
When it comes to efficiency, it’s important to invest in the right tools that will set the pace for a better reading pattern. For those that love hard copy books, consider setting aside a good reading environment with appropriate tables and chairs to help you stay focused. That way, you will gradually get accustomed to that space and look forward to your reading time. For most people today, mobile apps, tablets, news aggregators, e-book readers, and other online tools actually work wonders. Because the world is digital, most people prefer having handy mobile appliances that would help them stay on top of their goals. Figure out what tools work best for you and invest in them.
To develop a reading culture, you must first analyze your current reading habits. Do you read at all? Do you start off and stop at some point? Do you plan your reading or just read randomly? In order to truly achieve your reading goals and build a consistent reading habit, you’ll need to set up simple systems, use the right reading tools, find accountability, and generally be hungry to grow beyond your comfort zone.
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