I recently read "8 ways to read (a lot) more this year" by Neil Pasricha in the Harvard Business Review and it got me thinking about how I have intentionally built a reading habit in the past year.
Pasricha went from reading a handful of books a year to reading 50 books a year and then 100 books a year. He credits this dramatic increase to changes in his habits, not reading speed.
Here are his 8 key tips:
Minimize distractions: Move your TV away from high-traffic areas and replace it with a bookshelf.
Make a public commitment: Share your reading goals with others to hold yourself accountable.
Find trusted sources for recommendations: Look for curated book lists from people with similar tastes. (I am following some great book/reading creators on IG including my great friend of 20+ years @readingwithmurillo)
Don't be afraid to quit books: It's okay to abandon books that aren't engaging you. (This one is hard for me, but life is too short to read a terrible book!)
Limit news consumption: Consider unsubscribing from news sources and magazines to free up time and money for reading.
Think of your bookshelf as dynamic: Regularly add and remove books to keep things fresh and interesting.
Read physical books: There are benefits to having a physical book collection and taking breaks from screens. (I now only buy physical books for work-related books so that I can highlight the content).
Read everywhere, all the time: Find small pockets of time throughout the day to squeeze in some reading. (This is another benefit of having the Kindle App on my phone).
I set a goal to read 60 books in 2024 and so far, I am on track.
Here are some additional ways that I have built a reading habit:
Find Your Genre: Explore different genres to find what sparks your interest. Whether it's historical fiction, mystery, science fiction, or self-help, there's a book out there for everyone.
Join a Book Club: Discussing books with others can deepen your understanding and appreciation for the text. It can also be a fun way to connect with people who share your passion for reading. My book club meets on text every Sunday night for 15 minutes and on Zoom for 20 minutes once we finish a book. It's the perfect mix of accountability and community for busy folks!
Use Your local Library: Libraries offer a vast selection of books for free or at a minimal cost. I appreciate the variety of online e-books available through my local library. You can also borrow audiobooks if you prefer listening rather than reading.
Track Your Progress: Keep a reading log to track the books you've read and set goals for the future. This can be a motivating tool and a way to celebrate your accomplishments. I am tracking my reading on Goodreads. It's also a great place to discover new authors and read reviews from fellow readers.
Check out my 2024 Summer Reading List on the blog.
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