Why do some people do it more than others? Why is it a popular hobby?
As you might already know, reading is highly beneficial. Its main advantages include memory improvement, improved concentration, stress reduction, and vocabulary expansion. But beyond all these, reading offers an escape from the grind of daily life.
Unfortunately, though a lot of people want to read more, their schedules or motivation fail them. Nevertheless, there are various things you can do to make time and build your motivation and get back to picking up books from your to-read list.
Here are five recommended methods to start reading more for those who wish to.
1. Pencil It In
Creating a schedule will help you form a habit. And once reading becomes a habit, you will be able to do more of it.
Even highly successful companies like Apple, Google, and Yahoo have something called a “genius hour” where employees can do anything they wish, even read a book. Consider setting aside at least 15 minutes every day for reading. Also, make sure the environment is conducive to reading — the place should be quiet, or you could play some soft, instrumental music.
If reading is important to you, you will be able to schedule a time to do it regardless of how busy you are. Doing so also removes the hassle of having to find time every day to read and reduces procrastination.
2. Join a Book Club
Book clubs are a great way people of all ages can enjoy reading. According to statistics, around five million Americans are part of a book club and belong to online reading groups. You will be surprised to learn that Mark Zuckerberg has a book club you can join.
By joining a book club, you will be able to discover a new hobby and make some new friends along the way. The discussions, questions, and learning tasks will also help you recognize the power of your voice. Furthermore, reading with others and sharing what you have read motivates others and is beneficial for accountability.
Different book clubs feature different processes. In fact, there exist online groups or in-person groups too. So, figure out an option that’s right for you. You could also create a book club of your own with your friends.
3. Reading Chic
Sometimes, dressing up can motivate you and set your whole mood to that of a reader. So, you will be motivated to read and then read a bit more.
Wear something elegant- and timeless-looking. If you are at home, slipping into a pair of yoga pants would be enough. Also, people who read a lot often wear glasses. Round, big, squared, or a pair of stylish rimless glasses mens, whatever you find to your liking can help. Lastly, consider some sort of accessories like earbuds or headphones, a recycled notepad, or a pen.
4. Try Shorter Books
Sometimes, you lose interest in a book midway because it is too long and thus harder to get through and fit into your schedule. Perhaps, you should give short books a try.
Though they are easier to read, in terms of time spent, shorter books do pack a lot of emotion, plot development, and more in fewer pages. So, you will be more tempted to finish more of them.
So, if you don’t have enough time to read, or if you want to read a book a day, shorter, powerful reads that pack around 300 pages or less would be the way to go.
5. Always Have a Book
Believe it or not, always having a book on hand will naturally influence you to read more.
The opportunities to read are endless, and they are everywhere, maybe before a business meeting or when you are commuting to work.
Simply pull out your book and start reading whenever you have a moment of nothing to do.
Carrying digital versions of the books you wish to read can be beneficial if you always find it hard to carry a book around. But if you prefer a hard copy over a soft copy, that can’t help.
Happy Reading!
Knowing how to read is the easier part but making time to read isn’t. Planning to read more might seem like a difficult habit to develop at first. But with the right mindset, the proper goal, and the right dose of motivation, you will be able to increase the number of pages you read each day, thereby the number of books you read each year. With the tips mentioned above in mind, pick up that book and get reading now.