In the age of social media feeds and short-form video, it’s no wonder that many people are struggling to read as much as they would like to. It’s hard to commit to reading a novel let alone a series when your attention span is short. However, as you improve your reading abilities, it naturally follows that you’ll read more. Here are some basic habits that can help you along this journey.
Read At The Same Time Every Day
Find some time in your schedule where you can commit at least a few minutes to reading. This could be before classes, at a lunch break, or you could make it a relaxing evening activity. It doesn’t have to be the only time of day you pick up your book, but building consistency will help you to have to expend less decision-making effort every time.
Read With A Pencil
This doesn’t apply to library books, but reading with a pencil can be a great way to engage more deeply with a book. Instead of taking in the words passively, by underlining sections or making notes in the margins, you take an active role in analysis and interpretation. Not only does it help you formulate thoughts about the book, but it also keeps you from zoning out and improves your comprehension.
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Put Your Phone Away
We all tend to carry our phones around with us everywhere, but notifications can be distracting and pull you out of the book you’re reading. It’s also easy to want to check the time when you have your phone on hand. You can still keep your phone with you, but just put it temporarily out of sight so you can devote your full attention to your reading for the moment.
Don’t Finish Every Book You Start
Oftentimes as readers we feel a sense of commitment to the books we’re reading, especially if we’ve bought them. It’s good to give each book a fair shot of a few chapters, but if you’re not enjoying reading it, then don’t be afraid to quit. There’s no sense in forcing yourself to finish a book that you don’t like, and it’s time that you could be spending reading something better.
Carry a Book With You
A great way to get yourself to read more is to pack a book with you when you go out. That way, if you find yourself bored throughout the day — on the train, in a waiting room, at lunch — you can grab it from your bag. It’s a great distraction, and productive at the same time.
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