A lot of people say they want to read more, but few actually follow through on that goal. Part of the reason is that it can be hard to get into the habit of reading, especially if you’re not already a big reader. If you’re looking to make reading a bigger part of your life but don’t know where to start, here are seven tips to help you get into the habit of reading more.
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Set Time
One of the best ways to make reading a habit is to set time aside specifically for reading. Whether it’s 30 minutes every night or an hour on your lunch break, setting aside time will make it more likely that you’ll sit down and read. As a college student, I always try to squeeze in some reading time, even when I have a dissertation or classwork. Thanks to the internet, the fact that I can quickly get custom dissertation writing services online means I don’t have to stress over my schoolwork.
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Have A Goal
What do you want to achieve out of reading? Do you want to read one book a month? A book a week? Having a set goal will keep you on track.
We suggest starting small if you’re getting into reading. The goal of reading one book every month is achievable for most people and won’t feel too daunting. You can always increase your goal later as reading becomes more of a habit.
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Eliminate Distractions
This trick might seem obvious, but it’s worth repeating: eliminate distractions when you’re trying to read. That means no phones, no TV, no music, etc. If possible, find a quiet spot at home or in the library where you can focus solely on the book in front of you. We know it’s not always possible to find complete silence, but eliminating as many distractions as possible will help make reading feel less like a chore and more like a relaxing activity.
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Always Find A Quiet And Comfortable Spot For Your Reading
This ties into eliminating distractions, but it’s worth mentioning separately because it’s so important. If you’re constantly trying to read in loud or disruptive environments, it’ll be much harder to get into the habit of reading. So, find a perfect spot where you can relax and focus on your reading without any outside interference.
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Always Have A Book Wherever You Go
Pull out your book and get some reading done whenever you have some downtime—whether you’re waiting in line or riding the bus. Having a book with you always makes it easy to sneak in some extra reading whenever you have a few free minutes.
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Invest In Tools That Encourage Reading
If physical books aren’t your thing or if you prefer digital formats, there are plenty of tools out there (like Kindle and Audible) that make it easy and enjoyable to read electronically. Some apps track your progress and help keep you motivated (like Goodreads). Whatever format you prefer, ensure you have easy access to it so that reading is always an option when you have some free time.
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Get A Reading Buddy Or A Book Club
Finally, one of the surest ways to get into the habit of reading is by finding someone else who loves doing it too! Having someone to discuss what you’re reading with will make the experience even more enjoyable and help keep you accountable (bonus points if they live close by, so meeting up in person is an option). If no one in your life loves reading as much as you do, look for local book clubs or online communities dedicated to readers like yourself.
Conclusion
If getting into the habit of reading more is something you’ve wanted to do but haven’t been sure how to get started, hopefully, these tips will help! Just remember that Habits are created by taking small actions consistently over time—so don’t get discouraged if results don’t come immediately, and keep at it! Soon enough, curling up with a good book will become second nature.