Learning From Literature

Helpful Tips To Get Into Reading

Picture of a guy reading and relaxing

Reading is one of the most common New Year’s resolutions every year. In addition to being one of the most enjoyable activities, it is scientifically proven to benefit mental and physical health. 

Lots of people desire to read, yet for many reasons, few do. Some believe they don’t like reading. Some make excuses, such as “I don’t have time.” 

However, many new readers aren’t giving themselves a fair chance to dive into a stack of books because they don’t look at reading the right way. For example, if you didn’t enjoy the latest thriller you finished, don’t assume you hate all books – try a different genre or author. You don’t expect to love every movie you watch, do you? 

Choosing the wrong books to read is only one mistake out of many. Use these 14 tips to start your journey into the world of literature. Above all, remember that the more accessible and enjoyable the reading is, the more likely you are to stick with it!

Enjoy!

Make It A Relaxing Activity
  • Ex — Settle into your favorite chair with a blanket and some coffee or tea
  • Read after you complete your tasks for the day
    • Eventually, your brain will consider it a reward, and you’ll look forward to your reading time (even if only for some peace and quiet)
Read The Right Books
  • Choose topics you know you’ll enjoy 
  • The more you read, the more you’ll figure out what you like
  • If you read a thriller and hate it, don’t assume you hate all books – try a different genre or author
    • You don’t expect to love every movie you watch, do you?
Intentionally Schedule Reading Time
  • Set yourself a time to read, even if only 30 minutes
    • Average American → over 2 ½ hours of TV daily (so you have time!)
  • If the individuals in Ultra-Successful People And Reading have that much time to read, then we normal people who aren’t running billion-dollar companies should too
Start Small
  • Do yourself a favor and don’t start your first week of reading with War and Peace
  • Try an easy goal like 20 pages a day
Eliminate Distractions 
  • You have to focus and give yourself time to become immersed in a book before accurately judging whether you enjoy it
  • Put up your electronics (it’s only 20 pages, c’mon)
Read On Your Most Convenient Media 
  • Take away any friction / resistance and make the act of reading easy as possible
  • You can now get books on your phone, kindle, audio, paperback, etc.
  • Ex — read on your phone during lunch break
Only Read Books You Really Love
  • You do not have to finish every book you start
    • If you force yourself to finish a book you don’t enjoy, then you won’t want to continue a habit of reading because of the bad experience
    • Plus, it will simply take forever to finish because you aren’t motivated
Get A Partner To Read With You
  • All activities are less demanding when you have someone to do them with
  • Even if you don’t hold each other accountable, just knowing that someone you admire likes reading influences you to want to read
  • Bonus points if you read the same books and talk about them together!
Use Extra Time
  • There are many small, free-time moments throughout the day, even if we don’t notice them because they are short
  • Ex — read while waiting for your kids to get out of sports practice
  • Ex — read during the last 15 minutes of your lunch break
Replace Other Entertainment With A Book
  • You already have time in your daily routine for other forms of entertainment. Choose to read instead of your regular habits, whether watching TV, scrolling through social media, etc.
Keep A Log 
  • Seeing your progress will make you proud and want to read more
  • At least list the title and author, but you can also personalize it with more information, such as the date read, a rating out of 5 stars, and more
Hack Your Environment
  • If you make it easier to read and harder to do other non-productive things, you will end up reading more
  • Ex — Place books out right next to your favorite chair + unplug the TV
Have A Designated Spot To Read 
  • Eventually, your designated spot will turn into your little mental nook where you can have some peace and relax
  • Don’t read in bed or places you correlate with sleep – your brain will unconsciously start to turn off and you won’t be able to focus
Read The Book Version Of Your Favorite Movie / TV Show
  • Some people might not like knowing what happens, but for some people, it doesn’t matter
  • If you already know you like the characters and plot, you are rigging the experience to be fun!

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