Simple Tips to Start Reading - Learning From Literature

Reading is one of the most popular New Year’s resolutions — and for good reason. It’s not only enjoyable but also proven to boost both mental and physical health.

Yet despite the desire, many people struggle to turn reading into a habit. Some claim they don’t enjoy it or simply don’t have time. Often, the real issue is mindset. Just because one book didn’t click doesn’t mean reading isn’t for you — try a new genre or author, just as you would with movies.

Picking the wrong book is just one common mistake. These 14 tips will help you build a reading habit that sticks by making the experience more enjoyable and accessible.

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 Why Successful People Read 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 15 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 15 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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