Reading is one of life’s great pleasures. It’s engaging, it’s relaxing and the more we do it, the more our minds expand. Here’s how you can develop a reading habit that lasts a lifetime.
Many of us leave school and that’s it. The learning stops. Our curiosity withered from years of teaching, we leave the world of books behind.
We might continue reading every day but it’s the news, the gossip and the self-indulgent tat you find in an instagram post. It’s the chaotic whirlwind of information that only makes us confused.
If you’re aware of the many benefits of reading the good stuff and would like to do it more often, this post is for you. Whether you like fiction, non-fiction, or both it will help you get back in touch with books.
How to Develop a Reading Habit
Getting yourself to read every day isn’t tricky. All it takes is the mind to do so, reinforced with positive action. Here are 8 simple steps that will help you develop a reading habit:
1. Pick a topic you really want to learn. Start with something you are deeply curious about and would like to explore. The more interest you have and the more questions you need answered, the more you’ll keep coming back. What’s one thing you’ve always wanted to learn? Or, in the case of fiction, what’s one adventure you’ve always wanted to live?
2. Order some books on the topic. A key factor in successfully forming a habit is having the tools you need to perform the task, and having them close at hand. Now that you’ve chosen a topic of interest, order a handful of books on the subject. Paperbacks or eBooks, whichever you prefer. Keep them beside your bed, or wherever you do your reading. Try to minimise the distance between wanting to read more and actually reading more.
3. Set the time and place. As with any habit, defining a time and place helps to establish the routine. One that’s easy to repeat and stick to over the long-term. For example, I read in bed every night before sleep. I’ve been doing it for years and don’t think twice about it. I don’t watch TV, because there’s no TV in the bedroom and I don’t look at social media, because my phone is tucked away in a drawer. What’s the best time and place for you to read consistently?
4. Start small. You’d be surprised how much reading, as little as 10 minutes a day, can increase your intelligence and stimulate your curiosity. When you start small, you can override the excuse that you don’t have enough time, and steadily build upon it.
5. Aim for consistency. See if you can read for 10 minutes a day for the next 30 days. Same time, same place, you’re going to keep that appointment with yourself. That’s an achievable goal and one that you can accomplish without much effort.
6. Increase the duration. Now that you’ve achieved consistency, can you read longer? 20 minutes, an hour, maybe two hours per day? Look for other opportunities to pick up a book (on a lunch break, while travelling) and replace your less desirable habits, like scrolling through social media.
7. Remove obstacles that arise. Whenever you try to develop a new habit, you come up against a series of obstacles. They could be mental, emotional, physical, social or financial. Some of them are real, while others are conjured up in the mind. Your ability to honestly identify and overcome these obstacles will ensure you remain consistent over the long-term.
8. Create a practice. The word habit is very practical and utilitarian, but it fails to ignite any kind of excitement within us. Habits that are life-changing, like exercise, meditation and reading should be held in higher regard and elevated to an art form. How could you bring more of yourself to reading and make it a central part your life?
Here’s an extra tip for parents who want their kids to develop a reading habit:
9. Start young. If you have children, start them reading as young as possible. A simple story time at night before lights out is something you can both enjoy, and it’s the perfect way to spark their interest in books. As they grow, encourage them to explore both fiction and non-fiction themselves. If they catch the bug early, reading will last their entire lives.
Reading is such a powerful habit that it can change the individual and the collective. Just think of how much better the world would be if we all ditched the tat and got into the good stuff – meaningful reading that expands the mind and awakens the spirit. Wouldn’t that be something?
If you need a few ideas on what to read next, take a look at our list of recommended books.