Many people have good intentions when starting books, but they can quickly lose their motivation when they receive notifications on their phones or have busy days. More often than not, motivation isn’t the problem. Building strong habits that will make reading a part of your life is where most people experience challenges.
Building small and simple rituals around your reading time will help you establish routines that create joy and focus. The article below will provide you with practical habits that can help you focus on reading longer, enjoying your books, and making reading part of your routine.
- Build a Reading Routine that Incorporates Cues
The best way to create a reading routine is to associate reading with something that you are already doing every day. Incorporating cues will provide a signal to your brain that it is time to read.
You could use the cue of having a cup of coffee, ten minutes after breakfast, or right before bed to begin your reading time. The specific cue does not matter as much as the consistency with which you use it.
Over time, your mind begins to link that event to the act of reading. Your actions will become more conditioned and habitual, such that when you want to read a book, you won’t need any additional motivation to pick it up.
- Associate Reading with a Small Reward
Associating a fun activity with reading increases your motivation to continue reading. You can create your own tiny treats that let you know that reading time is more than just reading.
Some people enjoy making their tea or coffee before they read, lighting a candle, or selecting an ideal place to sit while reading. Enjoying delicious chocolates after finishing a reading session can make the reading ritual more rewarding
- Set Small Goals
When you try to read a whole chapter per day, you will likely be overwhelmed, especially on days when you are busy. Using smaller goals helps keep the reading experience pleasurable. Instead of focusing on large milestones you need to come up with goals like:
- Reading for 10 minutes
- Completing five pages
- Finishing one small section
Smaller victories can accumulate rapidly, allowing you to maintain a consistent reading habit. They also allow you to remove pressures that can result in reading seeming more like work than a pleasure.
- Simple Annotation Systems Can Make Reading Fun and Active
Actively engaging with your reading material can help improve focus and enjoyment of the overall reading experience. Using a simple method of annotating your text allows you to become involved with the article on a deeper level.
You don’t have to use an elaborate system. Observant readers mark their text with various styles of permanent ink-based markers. Examples include underlining significant ideas, placing stars next to important ideas, or writing notes in the margins of the text.
If you prefer to keep your books clean and unmarked, you can use post-it notes or a small notebook as alternatives. Here you can jot down key concepts or favorite quotes, allowing you to easily reference your thoughts.
- Schedule Device-Free Reading Windows
Immersive reading is challenged by continuous distractions brought on by your phone and its notifications. Even the briefest of glances at your phone can interrupt your flow towards focused reading.
Using short windows of time without electronic devices will help significantly. For example, your phone can remain in another room for a designated 20 minutes of exclusive reading. At the moment, reading is the only thing that requires your attention.
Transforming Rituals into Habits
Rituals for reading are most effective when they can be repeated with ease every day. Tracking your reading as you incorporate the above rituals can introduce interest into your newly formed habit.
Many readers keep track of their reading streak by journaling or via applications. Observing how your consistency continues to build over time provides an added layer of fun and serves as motivation.