5 effective strategies to read more despite a busy schedule
How to read more and finish your book even if you don't have much time in a day
You might read this while having a busy schedule.
So, let’s jump right into it:
1. Prioritize reading time.
This is my favorite strategy to read more, even if I don’t have time to have a reading session.
Find a specific time during your day where you can read for even a little bit. It’s okay if you can only read for 15, 10, or even 5 minutes. The key is to grab that opportunity to read.
For example, if you are taking a break from your work, you can read for 5 minutes. The key to reading more is not about how long you read in one session, but how you can prioritize reading in every small chunk of time you have.
This could be added up consistently to build the habit of reading.
Then, what you don’t realize is that you have already finished reading your book in a week.
2. Carry your book, even if you don’t read it.
Just carry it.
You don’t have to read it if you don’t want to.
The key here is to just make your mind aware that you have a book by your side. Make yourself aware that you are a reader and that you bring books everywhere.
Then, the more you do it, you will start to gain the confidence to start reading.
You start to love reading and make it a part of yourself. This actually connects to the previous tip about prioritizing. Things that we prioritize most are those that give us the most happiness.
Well, if reading could bring you happiness, then it would be easy to prioritize it.
If you don’t, start small again by carrying your book everywhere.
3. Use audiobooks.
Just like listening to podcasts, audiobooks could be a great way to read more.
I recommend doing this, maybe when you are cleaning your room or walking. If you have time to really sit down and read, I suggest doing that rather than just listening to audiobooks.
But there’s another way you can do it, which is to listen to audiobooks while reading. It depends on you to decide which one is comfortable for you.
I don’t really enjoy audiobooks for now, but I’m still trying to get used to them.
4. Set realistic goals.
Rather than aiming for perfection, aim for progress.
Having realistic goals helps you gain the confidence to read more. Breaking down your reading into manageable goals can make it less daunting and more enjoyable. Remember that reading should be enjoyable and not a chore.
So, whenever you find yourself reading like a chore, you might need to breakdown the goals.
This help you enjoy reading more even if it’s a small one session.
5. Minimize distractions
This is what most people are confused about when starting to read.
It’s not about your lack of focus.
Sometimes, you are distracted a lot.
Just imagine this scenario: you read in a room where your dog wants to play with you, music is playing out loud, and you haven’t finished your homework. But you are still forcing yourself to read.
Then you failed to focus, and you started blaming yourself for your lack of focus.
Well, it’s obvious the problem is not because of your lack of focus.
It’s because you are in a room full of distractions.
Sometimes, I can’t write for about 90 minutes if it’s not comfortable and hard to focus. I let myself write for about 60 minutes. It’s okay and not wrong at all.
Just be easy on yourself.
Imagine if you are in a room, perhaps with classical music, and then you sit down in your comfortable chair and start reading.
Well, it would be a pretty easy task to read. So, whenever you find it hard to read more, it might be that you are in a distracted area.
It would be a daunting task to force yourself to read during your lunch break when it’s crowded. Well, that doesn’t mean it’s impossible to read.
You can still read, but it just takes much more energy to focus on what you read.
You can read wherever and whenever you are.
Even if you are busy, don’t see it in a day.
See it in a week. If you can’t read today, you still have tomorrow to read. Find what’s the best time for you to read, minimize distraction, and read as small as you can.
This doesn’t only help you to read more with a busy schedule, but it also helps you to love reading even more.
But if you still find it hard to make reading your daily habit, you can access the Mastery of Reading course. It has an implementation guide, a step-by-step guide, and a free consulting call.
It will be released next week; stay tuned!
“The more that you read, the more things you will know. The more that you learn, the more places you’ll go.”
― Dr. Seuss, I Can Read With My Eyes Shut!
Essential Resources for Your Journey 📚
30-day Simple Habit Tracker (Free) | Download Here
Track Your Daily Habits with Customizable MonthsLife-changing Blueprint (Free) | Download Here
How to Change Your Life with Implementation GuideMy Booknotes (Free) | Download here
Understand What You Read with Implementation Guide