Reading a good book is one of life’s great pleasures. However, even for those of us who absolutely adore reading, the stresses and obligations of modern life often leave us with much less time to read than we would like. If you aren’t exactly passionate about books then it can be difficult to muster the willpower to find something you enjoy, and then to set aside the time to actually enjoy it.
The good news is that, no matter how dire your own individual reading situation might seem, there are some really simple things that you can do in order to greatly improve your reading habits. At the end of the day, reading is a habit, and like all habits, the more you do it the more automatic it will be. Whether you are hoping to rekindle a dormant passion, or you’re a new convert to the religion of the bookworm, these simple tips will help you get into the habit of reading regularly and with purpose.
Make Time
This is the most important tip, but for many people it is also the hardest one to follow. You should aim to set aside some time specifically for you to read in and try to make sure that you use that time to read every day. You don’t need to choose a specific time of the day to do it (although many people find that helpful), instead you can decide that you are going to read last thing before bed, or even first thing in the morning. If you make these times that you read, no matter what, then you will quickly find it becoming another part of your daily routine.
Always Have Something to Read
Whether it’s a book, a newspaper, a magazine, or even a digital screen, try to always have something on you to read. E-readers such as Amazon’s Kindle, have made it possible to carry literally thousands of books around with you at any given time. If you own a smartphone then there is a Kindle app you can use to read books on the go. However you prefer to read, and whatever you prefer to read, if you try to always have something suitable with you, and read it when the moment arises, you will find that not only does it become easier to make yourself read, but you will be able to read at a much faster rate.
Read Different Things
Anything that you enjoy reading is worth reading. You don’t have to constantly have your head buried in the latest literary fiction in order to reap the benefits of reading. Whether you are reading Pride and Prejudice, or the latest news from middaydaily.com you will still be benefiting from the act. You therefore shouldn’t be afraid of experimenting with different reading options. If you’re having trouble finding any books which really appeal to you, then try reading some magazines or special interest sites instead.
No matter how old you are, or what your interests are, somewhere out there is the perfect book for you, you owe it to yourself to try and find it! Reading shouldn’t be a chore, and if you persevere with it, it soon won’t be.
