How do you manage to read more books and develop a possible reading routine? I have already given you countless reasons for this in a separate article, Why reading books is so important. Among other things, it improves our communication, concentration, writing and empathy skills, as well as our general knowledge - and it provides a balance to our stressful everyday lives. The latter is actually responsible for the fact that we often have the feeling that we simply can't find the time to read.
In this article, I would therefore like to show you what you can do to read more books and significantly increase your daily or weekly reading time.
Here a short Overview in advance:
- Block reading times
- Find a reading partner
- Make reading list
- Improve reading speed
- Stack books visibly
- Exploit waiting times
- Apply for a library card
- Creating a reading-friendly atmosphere
- Prevent distraction
- Listen to audiobooks
- Reward yourself
- Internalize benefits of reading
12 tips - How do you manage to read more books?
Perhaps you know those moments when you buy a new book and plan to read it. But something came up again - and now it's sitting on the shelf unread. Let's put an end to this in future!
Now let's not take too long, so you can get straight to finding more time to read! Have fun with the following tips for your daily book rummage!
1. block out time for reading
Since you're reading this post right now, I'm assuming that your plan to read more books is now Priority has. That's good, because you need to block out a lot of external stimuli and free up your reading time. To do this, set aside a specific time each day (for example, one hour in the morning after getting up and one hour in the evening before going to bed) when you can read your Reader routine develop.
To be on the safe side, record the times in your Calendar and set an additional alarm as a reminder. After a few days/weeks, this will become a habit - I promise!
2. find a reading partner
If you read together with your partner or a friend, reading is twice as much fun! You don't even have to read the same book. It's fun to talk about the respective contents and listen to what the other person has learned from their book. At the same time, binding agreements motivate you to read regularly. This will also ultimately develop your reading routine.
3. make a reading list
I have a small digital list of books that I really want to read. I then tick them off one by one - and also write when I want to have read each book by. The Deadline makes the whole thing a - at least in my mind - binding challengewhich I naturally want to master. Then it's also just nice to see how you master one book after the other - and how the anticipation for the next one increases each time.
4. improve your reading speed
A lack of concentration, unrhythmic reading, mental congestion and a lack of focus on key messages slow down your reading speed immensely. So gradually add more tips on "Speed Reading" around. For example, you can learn to recognize unimportant passages and skim them. In any case, these techniques will help you to read more books.
Tip: Even if the focus is on reading for fun, there is not always enough time to read all the books you want. In this case, book summaries (e.g. at Blinkist*) to consume the content faster and learn more.
5. stack your books visibly and check them off one by one
Once a book disappears into an obscure, dark drawer, it's gone forever... of course not! But at least you won't notice it so often anymore. A valuable tip for more frequent reading is therefore to place your books visibly in your home. That way, you'll remember to read them every day. If you stack them up, it will also be easier for you to "work through" them one by one and admire later what you have already "done".
6. always have a book with me to take advantage of waiting times
Of course, it doesn't hurt to switch off for a few minutes and simply do nothing. But reading books is something that has an extremely calming effect on us. So if you are once again Platform or at a Doctor's visit If you have to wait, take out your current book and just read it until it continues. This way, you can definitely use waiting times sensibly and without stress.
7. apply for a library card
Hundreds of thousands of books are available to us free of charge - not least in the library. That's why I can only advise you to get a library card. The also tempts you to borrow new books more often and read more. A very simple tip that will make it much easier for you to access new books.
8. create a reading-friendly atmosphere
If you want to read more books and whet your appetite for them, you should read the Reduce external stimuli to a minimum and create a reading-friendly atmosphere. For example, make sure that you have optimal light for reading and that background noise (e.g. construction site noise through the open window) is reduced as much as possible. If the time of year allows, you should ideally Outdoors in the most deserted nature possible read
9. eliminate things that distract you
In an environment full of stimuli, no one can concentrate fully on a book for long. The potential for distraction is simply too great. As an extension to a reading-friendly atmosphere, you should get rid of technical devices and other things that distract you. For example, by putting your Putting your smartphone in another room or not reading right next to your PlayStation. Also the Removing time-consuming smartphone apps (such as gaming) or canceling your Netflix subscription may be part of this.
Tip: Do you feel like you're addicted to your smartphone? Then treat yourself now to the most effective Tips against cell phone addiction!
10. also listen to books
There are times when even reading is too exhausting for you because you just want to be entertained. In such situations, you don't have to give up reading a book. Just make yourself comfortable on the sofa or in bed and listen to the audiobook version of your desired book.
You can download audiobooks here*
11. reward yourself for your increased reading time
If there's no other way, you'll have to give your willpower a little boost yourself with a sophisticated incentive system. Think about what else you feel like doing apart from reading, but only do this once you have achieved your goal of reading books for 10 hours a week, for example. Conversely, you can also punish yourself for not reading. But don't be too hard on yourself 😉.
12. make you aware of the benefits of reading
Do you want to read more books? Then I have the ultimate tip for you: realize why reading books is so important. Here are some reasons that should motivate you:
- More balance
- Improved ability to concentrate
- Increased general knowledge
- Better empathy skills
- More creativity and imagination
- …
There are so many more Arguments in favor of reading. I have listed and explained them all in the linked article. I'm willing to bet that you'll be incredibly motivated to read every day as a result.
Use the tips for daily reading to develop yourself personally
Do you want to increase your reading time and find time to read books regularly? Then put your personal development in the foreground and superfluous, time-consuming activities in the background. I hope that I can help you develop a certain reading routine with these tips.
Do you have any questions or suggestions about this post? Then feel free to write me a comment.
Stay inquisitive,
PS: Distraction from smartphones and the like not only keeps us from reading but also from working. Learn now how to work effectively in a home office.
