It’s no secret that I read a lot.
Last year I set a goal of 60 books, reached it in November so I increased my goal to 70 and made it! Shew 🙂
This year my goal is 65 – I was ahead in Jan with 8 books but am nearly done with number 3 for Feb.
People ask me this question a lot – how do you find time to do all the reading you do? These are the things I do:
prioritise my reading
It’s very important to me to read and to read for pleasure, not just to learn something. I read every night before bed, at least 30 minutes, but I plan to read for about 45 – 60 minutes. This is usually when I read fiction. It’s easy for the time to pass when you’re reading something that sweeps you away.
use any time I can find to read – whether 5 or 55 minutes 🙂
If I have a 5-minute gap, I’ll grab a book. Even if I can just read a few pages, it’s worth it to me.
have a system – I mostly read non-fiction when I only have short gaps and fiction when I have more time available.
I really don’t like being interrupted when I’m reading fiction which is why that’s night-time reading for me. I find it’s more efficient to know my go-to book than to waste a few precious moments thinking, “ummm, what should I read?”
set reading goals
This sounds really boring to some people but it works for me. See, my personality is such that I’m not a natural relaxer. There is ALWAYS something else I could be doing – cleaning, organising, tidying, rearranging, etc.
So my reading goal is 5 books a month. I can get through 4 without any trouble just doing the nightly reading routine but having that 5th book on the list forces encourages me to set aside weekend time to also read. I even put my reading on my to-do list so I feel extra accomplished 🙂
involve the kids
It doesn’t always work but involve the kids as much as you can. I’ll tell mine to bring their books (real old-fashioned books) and come read with me on the bed.
That’s it.
No great secrets – just prioritise, have a system and be consistent with your goals.
How do you make the time to read?
PS I don’t watch TV but I do unpack, re-pack and choose clothes while the Bold and the Beautiful’s on in the evenings (20 minutes) 🙂
[…] The last time I wrote about making time for reading I also had a pic of a Sheila O’Flanagan […]