Amidst immediate entertainment accessibility, our attention spans are decreasing by the minute. Why read a book, or a lengthy article when you can easily gain “just as much” insight from a short, sixty second video?

Depending on the context, whether it be educational, or, more likely, for purely entertainment purposes, a video is quick and easy, but consequences stack up. Time slips away and before you know it, an hour has gone by. What do you gain? A small, forgettable quick memory out of sixty minutes– 3,600 seconds of your day. 

Just like anyone, I get glued to any electronic device and get lost in the widespread content of hilarious videos, aesthetically pleasing photos, and news about the latest celebrity. But I also value the power and insight writing can give us. Through this, even if just for a fraction of the day, we can make time for ourselves in a different fashion than a menial time waster. 

And, while I’ve predominantly addressed the category of folks who would like to shift their free time into something more productive, I also want to acknowledge those who have extremely busy schedules, who eventually turn their focus to more demanding responsibilities. If there’s anything I can convey through this article, it’s that if you value wanting to take more time for yourself and are willing to adjust your usual routine, you are absolutely capable of making time for additional activities like reading. 

Tips For Success:

1. Make A Plan & Break It Up

Take a look at your schedule this week. Gage the amount of free time you have each day and when that is. Instead of cram reading one-hundred pages in a couple hours only to pick it up six days later, make a goal of a number of pages to have read by specific days.

       2. Take A Little Time

They say it takes thirty days to form a habit, right? Or was it a little over two months? Anyway, staying consistent in completing any goal requires tenacity. To truly learn from a book, you need to know what you’re actually reading. Just make sure to devote at least a small amount of time if not every day, then every other day, to reading. 

       3. Treat It A Little Like A Fun Project

Set a goal for yourself. There’s twelve months in a year, try to read at least one book a month. Treat it like another fun assignment. Except you’re actually feeling good about yourself and being proactive. 

       4. Reach For A Short Page Number

Since you’re just getting back into reading, don’t start off with a book that’s 400+ pages. Reach for something shorter that will keep you engaged.

       5. Pick Something That Interests You, Whatever That Is

Pick a book that’s of interest to you. This will make it easier to keep up with a daily goal. 

       6. Read Wherever & Whenever You Can

Places you can read: bed, couch, bus, Uber, passenger seat of a car, a library, toilet, bath, cafe, park, beach, bookstore, hammock, lawn chair, salon, while eating, at a sports game, or my personal favorite, in a silent low-light, gothic horror style room to pretend you’re a character is Oscar Wilde’s The Picture of Dorian Gray. 

       7. Audiobooks

Not all of us have the luxury to sit on the passenger side. If so, before you travel, pull up an audiobook off of Audible, Spotify, or a platform that works for you. Enjoy listening to stories while you drive. 

Reading is good for the brain, reduces stress, expands your vocabulary, introduces you to new approaches to solving a problem, encourages critical thinking and can make you a more focused person.

If you work to incorporate reading into your life, the benefits will be worthwhile.