Every year I try to set a goal of reading a certain number of books. This has been an effective way to challenge myself to read, to learn and to expand my understanding of the world. While this year my goal is 35 books, the most I’ve read in a year was around 52.
Why is reading so important to me?
When I was a teenager, a mentor instilled in me that if “you want to lead people, you need to read”. That simple, but powerful thought has stuck with me ever since.
The most common question I get is “how do you find time to read with your busy lifestyle?”
I get it. Most of us hit the ground running from morning to night, just trying to get things done. Who has time to sit down and read, let alone find a quiet moment to do so, even if we wanted to?
Here’s the secret. Every one of us has the same 24 hours available to us every day. How we spend those 24 hours depends on what is most important to us. We prioritize our time, either intentionally or unintentionally. If something is important to us, we will usually make the time to invest in it.
So if reading is something you want to invest more of your time in, here are a few ways to make that happen. Even for the busiest lifestyles.
Audio books
The Audible app might be one of my favorite creations. For a simple monthly fee you get access to millions of audio books. This has streamlined my ability to read. Instead of listening to music on the way to and from the office, I’m listening to a book. Any out of town traveling, I’m listening to a book. Plane ride? Perfect place to listen to a book. Gym? Morning run? All you need is your phone and ear buds.
Get bored sitting down to read a traditional book? Audio books are a great way to pass the time while staying on the move.
Read in Little Sips
When I was a kid, I used to love spending hours in my room reading novels. Now with six kids of my own, a farm and a full time job I don’t have that kind of luxury. So I had to learn how to read in little sips. 10 minutes here. 10 minutes there.
Every day offers several opportunities to take a sip out of your book. Sitting in the bathroom. Waiting for the bus or train. Riding on the elevator. Standing in line at the grocery store. Carry your book with you and you’ll notice more opportunities than you thought were available to find a few minutes to read. Think of it as an escape from the mundane art of waiting!
Read Widely on Things that Interest You
My kids will often tell me that reading is just too boring. Sadly, I know many adults who feel the same way.
Yes there are boring books out there. Don’t read those. Find something that interests you. Allow yourself to be challenged. When you read widely across different topics, you give yourself a platform to learn, to be entertained, and to open the horizons of your thought life. People who read widely have greater emotional intelligence and the ability to empathize with others. When you stimulate your mind, you awaken a keener interest in things outside of your normal experience. And that’s anything but boring.
Cut Out Other Media
Whenever someone tells me they just don’t have time to read, I quickly become a skeptic. The average person spends up to 4 hours on their smart device and 5 hours watching television per day. That’s a lot of time consuming outside media. What if we cut that number just by half and dedicated more time to reading? I think a lot of things in our culture would improve, mental health being one of them. Instead of scrolling mindlessly through your Facebook feed at night, consider dipping into a book. I bet you’ll sleep better if you did.
Make it a Priority
It’s pretty simple. People who make reading a priority will find the time to do it. You don’t have to read 52 books in a year. Start with 2. You’ll be happy you did. Besides, there’s something important about carving time out of each day for your own mental health, isn’t there? This might be one of those few times when it’s okay to be a little selfish.
Be well.
Sean David Ealy 