How to form an unbreakable reading habit:
Reading is the writer's shield.
To develop as writers, consuming inspiration through other writing is a non-negotiable.
But in today's world, distractions and excuses run rife.
So, let's look at how to build a reading habit that will elevate your writing to new levels:
To develop as writers, consuming inspiration through other writing is a non-negotiable.
But in today's world, distractions and excuses run rife.
So, let's look at how to build a reading habit that will elevate your writing to new levels:
1) Create A Reading List
You can't just dive into reading head first with no destination.
We read to evolve.
And how can you evolve with no destination in mind?
So, curate a reading list of books you want to tick off.
You can't just dive into reading head first with no destination.
We read to evolve.
And how can you evolve with no destination in mind?
So, curate a reading list of books you want to tick off.
I use an Amazon list as it's easy to maintain.
I can also order my next book when I'm nearly finished.
You can use your journal or a different app - whatever is easiest to track.
I can also order my next book when I'm nearly finished.
You can use your journal or a different app - whatever is easiest to track.
2) Defeat Your Hoarding
Did you know the Japanese have a term for when you buy books but never get round to reading them?
It's known as Tsundoku.
What happens is you end up with a pile of unfiltered knowledge.
Did you know the Japanese have a term for when you buy books but never get round to reading them?
It's known as Tsundoku.
What happens is you end up with a pile of unfiltered knowledge.
Books look incredible.
Owning large quantities of them make us feel like we'll get round to them one day.
But this is rarely the case.
So, only buy a book when you're ready to read something new.
Owning large quantities of them make us feel like we'll get round to them one day.
But this is rarely the case.
So, only buy a book when you're ready to read something new.
3) Ask For Recommendations
Form a group of friends that enjoy reading.
Then, you can pick their brains for recommendations.
If you find them talking about a concept you find fascinating, ask them if they have read any good material on the topic.
Add it to your list.
Form a group of friends that enjoy reading.
Then, you can pick their brains for recommendations.
If you find them talking about a concept you find fascinating, ask them if they have read any good material on the topic.
Add it to your list.
4) Sift Through Your Idol's Lists
If you're a fan of Hemingway, you should know he was influenced by Twain.
If you're a fan of Rowling, you should know she was influenced by Austen.
If you're a fan of McCarthy, you should know he was influenced by Faulkner.
If you're a fan of Hemingway, you should know he was influenced by Twain.
If you're a fan of Rowling, you should know she was influenced by Austen.
If you're a fan of McCarthy, you should know he was influenced by Faulkner.
Once you find a book you enjoy, plug the author's inspirations.
Find out who inspired them to write something that inspired you.
You can follow the chain backwards and spot patterns that you can bring forth in your own writing.
Find out who inspired them to write something that inspired you.
You can follow the chain backwards and spot patterns that you can bring forth in your own writing.
5) Decide Your Time
The 4 steps mentioned before all cover how to find material you want to read.
But now, we must nail down the habit.
The 4 steps mentioned before all cover how to find material you want to read.
But now, we must nail down the habit.
When can you read?
Well, if you work from 9-5, you won't find the time to concentrate then.
But what about your commute to work?
If you take the train or bus, this is perfect reading time.
Well, if you work from 9-5, you won't find the time to concentrate then.
But what about your commute to work?
If you take the train or bus, this is perfect reading time.
Maybe you have a family with 2 young kids who are up early.
So, maybe after you've put them to bed, you can use the quiet time to get a few pages in.
So, maybe after you've put them to bed, you can use the quiet time to get a few pages in.
Now, most people can't hold focus for 1 hour at first.
But, to form a reading habit, you don't need to.
10-15 minutes a day is a perfectly normal amount of reading time to start.
When you're getting into the swing of it, this will likely increase without resistance.
But, to form a reading habit, you don't need to.
10-15 minutes a day is a perfectly normal amount of reading time to start.
When you're getting into the swing of it, this will likely increase without resistance.
When you break down your schedule, I don't believe you can't find 10-15 minutes of your day when you don't have anything to do.
For me, I take 20-30 minutes before bed to wind down with whatever book I'm working through.
For me, I take 20-30 minutes before bed to wind down with whatever book I'm working through.
I've completed the day's tasks.
I won't be disrupted by friends messaging or calling.
It's a perfect way to relax yourself to sleep.
So, what time works for you?
I won't be disrupted by friends messaging or calling.
It's a perfect way to relax yourself to sleep.
So, what time works for you?
Here's what to do:
1. Write down your normal daily schedule
2. Spot any gaps where you have 10-15 minutes
3. Start by introducing these small reading sessions
4. Gradually build up to 20 minutes, 30 minutes and maybe even an hour
1. Write down your normal daily schedule
2. Spot any gaps where you have 10-15 minutes
3. Start by introducing these small reading sessions
4. Gradually build up to 20 minutes, 30 minutes and maybe even an hour
At the end of the day, the desire to read is not enough.
We live in a world with distractions as rich and juicy as the most delicious apple.
Reading isn't a high dopamine activity.
But it is a high fulfilment activity.
We live in a world with distractions as rich and juicy as the most delicious apple.
Reading isn't a high dopamine activity.
But it is a high fulfilment activity.
Finding the time to intake inspiration is a must if you desire to ascend your mind to new levels.
All it takes is a bit of planning and a bit of research.
Not a huge price to pay for wisdom, eh?
All it takes is a bit of planning and a bit of research.
Not a huge price to pay for wisdom, eh?
Thanks for reading.
If you enjoyed this one, follow me @TheWritersGift
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Have a wonderful day.
If you enjoyed this one, follow me @TheWritersGift
If you want to help spread the word, follow the link below and RT the first tweet
Have a wonderful day.
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