How To Build A Habit To Read A Book

Using the quote ‘Leading by example’ should not be merely used for showing off. You need to do what you do, consistently, and that’s when you get to use such a quote for yourself. Till then continue quoting others. 

I hear a lot from my friends and family that they want to ‘start’ something and they expect it to become a habit, automatically, just because they started it. Like starting to read a book. Well, starting anything is no rocket science, you can start reading a book, start cooking, start cleaning your wardrobe, start writing an article. All of us can start, no problems there. But can you sustain doing it consistently? Well, we all struggle with that. To continue doing what you have started requires will power. But we all know, it’s easier said than done. 

Am no inspirational guru but I have been there (struggled) and done that. Hence am writing this article to share my personal experiences, my mistakes and the things that worked out for me. Especially in starting to a read a book. 

I have become an avid reader only in the last decade and yesterday I completed 42 years on this planet. So age is surely no barrier to starting a new habit. 

Well, this success mantra has only 2 key aspects. 

• Discipline 
• Baby Steps. 

1. Find the right time that suits you and your family when you can be on your own and concentrate. 
2. We all know that the work from home culture is here to stay. You are saving a lot of time on commute, utilise it. 
3. Are you a morning person or a late night person? I have always been a morning person hence I picked up 6am as my go to time for reading a book. I love the time for such an activity. Frankly, am not sure if evenings and late nights are exciting enough for anyone to read a book. But you decide that for yourself. 
4. Try and try and try. It’s OK to not able to live upto this discipline immediately. We are not here for a short term agenda, we are building a habit for LIFE. It may take some time, cut some slack for yourself and don’t give up. 
5. I somehow do not enjoy reading a book at any other time. So if I miss my morning slot for any reason, I look forward to my next morning reading. 
6. Not sure if you are a tea person or coffee. But one of these surely helps in keeping me inspired. Reading a book, with my favourite cup of tea or coffee (am ok with either) keeps me engaged to the habit. It sure is a great catalyst. 
7. Do NOT aspire to do something that is not practical. Setting a aspiring target sounds cool but you fall quickly and fall hard. Like dedicating 3 hours for reading each day. You know it’s not possible, as you have morning chores to do and also needs to get ready for office work/ prepare for upcoming meetings. 

1. Are you even a book person? Have u tried reading articles, magazines, newspapers? Do you have the attention span or you just move on to watching some videos? 
2. Do not get into the peer pressure trap. Everyone around you in reading a book hence I want to start reading. This cannot be a reason to start. Move on. 
3. What are you interested in, what kind of subjects. This aspect is very critical. You need to be ready to spend hours every week into such areas, immersed in these million words. Pick up the kind of books you are truly interested in. 
4. Start small. Start with 30 minutes at best. Feel free to read just for 15 minutes or 15 pages whichever is faster and move on with your day. Increase the time and page target as per your comfort. 

Pick a hardcopy or do it on a kindle. Frankly, I was not OK with e-books but now I prefer e-books only. 

Three simple benefits of e-books:

1. You get to read a sample (approx. 10% of the book) instantly for FREE
2. You get to continue reading the full book instantly (no waiting for the delivery). 
3. Its much cheaper to buy an e-book than the physical one (surely 25% cheaper but at times the price difference goes as high as 50% !)

I keep a list of all the books I have read here > https://www.connectwithadi.com/2014/03/full-list-books-i-have-read.html 

I also try writing reviews of these books I read, but I do not succeed in doing so for all the books. You may find my book recommendation on LinkedIn or on my blog here (along with movie reviews). 

All the best to you. Happy Reading.