“Where am I to find the time to read Marguerite? There are only 24 hours in the day, and I feel that I need at least 30 to do all the things I have to do now, much less read.”
That’s the refrain of most of my clients. In over 10 years of coaching, I have only ever had 1, yes ONE client who has a consistent, vibrant reading habit. Indeed, we often start our calls sharing what we are each currently reading. The other 99% of my clients bemoan that they don’t read enough, or at all. Some don’t like reading, but most used to read avidly with enjoyment. They are not alone: many years ago, I came upon a statistic reporting that the typical corporate executive has over 230 hours of work backlogged. Yet, articles on the importance of leaders reading are legion. Here we have something that we enjoy, is critically important for our growth and development, but just doesn’t happen. How can we change this?
First, acknowledge that you already read (you are reading my blog right now, thank you). And you read throughout the day – reports, emails, magazines, blogs, etc. You also get important information through listening to podcasts, webinars, audio books and watching TV. When you bemoan that you are not reading enough, what’s missing? For most, it’s books. Interestingly, print books are still more popular than eBooks. I suspect that the tactile and even olfactory nature of paper is an important part of the reading experience that’s missing with reading on devices. You can’t curl up with an iPad!
In addition:
- “A reader lives a thousand lives before he dies, said Jojen. The man who never reads lives only one.” ― George R.R. Martin, A Dance with Dragons. Books provide immersive experiences by taking you deeper into a topic, stimulating you to absorb, ponder and analyse the “plot”. whether fiction or non-fiction.
- Reading books helps you to focus. When you read, vs. listening or watching something, you can’t multi-task. For example, I walk my dog Sushi whilst listening to podcasts or audiobooks, but I can’t walk her and read.
- “The more that you read, the more things you will know. The more that you learn, the more places you’ll go.” – Dr. Seuss. Reading gives you a break from your current reality as you enter the author’s world. You see things from a different perspective, which opens your mind to new possibilities. Think of reading as a micro-vacation from the busyness of your life.
How can you read more? I have been through many a slump of not reading as much as I would like. Here are 5 tips that have helped me and my clients get back on track with this most enjoyable pursuit:
- Get into the rhythm of reading by making it a daily habit. Devote time in your morning and/or evening routine. You may even try scheduling it in your calendar. Reading a book is embedded in the flow of my morning ritual – first yoga, then meditation, coffee, journaling, and finally, reading.
- Have a comfortable, pleasant spot in your home for reading. Over time, your brain will associate this space with it, thus reinforcing your new habit.
- Set a goal – either a certain number of pages, or a time goal e.g., 10 minutes per day. You will be amazed at how quickly you complete a book by just reading a chapter per day.
- Find or create community – join a book club or have a reading buddy. Read with your children or partner, each just sitting quietly, reading whatever they choose.
- Be intentional about what you read – select your books carefully, based on reviews and referrals. And don’t think you HAVE to finish the book – if you are not enjoying it, put it down! It’s not for you at this time. Find another book. Remember: you are doing this for enjoyment, not penance.
TAKE ACTION NOW – go to the bookshelf of your numerous “wish-I-had-the-time-to-read” books, choose one and read the first chapter today. Repeat tomorrow, the next day and the next.
Similar blogs by Marguerite:
How to choose your summer reading books
How CEOs Spend Their Time – How Do You Stack Up?
I was delighted by these tips! Although I already read an awful lot, I like that Marguerite is encouraging others to do so.
Like her, I have a structure for reading in the morning, but then again at night for my last waking hour or so. During the day, I read and write for my work in academia but the morning and nighttime spells are just for me.
Where did we get the idea that one must finish a book? When I think of all the time I wasted doing so before I realized this was not necessary – I could have read much more useful, entertaining or important matter.
(I do take exception to one point: I can and do curl up with my Kindle!)
I hope you can build in some good reading time too.
Thanks Julie. I would love to see how you curl up with a Kindle! Keep reading!
Your post had me laughing Marguerite. It’s as if you are reading my mind. I was in a team meeting on zoom recently and the first thing on the agenda was what were we reading? (point of reference – I work with an organization as a reading interventionist in an elementary school). I read with the students but personally haven’t read a book in a while because I tell myself I don’t have the time. My answer to my team that day was I am reading the Bible – the only book I read faithfully every day. However, I do read daily (in all the ways you mentioned). Since then, I have made the commitment to start reading books again and recently purchased a real book from Amazon. I say “real” because all the books I already own are loaded on my kindle. I read the previous comment by Julie and I am with her in that I DO curl up with my kindle. I prop up several pillows on the couch and bury myself in the story in the book – sometimes for hours because I will read to the end of the book! This is probably the reason I haven’t read in a while because I don’t know how to pause, close the book and continue to read at another time! I have tried. I will tell myself I will stop at the end of a chapter, but if I am chomping at the bit to know what comes next, I will keep trying to end at the next chapter – and the next – until the next thing I know I am at the end of the book!
I hear you Eve – I have done quite a few all-nighters because I just couldn’t put down a book (always fiction of course). Non-fiction I take a chapter at a time. What “real” book did you buy?
Marguerite, I am guilty of pulling all-nighters for non-fiction as well, as I am intrigued by human thoughts and behaviors. I recently binge-watched a miniseries on HBO Max called The Staircase, and I had a lot of questions during each episode, and even more at the end of the last episode. I discovered that the man who went to prison for the crime had written a book about what took place, and I hoped to find some answers to my questions. I, however, only went ahead and purchased it after I read that 100% of the sales from the book go to charity (I do hope that is true).