Podcast Summary
Practical tips for making reading a consistent habit: Set achievable goals, create a comfortable reading environment, use tools like audiobooks and e-books, make reading a social activity, and find enjoyment in the process.
Finding joy and improvement in life can come from various sources, including reading. However, despite the benefits, many people struggle to make reading a consistent habit due to distractions and competing priorities. NPR's Life Kit episode on reading offers practical tips to help overcome these challenges, such as setting achievable goals, creating a comfortable reading environment, and utilizing tools like audiobooks and e-books. Additionally, the episode emphasizes the importance of making reading a social activity and finding enjoyment in the process. Support for NPR and the Life Kit podcast comes from Whole Foods Market, encouraging listeners to host a budget-friendly celebratory brunch using their affordable yet high-quality offerings. So, consider donating to your local public radio station to keep the helpful advice coming and make time for reading, a simple yet impactful way to enhance your life.
Encouraging Comfortable Reading: Prioritize reading as a pleasurable activity, set goals, create a routine, and find a comfortable pace to enhance your reading experience.
Reading at your own pace and finding enjoyment in it is more important than striving for speed. Lynn, a book critic, shares her experience of not being a speed reader but encouraging others to read comfortably. She also acknowledges the competition of other forms of entertainment, like television, but advises reading in the morning as a potential solution to increase reading time. Another expert, Kevin Nguyen, reads an average of 100 books a year and emphasizes the importance of setting reading goals and creating a reading routine. Overall, the key takeaway is to prioritize reading as a pleasurable activity and find a routine that works best for you.
Make reading a routine part of your day: Integrate reading into daily life by scheduling it, reading on phone during commutes, or having a book readily available to make the most of little pockets of time.
Making reading a regular and convenient habit is key to consuming more books. Kevin emphasizes that the hardest part about reading is just opening the book, and it's easy to get distracted by daily life. To overcome this, he suggests making reading a more integrated part of your routine, even if it means reading on your phone during commutes or waiting in lines. By treating reading as a scheduled activity, you can make the most of the little pockets of time in your day. Additionally, having a book or audio book readily available can help you make the most of these moments. Kevin also encourages rethinking your relationship with your phone, suggesting that reading a few pages instead of scrolling through social media or news can be a more productive use of your time.
Maximizing Reading Experience: Reading various types of books, tracking progress, and utilizing time effectively can enhance your reading experience.
Matching the type of book to the amount of time available and reading multiple books at different speeds can enhance your reading experience. Reading novels, nonfiction, or even comic books can provide different textures and demands on your attention. Utilizing short commutes or waiting times to read lighter material can save heavier books for when you have more time. Tracking your reading, whether through notes on your phone, Goodreads, or social media, can provide a sense of achievement and momentum. Reading is like CrossFit for your brain, and tracking your progress can encourage continued growth. Accept that not every book will capture your full attention, and it's okay to move on if a book isn't engaging.
Start Your Day Right with Reading: Reading in the morning sets a positive tone, utilizes spare time, chooses the right book, and tracks progress for enjoyment and motivation.
Reading is a valuable and flexible habit that can be easily incorporated into daily life. First, reading in the morning can set a positive tone for the day. Second, reading during in-between moments, such as commuting or waiting in line, can make the most of spare time. Third, choosing the right book for the amount of time available can make reading a more enjoyable and achievable goal. Lastly, tracking reading progress can provide motivation and momentum. Don't be discouraged if progress is slow or if a book isn't finished in a week. It's okay to take breaks and pick up where you left off. For book recommendations, check out NPR's Book Concierge. Remember, the goal is to enjoy the process and the benefits of reading, not to feel pressured or resentful about unfinished books. Happy reading!
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