Have you Set Your Goals for Reading in 2017?

Maybe it’s the voice of your 10th grade Lit teacher echoing in your memories. Or the “readers are leaders” quote you once heard that haunts you. Or the guilt you feel when you hear someone else talk about the book they just finished. Or, maybe it’s the fear of missing out on what everyone else is reading and talking about. In fact, I’d venture to guess that the chances are pretty high that you’ve said to yourself, at least once, that you need to read more. Even without my riveting post of reasons to read from last week {wink}, you instinctively know that you should be reading more. But you’re not. Maybe you’re too busy to read a book or you’ve just had trouble getting attached to one. Let me take this opportunity to share a few tips to help you schedule-in your reading so that you actually get it done and enjoy it.

1. Choose your books. Ask yourself, what type of reading is best for me? What are your reasons for reading? Do you want to read historical fiction and get lost in a story? Is your reading spiritual or inspirational in nature? Do you want to read to learn a new work skill or address an issue in your personal life? What books have others read that have you intrigued? Every genre has its own value and might find its place on your list. But, only you can answer that question for your life and schedule. Your reading goals might be influenced by your other goals for 2017. Personally, I like a blend of practical, inspiring, and thought-provoking books that help me grow. Sometimes I read just for enjoyment, so works of fiction are sprinkled into my book diet as well.
2. Set a goal. What’s a good goal? Like all goals, this is somewhat personal because what works for one person’s stage of life, might not work for another. Your reading goals should fit with your life but still be a bit of a stretch. For examples, if you are reading one book each month now, add another. Remember though, the goal is not to just power through titles so you can check them off a list. It is about thinking and reflecting on what you’ve read. Did it change a way you think or feel? Would the book be of value to someone else? How might you act on what you’ve learned or share it?
3.  Make time. No time? No problem. You’re not alone. Most of us feel overwhelmed already. Why not start by just taking 10 minutes per day? One of the most influential books I’ve read in the last year was Hal Elrod’s Miracle Morning. In it, he suggests that it takes approximately 10 minutes to read 10 pages. If you read just 10 minutes per day, that’s an average of 300 pages per month. That translates to approximately 18 books/year! Even if you skip some days and only get through 15 books, that’s probably a significant jump in the number of books you’re currently logging in a year – in just 10 minutes a day! As well, thanks to our modern era, you can make a book portable and go audio. Have a smart phone? You have a library with you all the time. What has helped me read even more is that I can even double-up activities and listen to a book on Audible while doing something else. You’d be amazed how getting involved in a great book will extend the time you want to spend working out at the gym or doing a more mundane task like housework or yardwork. And, don’t forget about the time spent in the car. What a way to redeem your daily commute!
4. Be intentional and keep track. Don’t just leave it to chance. As with most endeavors, you need to set measurable goals. These can be daily, weekly, or monthly. They can be centered around number of pages read or number of books. You can even create a specific list of books that you want to read in 2017 and work backwards with those specific books in mind. With those goals in hand, create some accountability. Whether formal or informal, if you read/learn something great, share it with others. This can be in the form of a journal entry or a book group discussion or just along the way as you go about life with family and friends. Studies show that your retention will increase as you discuss the content with others. And, with that greater retention, the likelihood increases that it will find its way into the fabric of your life!

Do you struggle to fit reading into your schedule? What do you do to make it happen? In the comments, please take a moment to let me know what works for you!