The #1 Way to Make 2018 YOUR year!
Read more. That’s it. This might sound overly simple but you’d be surprised how much you can change and what you can learn by adding in a few minutes each day for reading.
Personally, I’ve always loved to read and it’s been my favorite hobby since elementary school but maybe for you, getting started has been more of a challenge.
If that’s the case, here are 5 tips for getting started:
1. Only read books that interest you
Let’s face it. You might not have the same interests now that you had 5 years ago. Or, maybe your friends keep suggesting new books but you’re reluctant to get started because you know you don’t share the same interests. That’s ok. Or, maybe you haven’t finished a book in years so you don’t actually know what books you like now. This leads us to point 2.
2. Start adding books to your Amazon wish list
I know that not knowing what to read can be frustrating. To solve this, I try to have at least 10-50 books on my Amazon wish list at all times. If you do this, you’ll never find yourself without something to read. As you probably know, Amazon is great at making recommendations. So, start by typing in a favorite book or a book that sounds a least a little bit interesting. Then, see what Amazon recommends. This should give you a few books to start with.
3. Find an author, genre, or series and stick with it
Once you find an author or series that you love, then you can read everything by that author. Check back on the blog, as I will be writing a post in the future with some of my favorite series and authors. Sticking with a particular author is also nice because you are already familiar with the writing style and typically you don’t have to waste time wondering whether or not you’ll like the book.
4. Create a GoodReads account
GoodReads is sort of a social media platform where you can share what you’re currently reading, wanting to read, or have already read. You can also check out what your friends are reading and see summaries or reviews of books. I love using GoodReads as a source for finding new books and authors. I find that it’s also a fun way to keep track of what I’m reading each year. You can also follow other people with similar book interests for recommendations and suggestions.
5. Set aside time for reaching each day!
This is perhaps the most important point of all! For most things, if we don’t actually set aside the time to do it, it doesn’t happen. Whether it’s a few minutes while you’re eating breakfast in the morning, on your lunch break, or 15 minutes of novel reading before bed, make sure to set aside a specific time.
Think of it like this, if you can make time for 10-15 minutes of reading each day, that will likely add up to at least 1 book each month. And if you can’t remember the last book you actually finished…over the course of the year, that will be 12 books!
So, there you have it! I think reading is often overlooked in favor of fancy classes or programs. However, you can often learn the same information in a short period of time and at a much more affordable price, simply by reading a book.
Looking for more ideas? Here are a few past posts with great book recommendations:
Your Best Year Ever by Michael Hyatt
The Importance of Rest
10 Books I Can’t Wait to Read
The #1 Way to Make 2018 YOUR year!
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