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Today, Victoria talks about the three things you must know to start and maintain a reading habit plus practical tips to help you take action.  So if you’ve wanted to start a reading habit, read more consistently or maintain a habit, I think you will find this episode helpful.

TOPICS COVERED IN THIS EPISODE:

• Why you should start a reading habit.
• Changing your mindset.
• Popular myths about reading.
• Making reading a commitment.
• Surrounding yourself with books and readers.

Start A Reading Habit: The 3 Things You Must Know

So before we get into the three things you must know to start and maintain a reading habit, let’s talk about why you should start a reading habit.

Why you should start a reading habit.

I firmly believe that reading changes lives, minds, and the world, and I also believe there is a reader inside everyone.  

Inside the pages of books, you can find motivation, inspiration, enlightenment, or just pure escapism, because books can move us in ways beyond the words written in them.  But many adults often don’t realize that reading can offer several benefits that can help enhance their quality of life.  From improving mental well-being to promoting self-discovery, providing a sense of accomplishment, increasing your empathy and understanding of different perspectives to helping you manage stress and combat depression, reading offers countless rewards and can be incredibly beneficial.

RELATED:

• 20 Life-Changing Benefits of Reading Books

NUMBER ONE: To start a reading habit or maintain a habit long-term, you must change your mindset and leave all your misconceptions about reading at the door.

It might seem daunting to aspiring readers or readers who haven’t read in years to start a reading habit. However, before starting and maintaining a sustainable reading habit, you must change your mindset and leave all your misconceptions about reading at the door.

When it comes to reading, there are no rules.  Reading isn’t a race, and it’s not a competitive sport; there are no rules. So give yourself permission to read what you want in whatever format is most convenient or comfortable.

POPULAR MYTHS ABOUT READING 

• To start and maintain a reading habit, you need dedicated, uninterrupted time to read your books.  This is FALSE!  You don’t need large chunks of time to read.
• Reading books is only for super smart, genius-level people.  This is FALSE!  Books are written for everyone to enjoy.
• It would help if you had a college degree to understand, interpret, and appreciate the book.  This is FALSE!  Many people who have never even stepped foot in a university have read and enjoyed books.  All you need is an interest in the subject matter.
• Books are dry and dull.  FALSE!  Yes, some books can be dense and challenging, but they can also be incredibly rewarding.  Focus on the books that have subject matters that are of interest to you.
• I’m not a real reader if I read “X book.” FALSE!  You can read whatever you want, whenever you want, and as much or as little as you want, and you’re still a reader.

NUMBER TWO: To start a reading habit or maintain a habit long-term, you’ll need to make reading a commitment and, if necessary, put it on your calendar.

When you’re starting a new reading habit, you’ll need to make a reading commitment and, if necessary, put it on your calendar.  Making this commitment will help you get into a routine, and over time it will become second nature.  

Start by committing to read for 30 minutes every day.  Then, find a part of your day when you can read.  It could be on your commute, before bed, or between work commitments or meetings.  Don’t forget to capitalize on breaks and free time during the day.  Instead of scrolling through social media, pick up your book.

NUMBER THREE: To start a reading habit or maintain a habit long-term, surround yourself with books and readers.  

Find the people who are avid readers in your life and surround yourself with books and readers.  Always have more books than you intend to read on hand because it will encourage you to read more. 

Plus, the enthusiasm from readers is infectious, and the way they talk about reading and books can motivate you to read. 

If you don’t know any readers or are afraid of being overwhelmed, you have a home here with the BiblioLifestyle community and me!

NEXT STEPS:

• Take the What’s Your Reader Type? Quiz and discover your reader type and get the resources you need to start reading, maintain the habit, and get intentional.