How to Make Time For Reading on a Busy Schedule

We all have been there. Reading is universally regarded as one of the greatest pleasures that mankind has ever invented and everybody these days seems to recommend huge reading lists to everyone. But, in this busy life of ours, we hardly seem to have time for our day to day tasks, let alone time for reading. I'm a hardcore bookworm and nerd and have always found solace in reading. I've spent hours in the close comfort of a book, and in no time, books became my best friends. As a result, I'm also the one who can't stop ranting about books to everyone I meet because honestly, I don't think the world would be a better place till everyone is a reader ;-) Hence, I've got some super simple ways which will help you make time for reading on a tight schedule and to cultivate the habit of reading so that in no time, books will become your close companions and reading will be a delight! • Initially, when starting to read, it is important to choose the right book which will help to sustain your interest and reading wouldn't seem such a chore. Start with anything simple, most probably fiction since it is a bit more intriguing. There are these bestsellers which everyone seems to hype about and certainly, they might live up to the hype but chances are that they might be too complex for new readers. It is important not to force anything. I strongly believe that reading should always be guided by our passion and not by our pretentiousness. Hence, choosing the right book becomes very important. (New blog coming up on the best books for beginners) • There is this one rule that I absolutely swear by. I call it the 'One Minute Rule'. This also works for any habit that you wish to form, including the habit of reading. What this means is that, when you initially pick up a book, don't set heavy deadlines for yourself and don't force anything. The one minute rule says that if you have to do anything, do it for just one minute. If you wish to read, start with reading one page a day. Instead of going weeks together with no progress, at least this way you will be able to get something done. And chances are that you won't just stop at a page, and would end up reading a lot more. Because generally, it is just about overcoming the mental block and starting. • Another way could be to utilize the so-called 'empty spaces' in our lives. Empty spaces refer to those unproductive moments where you are not getting anything done. It may be while you're commuting, waiting for someone or are having some free time at hand. This is one good time to pick up a book and utilize such idle moments in the day. • Also, this is something that I've personally experienced and it has helped me immensely. It is the habit of always carrying a book with me wherever I go. One can always find either a physical copy or my Kindle in my bag, no matter wherever I am. It has helped me to get a lot more reading done because otherwise, our minds find the excuse and the justification to put off reading just because we don't happen to have a book with us at that moment and we tend to procrastinate a lot more this way. This habit also helps one to effectively utilize the 'empty spaces' as cited above. • I find reading at bedtime as the best time to do so. Not only is it the perfect way to wind down before bed for me, but also it gives you a good night's sleep (at least better than scrolling through Instagram at night :). Also, it makes my day a tad bit better because just the thought of having a good book waiting for me at the end of the day is enough to give me tremendous joy as well as something to look forward to. So, that was it! This is what I feel can help everyone squeeze in a little time for reading no matter how busy they are. In the end, it is just about starting well, and with a teeny tiny bit of effort, books will be your best buddies in no time and you will have discovered the most pleasurable of pastimes! Love, ~A.