How can I read more?

Developing a personal practice for a richer reading life

I’ve always loved to read. At HBR, around a decade ago, I wrote a short series on reading as a core leadership characteristic (and even on the benefits of poetry for professionals). And I’ve long gotten immense joy from reading—fiction, social psychology, history, biography, and everything in between.

But even as someone who loves to read, I find it increasingly difficult to stay in the habit, particularly of reading serious, more difficult books that take time, effort, and concentration. Like so many of you, I have a job, kids, and a host of other obligations that take precedence over immersing myself in a great book. And such immersion is particularly challenging in a world where our attention spans are shrinking and digital distraction is at an all-time high.

In that context I often get asked: How can I read more? Here are a few thoughts:

1. Read for fun: Often people who have fallen out of the habit of reading feel the need to get into “serious” or professionally relevant books right away. That’s a positive impulse, and some of each of our reading should absolutely be dedicated to complex works, those that challenge us, and those that enhance our abilities. But if reading becomes “all work and no play” it will never become a habit. To make reading a consistent passion, we need to make some of our reading purely pleasurable. I enjoy biographies and novels, so I’ll often add a book to my stack that’s totally irrelevant to my work or personal improvement but seems fun or relaxing. Think of this not as a substitute for Shakespeare but for Netflix. If you begin to look forward to reading it will more likely become a habit. And once it’s a habit, the harder books will come easier, too.

2. Make it a reward: My most relaxing habit is going to the gym and listening to an audiobook while I work out. The combination of those two things helps me decompress from hard days and reset physically and mentally. I have friends who treat themselves to hot baths several times a week during which they read a good book. Others who read by the pool or listening to classically music. Crafting the right environment to make reading a reward can enhance its attractiveness.

3. Read with others: I’m a member of a men’s book club called Six Pillars, and I’ve commented previously on the benefits of book clubs. There’s something special about reading in a book group, whether virtual or in-person, or even just reading a book with one other friend. Doing so introduces both accountability and relationship to the act of reading, enhancing the joy we get from the exercise, the depth with which we read (because we’re preparing for a discussion), and the joy we experience in reading as we can associate it with the practice of building friendships.

4. Set annual goals: Each year I select a reasonable number of books I hope to read that year, and as the year progresses, I write down the titles and authors of each book I complete in my planner. In full transparency, that used to be 50 per year and now I typically shoot for 25. I have friends who set goals ranging from 12 to 100 books per year. But the practice of setting a goal and keeping track can be huge for personal accountability in your reading practice.

5. Commit to a daily habit: If goals are an “output” metric, daily habits are “input” metrics. Personally, I have a goal to read or write for 30 minutes each day. This may seem short, but I know it’s achievable in my schedule if I put my mind to it. And the aggregate impact of that habit is enormous. 30 minutes of reading each day will easily allow you to complete 15-20 books per year. And if you wonder whether you have 30 minutes, take one week to track the amount of time you spend on social media on your phone. If most people deleted socials from their phones (or put their phones away while home), a 30 minute daily reading habit would be quite achievable! And studies show that even short periods of reading can be beneficial for health and lower stress.

6. Don’t shy from audio, but don’t rely on it exclusively: Audio books are incredible. My most recent books—Miracles and The HBR Guide to Crafting Your Purpose—are on audio; and I have an Audible subscription that ensures I listen to at least 12 books per year. This is incredibly handy for “reading” while I’m driving or exercising, and I think developing a strong audio book habit is a great way to read more. But it’s not a complete substitute for traditional reading. I find that audio books are only appropriate for certain works—particularly novels and character driven narratives. But they are poor for many other types. And they don’t allow for the type of in-depth processing you can get holding a physical paperback and a highlighter and truly digging in. Make audio books a part of your habit but know they are not a full substitute for conventional reading.

7. Eliminate distractions: iPads and phones are typically bad tools for reading. I prefer physical books or ebooks on devices (like my Kindle) that have no email or notifications. And when I listen to audio books at the gym, I often turn on my “do not disturb” on my phone to make sure I’m not constantly tempted by my mobile notifications.

8. Post your reading publicly: Akin to reading in a group, posting your reading publicly can gin up relationship, accountability, and enjoyment. I find that it also forces me to be thoughtful about which books I read because I know I’m going to have to admit my list to others! Not all life should be lived in public, but sharing your reading on Goodreads, Facebook, or in other forums can be a great tool for reinforcing the habit.

Any other tips for developing an active reading life? Please post them in the comments and share with others. I think purposeful reading is a practice everyone would benefit from embracing. But developing that practice takes discipline, thoughtfulness, and time.

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