How To Create A Reading Habit Firstgenie

Bonisiwe Shabane

-Nov 1, 2025, 5:23 PM

how to create a reading habit firstgenie

Creating a reading habit is not only a great goal; it’s also a life-changing investment. Reading more helps reduce stress, improve vocabulary, strengthen the brain, and even boost social skills and empathy. The idea of building a reading habit may seem challenging at first, especially if you feel short on time. However, there are practical and accessible ways to make reading a daily activity, as natural as brushing your teeth or enjoying a cup of coffee. In this guide, you’ll find tips to incorporate reading into your daily life, from the types of reads you can choose to some tricks for integrating it into your daily routine, even with a... So, let’s dive in!

Before diving into practical techniques and advice, ask yourself what motivates you to create a reading habit. Do you want to relax, learn about specific topics, improve personal development, or simply enjoy the pleasure of reading? Defining a clear purpose will help you stay focused when motivation dips and will allow you to choose readings that add value. Write down why you want to read more and list some specific goals you’d like to achieve (like reading for at least 15 minutes daily or finishing one book per month). If you’ve been out of the reading world for a while, diving into a long book might not be the best idea. To avoid frustration and increase the likelihood of success, start with shorter reads that you can finish in a single session.

This post may contain affiliate links which means if you make a purchase through my links, I will get a small commission at no extra cost to you. I only recommend the products I love and trust. Wondering how to cultivate a reading habit? Forget diving into lengthy classics or accumulating unread books. Setting aside specific daily time helps, but it’s not the sole secret. I embraced books at 27, despite a non-reader past.

If you’re eager to start, here are my top tips for developing a reading habit. It’s not as challenging as it seems. Let’s dive into effective ways, and check out the recommended reading list in the blog post. Instead of diving into your first book impulsively, establish a routine that suits your daily life. If you have a busy schedule, integrate reading during your commute. Orkeep a book by your study desk if you’re a student.

Bedtime readers can place a book by their bed. Build a consistent habit by incorporating reading into your daily routine—find the time that fits best for you. The key question to ask is why you want to get into the habit of reading. Is it family pressure or the influence of book communities like Bookstagram or BookTok? Identify your personal motivation. For me, reading was genuinely enjoyable, and I yearned to learn about diverse people, places, and cultures.

Snuggling up with a book doesn’t require fancy furniture or expensive blankets. Find a comfy spot—mine’s the couch, and I recently added a reading chair for extra comfort. Whether it’s music or scented candles, discover what makes reading enjoyable for you. Personalize your reading space to create the perfect ambiance. Need inspiration? Check out reading nook ideas on Amazon.

James Clear is an author and speaker focused on habits, decision-making, and continuous improvement. His bestseller, Atomic Habits, focuses on reshaping the way you think about progress and success and gives you the tools and strategies you need to transform your habits. For more from James in his own words, read our interview with James Clear or start reading an excerpt of Atomic Habits here. Charlie Munger, the business partner of Warren Buffett and a billionaire himself, once noted, “In my whole life, I have known no wise people (over a broad subject matter area) who didn’t read all... Zero. You’d be amazed at how much Warren reads—and how much I read.

My children laugh at me. They think I’m a book with a couple of legs sticking out.” For anyone interested in earning more money or accumulating wisdom, developing a reading habit is a crucial task. In my latest book, Atomic Habits, I lay out a simple four-step framework for building better habits. I refer to these steps as The Four Laws of Behavior Change, and in this article, I’ll share ten simple and easy ways to use these laws to get in the habit of reading... Many of our habits and behaviors are simply reactions to the cues and prompts that fill our external environment.

You eat a cookie because you see a plate of them sitting on the counter. You play video games because the controller is sitting in the middle of the living room floor. The goods news is you can use this tendency to your advantage by making more obvious the cues that spark your reading habits. 1. When you make your bed each morning, place a book on your pillow. Add this little step to your morning routine: Wake up—make bed—place book on pillow.

This is an easy way to prime your environment for future reading. When you crawl in bed at night, there will be a book waiting for you in an obvious location, reminding you to read a few pages. Last Updated: March 21, 2025 Fact Checked This article was co-authored by Jai Flicker. Jai Flicker is an Academic Tutor and the CEO and Founder of Lifeworks Learning Center, a San Francisco Bay Area-based business focused on providing tutoring, parental support, test preparation, college essay writing help, and... Jai has over 20 years of experience in the education management industry.

He holds a BA in Philosophy from the University of California, San Diego. There are 9 references cited in this article, which can be found at the bottom of the page. This article has been fact-checked, ensuring the accuracy of any cited facts and confirming the authority of its sources. This article has been viewed 132,979 times. Reading is a wonderful habit to develop. It's a terrific boredom-buster, can improve your memory, and is fun for the whole family.[1] X Research source Start small to develop the habit by reading for just a few minutes a day.

Reading books that you enjoy and want to continue reading is a great way to maintain your habit and become a life-long reader. Do you love books but struggle with how to build a reading habit? Between work, family, and endless to-do lists, reading often takes a backseat. But what if I told you that you can build a reading habit—even with a packed schedule? Here’s how to make reading a daily joy without feeling overwhelmed! If you’re wondering how to build a reading habit, the key is to start small and stay consistent.

You don’t need hours to be a reader. Start with just 5–10 minutes a day—during breakfast, in the car (audiobooks count!), or before bed. Small steps lead to big habits! Even reading just a few pages a day can add up over time and help you develop a consistent routine. Keep a book in your bag, on your phone (hello, Kindle app!), or on your bedside table. When you have a few spare minutes, you’ll be more likely to reach for a book instead of scrolling on your phone.

Having easy access to a book ensures that reading becomes a natural part of your daily life. If a book feels like a chore, switch it up! Read what truly interests you—whether it’s romance, thrillers, fantasy, or self-help. Loving what you read makes the habit stick. Don’t force yourself to read something just because it’s popular; instead, focus on books that genuinely spark your curiosity and excitement. You needn’t always follow the latest trends, read the new releases, or pick up what everyone’s reading.

After all, just like what Murakami has said, “If you only read the books that everyone else is reading, you can only think what everyone else is thinking.“ Reading is a powerful habit that enriches the mind, broadens perspectives, and enhances knowledge. Yet, in today’s fast-paced world filled with digital distractions and endless to-do lists, cultivating a consistent reading habit can be challenging. Whether you want to advance your career, fuel your creativity, or simply enjoy stories, developing a regular reading routine is essential. This article will guide you through practical steps and strategies to help you become a consistent reader.

Before diving into how to develop a reading habit, it’s important to understand why it matters: With these benefits in mind, let’s explore how you can integrate reading into your daily life seamlessly. Start by defining what you want to achieve with your reading habit. Vague goals like “I want to read more” are less motivating than specific objectives such as: Setting measurable goals provides clarity and helps you track progress. Use a journal, app, or calendar to record what you plan to read and by when.

How To Develop A Reading Habit That Sticks Reading has frequently been supplanted by the instant satisfaction offered by social media, television, and digital content in today’s fast-paced, technologically driven world. However, reading continues to be one of the most effective ways to foster empathy, widen viewpoints, and advance personal development. Reading is not just a fun hobby but also a means of advancing one’s own life, from books that provide understanding of the human condition to non-fiction that informs and stimulates our thoughts. But many people find it difficult to develop a regular reading routine. It can be difficult to find the time, maintain attention, or maintain motivation while integrating reading into daily life. The good news is that anyone can form a reading habit that lasts—one that not only becomes a regular part of their life but also improves it in unanticipated ways—by using the appropriate techniques.

How To Create A Reading Habit Firstgenie

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