Three obstacles to reading and how to overcome them

Website design By BotEap.comHurdle number one: I can’t read very fast

Website design By BotEap.comSolution: Be realistic

Website design By BotEap.comPersonally, I can’t read very fast, but I’ve noticed that after years of constant reading, my reading speed has increased exponentially. One thing that helped me even start a reading habit was starting with books that interested me. If you’re reading a book just to read, you won’t establish a lifelong reading habit. Start with books that you really enjoy. Another action step is to start with books that are less than 100 pages. Don’t start with your great-grandfather’s “Chronicles of World History.” You can normally finish a 100 page book in just a few days of reading for 20-30 minutes. The excitement of closing a book after reading it makes you want to start another.

Website design By BotEap.comObstacle number two: I can’t find a quiet place to read.

Website design By BotEap.comSolution: Be intentional and communicate.

Website design By BotEap.comSome of you reading this have several children and a small house. I am very familiar with this obstacle. One way to overcome this is to schedule reading time into your day. Make this a time when you are naturally alert and awake. Thirty minutes of focused reading time will produce much more benefit than three hours of distracted reading. I think mornings are the best time for me. Be sure to communicate with your family, spouse, roommates, etc. when you’re going to hide to read a little. This will keep you from getting frustrated when they walk into the room to ask you a question or talk about the new Star Wars movie. You may be thinking, “I can’t ask them to leave me alone for thirty minutes. That’s selfish.” Trust me men, our wives don’t want ignorant and boring husbands. Just imagine having something to talk about with our wives besides politics and the latest ESPN stats. Our wives won’t mind us taking time for intellectual stimulation. Girls, take advantage of the moments of the day when the children are doing their homework or taking a nap. Another strategy is to have your children read with you. Some mornings my wife and I have our children read a book (or look at the pictures) by themselves while we have our reading times. Ask your husband and tell your kids to do the dishes while you sneak away for a few minutes of quiet reading.

Website design By BotEap.comObstacle number three: I don’t have time.

Website design By BotEap.comSolution: Remember that the quality of time is more important than the quantity of time.

Website design By BotEap.comReally? You don’t have time to read. “I don’t have time” is one of the best phrases of our days when it comes to commitments. The real problem is that we have made too many commitments to the wrong things. The biggest waste of time for all of us is television. I promise. Turn off the television and you’ll find you have plenty of time that could be used to read a book. Start by cutting just one thirty minute show and focus on one book. You will find that your appetite for good reading will begin to crowd out your appetite for nonsensical television shows. Oh. One more thing. Be sure to turn off your cell phone while reading, too. May your reading become easier and your appetite for good books strengthen as you begin this great habit for life.

Website design By BotEap.comWhat time of day do you spend reading?

Website design By BotEap.comWhat time of day are you most alert?

Website design By BotEap.comAre you an early riser or a night owl?