The 400 Project

So far in 2016, I’ve read 17 books (and 26 last year). It’s not as much as I’d like to have read but from friends and co-workers I’ve talked to, it’s a hell of a lot more than they’ve read. “How do you have so much time to read?” they ask. “I’d love to read more but I just don’t have enough time in the day.” Well, reading is just like any other hobby – you have to make time for it. Here are some things that have worked for me:

Read before bed

I’ve found that reading before going to sleep both helps me read more and helps me sleep better. It doesn’t take too much time out of your day to read a few pages of a book in bed (provided you’re not tired enough to forget all that you’ve just read).

Bring a book to work

You’d be surprised at how much reading can be done during breaks throughout the day. Take a book to a nearby cafe and read on your lunch or flip through a few pages in the break room.

Put down your phone

This is the one that takes the most work. Any time you find yourself picking up your phone with a few minutes to spare to scroll through Instagram photos, check Snapchat or your Facebook news feed, grab a book instead. It may take a while to get over the “fear of missing out” phenomenon of social media, but your eyes and your brain will thank you.

Read books you enjoy

If you’re not feeling an urge to pick up the book you’re currently reading then maybe you’re not reading the right book. Find a book that you actively want to keep reading, one that’s impossible to put down. Join Goodreads and find the books you know you like and it will give you similar recommendations.

Those are just some quick suggestions that have helped me read more, so just find whatever works best for your schedule and lifestyle. If you have any other ideas, let us know in the comments!