Three Steps to Finally Start (and Stick to) a Reading Habit
These steps will help you start, stay consistent, and actually enjoy the process
Reading time: 5 mins
Let’s see if you have the focus and patience to make it through this entire article—no images, no distractions, just words. Think of this as your first reading challenge.
In preparation to write this post, I was reading up on why reading matters. Ryan Holiday, one of my favorite writers on this subject, quotes Erasmus in a blog post:
“When I get a little money I buy books; and if any is left I buy food and clothes.”
Why would someone in the 1500’s say this? Why do most successful people recommend books as their go-to source of knowledge? Why do I spend half my savings on books? (Let’s not answer the last question, haha!)
Whenever I hear someone say they don’t have time to read, I don’t buy it. It’s rarely about time—it’s about priorities.
The real reason most people don’t find time to read is because they see it as a hobby. If you treat it as essential as eating or walking, you’ll make time for it, at any cost.
Nevertheless, if you genuinely don’t have time because you’re duty-bound by family or personal stuff, the pointers I present here should help you.
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Here’s how you start reading. Nothing fancy, no tricks—just three steps:
Read for just 10 minutes a day
Pick books you’ll actually enjoy
Make it impossible to ignore
That’s it. Start here, simple works.
If you just thought “10 minutes is too short, I can do 30”, you’re overestimating your will power.
If you could, you would have already.
Why simple steps work
The hardest part is getting started, not the habit itself. That is why simple works.
No overwhelming goals, no massive efforts, no overthinking. Just small, easy steps that fit into your day.
Reading for 10 minutes? That’s doable for everyone.
Picking a book you’re excited about? Easy.
Keeping it within reach? Takes zero effort.
“But I have so much work, I forget reading”
Habits stick when easy to remember. Only way to make sure you never forget is to tag your reading habit to something you already do every day—right after brushing your teeth, with your morning coffee, 10 minutes right after lunch, or before bed.
When it’s tied to an existing routine, it becomes automatic.
The simpler it feels, the harder it is to make excuses. And that’s how you turn “I want to read more“ into something you actually do.
For nerds like me, who want scientific backing
You know this already, but I’ll say it again—reading is a brilliant habit, it’s like workout for your brain.
Neuroscience shows that it improves cognitive function, enhances memory, and even rewires how we think.
Strengthens neural pathways by engaging regions like the frontal lobe, temporal lobe, and hippocampus, improving language processing and memory retention
Trains deep focus by requiring sustained attention, sharpening your ability to concentrate
Enhances empathy by activating the brain’s default mode network, helping you understand others’ perspectives better
History backs this up too.
Leaders like Abraham Lincoln and Theodore Roosevelt devoured books, crediting them for their decision-making and creativity. Roosevelt even read a book a day during his presidency, proving that reading isn’t a luxury—it’s a tool for greatness.
If you’ve read this far, you can build a reading habit
Let’s start today.
Read just for 10 minutes and pair it with something you already do, like your morning coffee
Pick a book you’ll enjoy. My reading list page has a lot of suggestions, but try Eat That Frog (non-fiction) or The Adventures of Sherlock Holmes (fiction)
Keep your book within reach. Bedside table, dining table, your desk—I like to keep one on my desk because that’s where I start and end my day
You don’t have to read a hundred books, or even a hundred pages. Just thinking about letting the habit grow slowly. Stick with it—you’ve already proven you can.
I’m reading The Creative Act next. I’d love to hear what you picked.
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