7 Ways to Find Time to Read
by Stephanie Faris
As I write this, I’m laughing at the irony. Just moments ago, I read a few pages in the current book I’m reading and felt guilty with every word. How could I set aside even five minutes to read when I have so much to do?
But I do. I try to read a little every day, even when life is super crazy. Here are a few ways you can squeeze writing into your busy schedule.
· Dedicated Time—The best option is to simply set aside “reading time” every day. My mom does this just before bed. Some people read during their lunch break or while eating dinner (if they live alone). Find a time that will be easy to stick to each day.
· Multitask—Before my treadmill died, I used to read while walking every day. You can also squeeze in reading time while blow drying your hair or waiting in the pick-up lane at your child’s school.
· App It—There are times when you’ll wish you had your book on hand. If you read on your Kindle, there’s an easy way to do that. Download the Kindle app for your phone. When you’re stuck in the waiting room at the doctor’s office or waiting in line at the post office, you can pull up your app and go to the last page you read on your Kindle.
· Set a Daily Goal—You don’t have to read 100 pages a day. Simply tell yourself that you’re going to read a chapter a day or 20-50 pages. Whatever works for you. Over time, those small daily pages add up.
· Learn Speed Reading—I’ve never taken a speed-reading class, but I know people who have…and they can power through a book! These small techniques can help you get through your pages much faster.
· Audiobooks—When I commuted to an office every day, audiobooks got me through rush-hour traffic. I actually started looking forward to my “alone time” every morning, where I’d sip a cup of coffee and listen to the latest bestseller. If you can’t afford an app like Audible, you can likely get audiobooks free from your library’s website.
· Cut Something Else—If you need extra time in the day, the best thing to do is eliminate something. Find an area where you’re wasting time—such as arguing with people about the presidential election on Facebook—and channel that energy into reducing your to-read pile.
These tips may not be the magic fix you’re looking for, but hopefully they’ll help you think twice when you say you don’t have time to read. Everyone can likely find at least 15 extra minutes a day to read, but if you can set aside an hour or more and relax, you’ll likely be happier and healthier.
Blurb
When Piper Morgan has to move to a new town, she is sad to leave behind her friends, but excited for a new adventure. She is determined to have fun, be brave and find new friends.
In Piper Morgan Joins the Circus, Piper learns her mom’s new job will be with the Big Top Circus. She can’t wait to learn all about life under the big top, see all the cool animals, and meet the Little Explorers, the other kids who travel with the show. She’s even more excited to learn that she gets to be a part of the Little Explorers and help them end each show with a routine to get the audience on their feet and dancing along!
In Piper Morgan in Charge, Piper’s mom takes a job in the local elementary school principal’s office. Piper is excited for a new school and new friends—and is thrilled when she is made an “office helper.” But there is one girl who seems determined to prove she is a better helper—and she just so happens to be the principal’s daughter. Can Piper figure out how to handle being the new girl in town once more?
Stephanie Faris knew she wanted to be an author from a very young age. In fact, her mother often told her to stop reading so much and go outside and play with the other kids. After graduating from Middle Tennessee State University with a Bachelor of Science in broadcast journalism, she somehow found herself working in information technology. But she never stopped writing.
Stephanie is the Simon & Schuster author of 30 Days of No Gossip and 25 Roses. When she isn’t crafting fiction, she writes for a variety of online websites on the topics of business, technology, and her favorite subject of all—fashion. She lives in Nashville with her husband, a sales executive.
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