So if you’ve been around the blog at all or you know me in real life, you will have noticed that I read quite a lot of books. I’ve loved to read since I learned to read. I used to hit up the library to read all sort of fiction books. I would read books like Nancy Drew Mysteries. As I got older, I read books by Jeanette Oke, Lori Wick, etc. A little over a year ago, I stopped reading all fiction for almost a year. Since then, I have read a few fiction books but never gone back to reading fiction on a regular basis.
At the beginning of last year, I made a goal to read 12 books that would teach me something. At the end of the year, I surpassed my goal by a couple of books so I made the same goal (again) for this year. At this point, I have completely finished 9 books and have 2 more on the go. Not bad considering it’s August and I’m a pretty busy Mom.
Obviously, reading a teaching book takes significantly more time than just picking up a fiction book. You might be wondering how I have found the time to read. It’s not magic, I promise. I’ve done it by being intentional. I’ve been intentional by making it a part of my daily routine. Now my days and weeks do vary in busyness, but I find that I can be fairly consistent because I make it a priority.
How I Find Time to Read
- Along with reading more books, I have also begun to read the Bible a lot more. I have written about reading through the Bible this year in the past. I choose to read my Bible in the mornings. Whenever I read my Bible, I take the time to read 3-5 pages of whatever book I’m currently reading.
- Since my children quit napping, I have implemented an afternoon “Quiet Time.” I use part of this time to read each day.
- Sunday Afternoon. If we are home on a Sunday, I generally spend at least an hour reading.
As my dear husband, Bernd often says, you will find the time to do the things that are important to you. I must remind you that what works for me, may not work for you.
Some other ideas
- One of my dear friends wakes up at 5:00 a.m. most days to spend 2 hours studying the Bible and reading books for personal growth.
- Another friend who still has small children reads during nap time.
- Bernd does a lot of driving so he listens to a lot of audiobooks.
I say all this to say that if you really want to read books, there is no excuse. You can find the time to fit it in.
So tell me, do you read? I’d love to hear when you fit in it.
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