Growth · 5 min · Oct 5, 2024 · by Lakshit Mishra
How to Actually Read More: The Realistic Guide
Everyone says read more. Nobody explains how when you're busy, tired, and distracted. Here's the practical system.
The Reading Fantasy
"Read 50 books a year."
"Leaders are readers."
"Reading is the best investment."
You've heard it all. And you agree. Reading IS valuable.
So why do you read maybe 2 books annually?
Because the advice is aspirational, not practical. Here's what actually works.
Why Reading Is Hard
Competing attention: Your phone offers infinite, effortless entertainment. Books require focus.
Decision fatigue: Choosing what to read creates friction before you even start.
Time scarcity: Reading feels like a luxury when you're busy surviving.
All-or-nothing thinking: If you can't read for an hour, why bother at all?
The Realistic Reading System
1. Make It Stupid Easy
The 2-page minimum: Commit to reading just 2 pages daily. That's it. Takes 3 minutes.
Most days, you'll read more. But on hard days, 2 pages keeps the habit alive.
Always have a book accessible:
- Physical book by your bed
- Kindle app on your phone (front page)
- Audiobook ready during commutes
Remove friction. Increase proximity.
2. Create Reading Triggers
Attach reading to existing habits:
- After my morning coffee → Read 10 minutes
- Before bed → Read until sleepy
- During lunch → Read instead of scroll
- Waiting anywhere → Pull out book
Habits attached to habits stick better.
3. Eliminate Competition
Phone-free reading time: Phone in another room. Not silenced—removed.
Replace scroll time: Every time you reach for social media, grab your book instead. You'll be surprised how much time you find.
Reading before screen: Morning reading before phone. Evening reading before TV.
4. Quit Bad Books
Life's too short for books you hate. If it's not working after 50 pages, drop it.
No guilt. Move on. The right book is out there.
5. Track Progress
What gets measured gets done.
- Goodreads for book logging
- Ascender for daily reading habits
- Simple tally marks in a notebook
Seeing progress creates momentum.
The Format Flexibility
Physical books: Best for focus and retention. No notifications.
E-readers: Great for travel, night reading, instant access.
Audiobooks: Perfect for commutes, chores, exercise. "Reading" with your ears still counts.
Mix formats based on context. The best format is the one you'll use.
What to Read
Don't overthink it. Start with:
Interest-led: What topics genuinely fascinate you?
Problem-led: What problems are you trying to solve?
Recommendation-led: What do people you respect suggest?
Fiction, non-fiction—both count. Reading for pleasure still builds the habit.
The Compound Effect
Reading 20 pages daily = 30 books per year.
30 books per year = 300 books per decade.
Imagine knowing what's in 300 books that your peers never read.
That's the reading compound effect. Small daily action, massive long-term advantage.
Start Tonight
- Pick ONE book (already own? Perfect)
- Put it somewhere you'll see it
- Tomorrow, read 2 pages before anything else
That's the whole system. The rest is just execution.
Your next chapter awaits.
Start reading.