3 Proven Ways To Read More

As I got to know about the latest inventory of literature in our University's library, I couldn't wait to explore what had been brought for us to read. From Ismat Chughtai to Virgina Woolf, you name it and you will find it there. However, upon so many recommendations, I chose to begin with Hashim Nadeem's famous novel Abdullah. It took me three long weeks to read only half of it. Though it is not lengthy but the barriers in surroundings kept me away for reading more and this had to stop. 

I returned the book and issued a new one, the best selling 'A Case Of Exploding Mangoes' by Mohammed Hanif. In order to read it in time, I set few rules of reading and surprisingly they worked. 

The 3 proven ways that helped me read more are:

1) One Chapter = One Sitting 

The basic thumb rule of reading 20-30 mins a day didn't work for me. Sitting for too long, reading continuously is boring. You can't absorb every word. At least I can't. So I decided to read only 1 chapter per sitting. By doing this, I started picking up my book more often, approximately 10 times a day and finished 10 chapters in a day. Less boring, less time consuming, more absorbing and reading doesn't seem burden this way. 

2) Disabling WIFI and Mobile Data 

Calls and text messages are acceptable because we don't prefer them anymore. By disabling my mobile data and wifi, I not only had disturbance free reading sessions but also these short breaks from internet are great to build self discipline. We can't remain sane without an internet for a whole day but yea, 10 minutes are absolutely fine. 

3) An Alarm Reminder 

Just so that I don't forget to read, I set multiple alarms for myself. The bell starts ringing and ask me to pick a book and read a chapter. My alarm schedule looks like: 

a) 12:00 PM

b) 1:30 PM

c) 3:00 PM

5) 4:50 PM

etc 

 

This technique works. Trust me. Try it. 

Have I missed anything? Would you like to add something to what I just wrote? 

Comment below and tell us what you feel.