Mastering Reading Time Management: Strategies and More

Reading has become undiscovered and irrelevant in this era where people are struggling with the increasing power of mindless scrolling and exponentially increasing screen time. While some consider reading as a waste of time and scrolling as responsible for their “happiness”, many in this debate are trying to find a balance between the two. There is no room for 24 hours of reading a day. (I really love reading so much that I can imagine that too!) But in the time that we can allocate for reading, especially a few minutes, let’s explore how we can master reading time management and get more out of reading in less time.

The Importance of Managing Reading Time

We all need to prioritize our time by following the responsibilities we are trying to fulfill. During such times of the day, we may have a few free minutes to spend. Usually, people these days reach for their phones and mindlessly scroll through social media, which turns minutes into hours. However, during such brief breaks, these moments can be spent productively by picking up a book and starting reading.

As budding readers, the books on our shelves or cabinets, we wait for the perfect time to be able to devote ourselves to reading outside of our busy routine. Rest assured, unfortunately, it will never come. If you really want to read a book, you must understand that you can treat it like you treat your phone, opening it and browsing it at any time, even in places like toilets, subways and living rooms.

Reading starts in those compact breaks you have throughout the day. Managing your reading time is significant. Never wait for the perfect time to start a reading session. Have compact but regular reading sessions to savor reading and reap the real benefits of it.

A commitment to reading a book isn’t just about skimming through the pages of literature. It also includes actively cultivating hearty reading habits and strategically investing in personal development and growth.

Properly managed time and good, consistent reading allow readers and individuals to achieve a good dopamine rush from the content being discussed. This becomes increasingly significant as we read the book, because time management in our routines allows us to balance the content being discussed with understanding the material being read.

Below are some techniques and tips to facilitate you incorporate reading time management into your daily routine so that you can “finally” read something during the perfect occasion or invitation.

Strategies for implementing reading time management

Prioritizing reading in everyday life

There will be no relaxing, comforting invitation to sit under a lamp, on a cozy couch and start reading. Reading can be as speedy as reading on the fly. If you have a spare minute to relax, reach for a book or open an online blog, read a few lines and return to your routine. Instead of staring at a screen for visuals or drooling over blank walls, in such cases, reading a few sentences is a much better option.

Remember this next time you take a break. The first thing you do is pick up a book and read it. To implement this more practically, carry a book or Kindle next to it so you can read on the go!

Setting realistic and achievable reading goals

When it comes to reading minds, you also need to have a certain milestone you want to achieve. This can be completely personalized based on how much time you can dedicate to reading outside of your normal routine. For individuals, this could range from reading a few paragraphs to reading an entire book! Decide for yourself what you can realistically achieve to keep yourself motivated and consistent with your reading.

Effective reading techniques

Dynamic reading

To save time and make the most of your reading time, you can approach literature with “Active reading.” It simply involves reading with the intention and mindset of getting something out of it. It minimizes shallow reading and improves comprehension. This is a great technique for people who have less time and want to avoid pointless or shallow reading. By having this intention of reading with a purpose and fully understanding the text, you can apply your free time productively and efficiently.

Bird’s-eye view

Getting a bird’s eye view by turning the pages of a book or scrolling through a published article can encourage you to read it thoroughly. The text may not seem captivating to you before this bird’s eye view, but after it, it can ignite a spark of tension and interest to read the thing. The bird’s eye view can be obtained in free minutes, and the content can be read thoroughly when you can devote more time to it.

Selective reading and prioritization

One of the most common techniques is selective reading and prioritizing the parts of the text that are significant to you. For example, if you are reading a dense, chunky book, but you simply have to quote something from it, you will worry about selectively reading the part that interests you. This is a technique for managing your time while reading and making the most of it. This way, you gain knowledge, quote something, or do your work, and apply your time productively!

Overcoming various time management challenges

Procrastination

Procrastination has been a problem for humanity since forever. Delaying the tasks we intend to do depends on many factors and excuses. However, dealing with the situation of delaying things can be achieved with the facilitate of several techniques.

Consider reading this article, which discusses the dangers and possible solutions to procrastination, later in this article. Dealing with procrastination will facilitate you develop reading habits during those brief periods when you procrastinate and don’t venture outside your comfort zone, preferring to scroll through social media instead of reading something meaningful.

Managing distractions

Managing distractions and sticking to your reading habits is key to making the most of your brief reading window. Distractions like messages and phone notifications can take your attention away from reading. Of course, who wouldn’t prefer texting to reading in today’s world?

The solution to such distractions can be to keep such sources of distraction away from you. If you are reading a physical book or a Kindle, keeping your phone a little out of reach can be a great way to distract yourself from such things. If a friend or coworker is distracting you during your “reading time,” lock them out of your room (lol).

Technology and reading

Technology and reading can be two pillars of each other. Or vice versa. Technology such as mobile phones, e-readers, laptops, tablets and desktop computers can be a viable way to access e-books, blogs, magazines and news. However, the situation can be reversed if such technology creates a hindrance to developing reading habits, reducing reading comprehension and time management alone. Such technological devices tempt people to watch content, interact and play rather than read, because reading engages the brain more than such things.

This is where you need to decide whether integrating technology into your reading experience will play a productive role or if it will just be another huge source of distraction. Experiment and see what works best for you and read accordingly!

In conclusion, this guide will facilitate you make the most of your brief reading session. It will also pave the way for you to get out of your reading slump and reach the daily reading goal you set for yourself. Remember, there will be no better time to read than when you have free time!

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