I feel like this is going to be a tough one for a lot of readers. How do we create reading goals without burning out? It’s just what we do.
It shouldn’t be that way, though. Reading is our hobby for a reason or else it wouldn’t be our hobby at all. We don’t read to look cool, and we don’t read to look “smart”. Granted, I’m sure there are some people out there who do, but they are necessarily true readers, are they?
Over the past few years, while blogging, I’ve seen a lot of I need a break or I’m in such a terrible reading rut. Trust me, I’ve been one of those people too. Heck, I feel like I’m kind of in one right now because I’m not reading nearly as much as I used to.
So, how exactly do we combat this treacherous feeling that likes to get in the way of reading some really great books out there?
How to create reading goals
Just like everyone else, a lot of us readers are setting goals for the new year. Most of us are either doing it now or more than likely going to wait until January 1. Either way, those goals are going to get made with most of us.
So, how to create reading goals without making ourselves eventually burn out and crash into neverland? I always say start small. Ridiculous right? If we don’t go big, we go home, and we can’t go home.
I know it may seem ridiculous to just start small, but it helps out a lot. If you aren’t a very fast reader, then maybe just write down twenty books. If it’s a goal that’s attainable, then why not go for it? Reading shouldn’t be a competition and you should be able to take your time and read the books that you enjoy. In the end, that’s all that really matters.
Besides, it’s not like your goals are set in stone for the year. If you write them, you are allowed to change them. If you wind up going ahead and reading your goal, then it’s going to give you those endorphins to keep reading more, and then you can write out another attainable goal.
Reading isn’t a sport, and we shouldn’t be trying to compete to read every single book every year or that really will get you in a rut.
Reading consistently without burning out
This is something that I’m trying my best to work on myself. But yet again, I’m going to tell you to start small. Even if it’s just five to ten pages, at least then you will be making progress. You don’t have to read hundreds of books to truly be a reader. Just start slowly and see if you really like the book or not.
Also, another good idea would be to set maybe a five or ten minute timer on your phone. You can put your phone on the other side of the room if it tends to distract you and just read what you can.
Doing either of these would be a great way to start slowly and to ease your way back into reading. Now, if you find a book that you wind up wanting to stay up all night for, then by all means go ahead and do that! That would be a great start to your journey if you wound up finding a book that good right at the beginning of your journey.
Conclusion on how to create reading goals
Just remember this is something that you can tweak any way you feel that’s right. I always suggest going slow because sometimes jumping right into things can deter you from it from the get-go. If reading is something that you want to try and accomplish next year or even this year, depending on when you’re reading it, then think about what exactly you want out of all of this.
Also, it’s okay to not finish a book. I get you may feel guilty about it, like I have so many times, but if it isn’t your cup of tea, then just stop and find something else to read.
If you need somewhere to write your reading goal, then you can find some great notebooks here. You can find more bookish discussions here.