How to Read With Consistency

For some of us out there, reading with consistency is, and has probably always been, an easy thing to do. Without a second thought, we snatch up our latest novel and read the time away in our cozy blanket with a nice cup of tea. Others, however, struggle with trying to read with consistency, like someone might struggle with starting a new diet or working out a couple times a week.

Eventually, this person might ask themselves: why bother? Answering this question first is key for those who strive to read with consistency so that they know just why they should put in the effort at all.

There are many benefits of reading with consistency, which I discovered even more once I began to really study literature in college. Reading helps us write better, speak better, and can even help us understand each other better. As your vocabulary broadens and grows, you are able to communicate more effectively and understand other readings and dialogue with people much more clearly than you may have been able to before.

Reading with consistency doesn't only help your vocabulary when it comes to improving your writing. You may not be aware of it as your eyes dance across the page, but, as you read, you pick up on patterns in organization, grammar, and punctuation. This comes in handy when you go on to write something of your own, whether it is a novel or just an email, because you are much more likely to recognize and repair more errors in your text.

There are many more benefits of reading with consistency, if what I've already mentioned isn't enough to get you eager to read more. Reading can help you deal with stress and just relax. This activity can also help you explore other cultures and beliefs, open your mind to the ambiguity of meaning, recognize individual bias, and even help you better understand history.

So, whether you are trying to improve your writing and/or speaking skills, or just looking for a new way to relax, understanding how to read with consistency and putting these tips into practice can be the answer to your problems. It may be difficult to get yourself to really read with consistency, but, I have some suggestions below that just may help you get there.

If you really have the drive and determination to get started on reading more, then understanding ways to get you to read with consistency can really help. I can't promise it will be easy, if you really aren't much of a reader and find the activity extremely boring, but, with some patience and work you will read with consistency in no time.

• Start a Reading List

Remember when your elementary or high school teacher would ask you and your fellow students to write out a list of goals for the semester/year that you wanted to accomplish in that class? Starting a reading list is pretty much the same thing.

Try and come up with a list of at least three to five books minimum that you want to read. As you finish each novel and check these books off the list, you will start to really see yourself achieving your goal of reading more and this will give you the drive to continue to read with more consistency. See the link to the right for more details.

• Set Aside Time Everyday

Setting aside time every day to read can help you train yourself to really start to read with consistency. Start small with perhaps 15-20 minutes and then slowly work your way up to a half an hour or more. Eventually, you may find yourself going over your time set for yourself if you find books that really capture your attention.

At some point, you may actually start looking forward to this set time or read during other parts of the day outside of this allotted time. In the meantime, making sure that you sit down every day and read is a great step toward reading with consistency, as long as you really push yourself to do it and don't let yourself slack.

• Designate a Reading Spot

Deciding on a reading spot is a great way to get yourself motivated to read, especially if it is a place you see everyday, such as your bedroom or office. Even choosing a particular chair in the house that is your "reading chair" works just fine.

The things you want in a reading space is comfort, quiet (unless you like a little music in the background), and separation from anything distracting. I would suggest even turning off your cellphone or at least putting it on silent during the time you have chosen to read everyday. When you have a place like this free from distraction and full of comfort then there's no reason why you wouldn't want to go in there and read a little everyday.

• Read With Friends

Another great motivator is a friend. Starting or joining a book club or just reading a book with a friend can really help get you to read with consistency because you have a reason to want to get through that next chapter so that you can talk about it with them and share your ideas.

I remember students in my English literature classes saying that they hated doing the reading but they always loved the discussions in class the next day. Even if you continue to dislike the act of sitting and reading, perhaps the part where you meet with a friend or two to talk about the book over coffee will make that time worth while.

• Keep Your Books Close

Yet another way to help you read with consistency is just to keep your books close. You'd be surprised how much reading you can fit into your day, even if you may have initially felt like there's no way you can set up a time each day to sit down and delve into a novel. If you don't have a purse or bag to carry a book in, the book is too big, or you don't want to risk ruining the covers, then an e-reader might be the perfect solution.

Some examples of when you could read are: during lunch breaks, waiting for appointments, or any other situation where you may be just sitting around, waiting for something to happen. I have an e-reader and I also have a big enough purse to carry almost any size book so I have no problem lugging reading material around with me where ever I go. When I forget them, I even have a Kindle application on my phone that I can access my e-books on so there's no excuse not to have something to read.

It's easy to find ideas on how to read with more consistency but actually doing it is the hard part. As someone who reads as much as possible everyday, I have never had this issue, but I know plenty who have and I have actually helped one or two find books that have turned them into consistent readers. They may be slower readers than I am and not read everyday, but they finish a novel or two a year and that's good enough for them.

Find your own pace for yourself and set a goal that you know you can reach. Hopefully, my advice helps and you can be on your way to becoming the avid reader of your dreams. Just remember why you want to read more and push yourself, despite any feelings you may have that it is impossible. With the ideas listed above, there's no reason why you can't reach your goal.