How to Set and Maintain A Reading Goal In 2020

It’s the weekend, y’all.

And it’s snowing! Yay! Even though it’s >1 inch, it’s still a legitimate excuse to stay in and read. The perfect excuse to dive into your TBR pile! If you set a goal to read more in 2020, and are having trouble sticking to that goal, then this post is for you. It’s not hard to stick to this goal, but it does take some discipline. I’ve heard through the grapevine that it takes anywhere from 18 days to 66 days to make a habit stick. So if that isn’t motivation to pick up a book, then these tips will.

Step one: set a goal.

This is kinda obvious, but write your goal down. Make sure it’s realistic. If you want to read 52 books a year, and haven’t picked up a book since Obama was prez, then that might be a little hard. Start with 10-12 books a year—that’s one book a month. For me, I made my goal 30 books a year. That’s about two books a month, and we’ll see if I meet it. The key to setting a goal is that you can always change it. This exciting journey of reading is your journey. If you feel overwhelmed by your 20 books goal, then change it! 

Step two: set times throughout the week where you can read. 

Big planner gals, this one’s for you. I use the ban.do planner, and while I love it, I don’t use it for reading goals. I recently started bullet journaling, and I track it there. It’s also helpful to have set times throughout the day to read. Try reading right as you get up. (If you’re a morning person.) Try reading right before you go to bed. Try reading on your lunch break. Just do it—make time for your book. 

Step three: pick books that aren’t that challenging.

Don’t try to choose a book that will have you running to the dictionary or that will bore you. Pick books that aren’t really that challenging, especially if you’re trying to get back into the reading game. For example, don’t choose the DaVinci Code or some other difficult book. For me, I tend to gravitate towards romance novels—they’re quick and super easy to read! Plus, they’re also easy to fall in love with. And then, if you want, you can move towards the more challenging novels.

Step four: turn on a timer.

I haven’t tried this one, but if you’re a set planner, then turn on a timer. Set your timer to anything from 30 minutes to two hours to whatever, and then don’t touch your phone. That’s the key. Throw your phone across the room if you have to, so you don’t feel inclined to touch it. (Or check Instagram for the fifth time.) 

Step five: pick up the book. 

Actually pick up the book. TBH, I actually struggle with this. It seems like I buy a book and then forget about it two days later. One of my 2020 goals is to read more of the books that I buy before I buy more books. One way to combat this habit is that I started writing down the books that I want to read, so I’m making it an incentive to eventually buy those books on my wish list. When I finish one or two books on my TBR list, then I can look to my wish list. But actually, just pick up the book that you’ve been putting off forever. It might be your new favorite book! 

Step six: set a habit tracker wherever you look the most.

Whether it’s your phone (obviously), journal, mirror … set a habit tracker while you’re reading. Personally, I use my new bullet journal. I don’t look at it every day, but at the start and end of every week, I look back at it and recount how many times I read that week (in addition to how many times I drank water, worked out, or scheduled a blog post). Some people write it on the mirror, since you have to get ready every morning. Whatever works for you! Try to put it where you look the most. For most people, it’s your phone. Pro tip: put it as your background photo! 

Step seven: gather your friends and make a book club.

Whether it’s the same book or different book—it’s fun chatting about how you feel about the book, the different characters. And if your friends are reading different books, then there’s more books to add to your growing TBR pile! (And your friends will motivate you to read more, too.) An amazing online book club is @girlsnightin on Instagram, and they send weekly newsletters. They’re even based in D.C! 

Step eight: create a bookstagram account (or follow bookstagram accounts).

Honestly, since creating a separate account for reading, I’ve been more motivated to read than ever. I see all of these beautiful bookstagrams and the creators reading one book a week—and it makes me feel like an amateur reader. Now whenever I turn on Netflix, I feel guilty for ignoring my latest read(s). 

Step nine: put your TBR list on your nightstand so you can READ!!!! 

What are you doing? You’re laying in your bed, reading this off your phone, ignoring your TBR list. Put a small stack of books that you want to read on your nightstand so whenever you climb into bed, you grab that instead of your Apple TV remote or phone. 

Happy reading, lovelies!!