For a bum like you, exercise and reading at the same time can sound horrible, but thereâs so much value in reading booksâyou should want to stay focused while reading.
We all know the cycle. You zone out, then have to reread the whole page. This doesnât help at all when you procrastinated and need to read an assignment before school or are truly trying to learn something.
Then to top it all off, socials and shows donât help. Imagine all the important things you can learn and implement in your own life if you focus properly. Maybe itâs not that you canât focusâbut the book sucks. What if you need to read it, for example, a textbook?
Start with why
As with everything, you should first start with why. For example, why are you lazy? Why are you reading this book? What are you trying to learn from it? Are you reading because you like the story, or is this book needed for work or school?
Set constraints
To start, aim to read a certain amount of pages or for a certain amount of time every day. Make it attainable so you can stay consistent. The easier it is to start, the easier it is to continue.
Maybe itâs 10 pages a day, one page a day, or 20 minutesâwhatever works. The goal is to start small, then scale up.
If page limits donât work, try time. Your brain can focus better when it knows thereâs a set window. Start with 10 minutes, then work your way up to 30+ minutes. Take breaks every hour.
Remove Distractions
Twitter, Instagram, TikTok, Netflix, YouTube. Theyâre all distractions. The closer they are, the easier it is to get sidetracked.
Put your phone in another room. Find a quiet place. No notifications. No noise. Thatâs how you get focused and stay focused.
Use a guide
Your guide can be anythingâpen, highlighter, ruler, bookmark. Use it to follow along under each line as you read. Without one, your eyes may wander and youâll zone out.
Guides keep your reading focused and can help you retain more information.
Take notes
Taking notes is one of the best ways to stay focused while reading. Use a pen or pencil and jot down highlights or key ideas. Just like in school, writing things down reinforces memory.
It doesnât matter if youâre reading nonfiction or a novelânote-taking works across the board.
Use Rewards
Figure out what motivates you. Social media? Snacks? Movies?
Set a reward system. After one page or chapter, let yourself check Twitter or grab a cookie.
Make sure the reward is small and has limits. Scrolling for hours isnât a rewardâitâs a trap. A small snack or 5-minute break? That works.
Final Thoughts
Try these methods or mix and match to find what works best for you.
Reading is food for your brain. Put TikTok down for a little bitâitâll still be there when youâre done. If youâre too busy to read, audiobooks are a great and easier alternative.
Just start. Focus will follow.