9 tips for busy people to help you read more in 2025
Reading enriches our lives in countless ways, such as expanding knowledge, reducing stress, and fueling creativity. Yet, in today’s fast-paced world, finding time to read can feel impossible. In this post, I’ll share my best tips and practical strategies to help you make reading a consistent part of your busy schedule.
1. Set a Realistic Reading Goal
When it comes to setting a reading goal, you must make it realistic. I’m not saying you can’t shoot for the stars, but if you set a reading goal that’s too high for your current habits, you might get discouraged and give up along the way. Set achievable goals based on your current schedule, such as reading 10 pages per day or dedicating 15 minutes every night to reading.
These micro-goals help you build momentum and develop consistency, which is the key to making reading habits for a busy schedule attainable. When I decided I wanted to read more, I made it a point to sit in a comfy spot and grab my book, with no judgment if I only read three pages or an entire chapter.
2. Make Reading Part of Your Routine
Wondering how to make time for reading? The answer is simple: make it part of your routine. As we mentioned in another blog about the reading habits of successful people, what allows them to read daily, no matter how busy they are, is making it part of their schedule.
Besides this tip for busy people to read more, you’ll need to find what works for you specifically. For example, if you’re a morning person, grab your book with your coffee, but if you’re like me and love unwinding in the evening, then fitting the habit here will do wonders. The simpler you make it, the better and happier you’ll do it.
Another thing I recommend you do is habit-stacking. Pair reading with an already established habit such as reading before a workout or during your skincare routine. This will make reading more fun and also be easily included in your routine without having a chance to double-think.
3. Use Downtime Wisely
Many studies have shown the importance of unwinding during our day, not just before sleeping, to allow our brains to relax, and reading can be of great help.
If you have a few minutes to yourself, such as commuting, waiting for appointments, or during lunch breaks, grab a book and read. Don’t pressure yourself to read 20 pages and suffer while doing it, remember, it’s about creating the habit!
I like keeping books and e-books easily accessible, such as in the office, by the door (so I can grab and go), and in my bag. No matter if you read for just 5-10 minutes, this can add up over time and make reading part of your routine more smoothly.
4. Choose Books That Excite You
I’m the biggest advocate of the idea that if you don’t like that book, put it down! Reading shouldn’t be torture, and reading books you genuinely enjoy makes it easier to prioritize the habit.
If you’re new to reading in general and don’t know which books you might be interested in, feel free to explore different genres or bestseller lists to find your interests. Look for snippets of books you can read for free before deciding to invest in it. Also, look for lists that suggest books based on different movie genres or books similar to others.
When I began reading, I signed up on a platform that allowed me to read unpublished books in exchange for a review, and I read some of my favorite books to this day, such as Down World!
5. Schedule Reading Time Like an Appointment
Remember I said reading should be part of your routine? Well, if you really want to make sure you make time or read during your busy day, schedule it like an appointment.
Grab your calendar, Notion, or whatever you use to plan your day, and add reading like you’re going to the doctor. Just like any important meeting or workout, it’s important you block time in your calendar for reading.
If you’re a super organized person, I recommend you set reminders or alarms to build consistency. I like to add reading at a time when I know I’m free (the evening) but I’m flexible with it, so if I don’t have time on a particular evening, I move it right before bed. The key here is to treat this ‘appointment’ as a non-negotiable part of your day.
6. Limit Screen Time
Screen time is one of the major threats when wanting to read more. First, it’s important you don’t have a high screen time for your health, and second, reducing it (social media or TV) frees up space for reading and other activities.
Just like I mentioned the importance of setting time for reading, I recommend you set time to be without your phone or TV. You can use apps to track and limit your device usage, which will help you tremendously.
We all can benefit from a digital detox to improve our focus, and it also makes reading more enjoyable so I’d say it’s a win-win!
7. Incorporate Audiobooks for Multitasking
Audiobooks are great for people who feel too busy to sit down and read or get super sleepy with a book in hand. Personally, I love audiobooks for multitasking, such as cleaning, going for a walk, or cooking, so I make the most out of them.
If you’re interested in giving audiobooks a try, you can find some incredible titles on Audible, Scribd, and free library apps like Libby.
8. Join a Book Club or Reading Challenge
Being part of a book club adds accountability and motivation to stick to reading, and the monthly (or weekly) meetings allow you to connect with other readers and listen to the different takes on the same book. If you’re going through a reading slump, joining a book club can reignite your passion for reading!
As for challenges, I’m a huge fan of Goodreads Reading Challenge, which allows me to track my progress as well.
9. Track Your Reading Progress
Tracking your reading progress is great to keep you motivated. You can use a journal or app like Goodreads to do it. I love Goodreads since It’s designed to help you connect with other readers, share updates, and leave reviews.
If you love journals, use Pinterest to find the best visual representation of your reading goals, such as a checklist or bookshelf tracker.