“Reading is to the mind what exercise is to the body”

          – JOSEPH ADDISON

Reading has a number of benefits including improving your memory and vocabulary, helping you learn new things, and improving focus and concentration. A lot of people say that they want to develop a reading habit but are unable to due to a lack of time. I was one of those people myself at one point in my life. Before we dive into building reading as a habit, let’s first understand what a habit is.

 What is a Habit?

A habit is a routine behavior or practice that is performed regularly and often subconsciously. It is an automatic response to a specific situation or stimulus, formed through repeated actions over time. Habits can be both positive, such as exercising daily, and negative, like smoking. Understanding habits involves several key components.

Types of Habits

Good Habits

• Beneficial behaviors that contribute to your well-being and success. Examples include exercising regularly, reading daily, and maintaining a healthy diet. 

Bad Habits

• Detrimental behaviors that can negatively impact your health and productivity. Examples include procrastination, overeating, and smoking.

The Science Behind Habit Formation

The process of habit formation is rooted in the brain’s ability to create neural pathways. When a behavior is repeated, the brain’s neurons form connections that make the behavior easier to perform automatically. This process is often referred to as “neuroplasticity,” which is the brain’s ability to reorganize itself by forming new neural connections.

Now that we understand what a habit is, the types of habits, and the science behind habit formation, let’s explore how to make reading a habit using a 4 step procedure.

Establish a Cue

A cue is the trigger that initiates the habitual behavior. This could be a time of day, an emotional state, a specific location, or a preceding action. For example, the cue for brushing your teeth might be waking up in the morning.

     For making reading a habit

• Place a book on your reading table to remind you to read.

• Keep a book on your bed so that you see it when you wake up and before you sleep, prompting you to read.

Create a Routine

The routine is the regular behavior or action that follows the cue. This is the habit itself. Using the previous example, the routine is brushing your teeth.

For making reading a habit

Dedicate 20 minutes every day to reading. This could be in the morning after you wake up, in the evening before you go to bed, or during your free time.

Reward Yourself

The reward is the positive outcome or feeling that follows the routine. Rewards reinforce the habit loop, making it more likely that the behavior will be repeated in the future. For instance, the reward for brushing your teeth is the feeling of cleanliness and freshness.

For making reading a habit

• The reward for reading can be the sense of acquiring knowledge and the satisfaction of learning something new.

• Enjoy the benefits of reading, such as relaxation, improved focus, and enhanced vocabulary.

Repetition

Habits are formed and strengthened through repetition. The more frequently a behavior is performed in response to a cue, the more automatic it becomes.

For making reading a habit 

• Stay consistent with your reading routine. Regularly dedicating time to read will help solidify reading as a habitual part of your daily life.

Charlie Munger, the business partner of Warren Buffett and a billionaire himself, once noted, “In my whole life, I have known no wise people (over a broad subject matter area) who didn’t read all the time—none. Zero. You’d be amazed at how much Warren reads—and how much I read. My children laugh at me. They think I’m a book with a couple of legs sticking out.”

If you want to read a book that is going to help you make reading a habit, make sure to read “Atomic Habits” by James Clear.

Habits define what a person is. It is said that we are the sum of the habits that we bear within ourselves.

By following these four steps—establishing a cue, creating a routine, rewarding yourself, and ensuring repetition—you can successfully make reading a regular habit.