“I don’t have time to read” is a common excuse, but building a reading habit is less about finding large blocks of free time and more about consistency.

Start small — committing to just 10 pages a day feels achievable, and momentum builds once reading becomes routine rather than a chore.

Attach reading to an existing habit, such as morning tea, a commute, or the time right before bed, so the new habit anchors to an established one.

Keep a book within reach, physical or digital, for the small pockets of downtime that appear throughout the day.

Don’t force yourself through a book that isn’t working — abandoning it is efficient, not failure. Reading should feel rewarding, not obligatory.

Track reading progress with a simple list or app, which provides visible progress and is a genuinely motivating feedback loop.

Mix formats — audiobooks count, and listening during a commute or chores can sustain the habit on busy days.

References

• Pew Research Center — reading habits and format trends — https://www.pewresearch.org/topic/media-society/media-use/reading-habits/