Trying to make time to read with a busy schedule can feel like you’re adding one more thing on an already packed to-do list.
And honestly, if you are an adult, you probably already have so much to do.
You probably wake up with your plans, and your day fills up quickly with those plans and other impromptu things that could come up.
By the end of the day, you are likely too tired to even look at a book. But you also know the benefits of reading, so you’re wondering how to fit reading in despite having a busy schedule.
Well, firstly, it’s not impossible.
Secondly, reading does not require long, perfect hours of silence. You can naturally and practically build it into your life, and you’d be amazed how much difference that can make.
But more importantly, if you stop treating reading like a big task, you’ll see that it’s easy o stick with it.
Let me show you how.
How to Make Time to Read with a Busy Schedule
1. Read in Small Chunks
You do not need two free hours to read. In fact, waiting for that kind of time is why many people never start.
All you have to do to make progress reading is to take advantage of the little chunks of free time you have throughout the day.
So, instead of waiting, aim for small pockets. For example,
- 5 pages in the morning before you leave your bed
- 10 minutes during lunch
- A few pages before you sleep
And yes, at first, it might feel like it is too little to matter, but it adds up faster than you think. If you read just 10 pages a day, that is about 300 pages in a month. And that is a full book.
2. Leverage Technology
Our phones are honestly the best and worst thing that can happen to us, depending on how we use it. That means your phone can either distract you or help you read more; it all depends on you.
So, instead of spending time scrolling endlessly on social media, download reading apps like Kindle or any ebook app you like. Or try audiobooks when your eyes are tired but your ears are free.
The great thing about ebooks is that you get to carry your book everywhere.
One of the tips to make time to read with a busy schedule is to carry a book around. But I understand that it might not be practical for everybody if you’re dealing with a big book in a small bag. That’s why I didn’t make it a standalone point.
However, if you can do that, please do; it really helps you read in times when you have to wait or are idle, but more on that later.
Either way, technology solves the mobility problem because the book is right in your phone. So you can read anytime.
Again, instead of scrolling, you can read while commuting, while doing chores like cooking or cleaning, or during walks.
And audiobooks especially help when you feel like you do not have the energy to sit and read. Using it gets you to still consume the book, just in a different way.
Also Read: 7 Must-Have Reading Apps to Download as a Book Lover
3. Schedule Reading Times
You may be reading this expecting that you won’t have to be disciplined. The truth is that there’s no way you can actually read without being disciplined.
So, a good way to achieve this is to schedule reading times. Because if it is not scheduled, it probably will not happen.
You do not need anything rigid. Just pick a time that already fits into your routine. It could be right after breakfast, before bed, or during your lunch break.
Whatever works for you, just make sure to treat it like a small appointment with yourself that you cannot afford to miss. Even if all you can spare is 15 minutes, it is better than nothing.
4. Leverage Waiting Times
A lot of things require us to wait far more than we realize. For example, we wait for food, wait for a meeting, wait in traffic, or wait for someone who said “I’m almost there.”
The only thing is that many of us spend it on social media. Instead of doing that, open your book.
That’s why you should keep a book or reading app handy so you can jump in quickly. Even if it is just 3 to 5 minutes, that is still progress.
If you do this often, you will use those small waiting moments that are often wasted judiciously.
5. Read Multiple Books at Once
I know this sounds counterproductive, but it actually helps.
At least, for me, I know one of the reasons I give up on reading sometimes is when I’m not enjoying the book. So, instead of reading one book, you can mix it with other books.
Also, different moods call for different types of books. Some days, you want something light. Other days, something deeper.
So you can have:
- One easy, fun book
- One serious or educational book
- Maybe an audiobook for when you are on the move
This way, you’re never stuck thinking, “I don’t feel like reading this”, and then give up. You can simply switch to another.
6. Drop Books You Don’t Enjoy
I don’t know who taught us that we must finish a book just because we started it. Sadly, this mentality turns many people off reading because they don’t find it enjoyable.
In fact, that is one of the fastest ways to stop reading altogether. So, if a book feels like a chore, let it go.
Reading should not feel like punishment, especially when you are already trying to make time to read with a busy schedule. You need books that pull you in, not ones you have to drag yourself through.
So give yourself permission to stop and pick something better. It keeps your reading habit alive.
Also Read: 7 Ways to Cultivate a Reading Habit
7. Combine It with an Enjoyable Habit
Pair reading with something you already enjoy.
For example:
- Read while drinking your morning coffee
- Listen to an audiobook while taking a walk
- Read before bed as a way to wind down
This works because you are not creating a brand new habit from scratch. You are attaching reading to something that already exists in your routine.
And soon enough, your brain will associate that activity with reading, and it will become automatic.
8. Use It to Detox Digitally
Sometimes the issue is not that you do not have time; it is that your time is already taken by your phone.
So, how about replacing even a small part of your screen time with reading? For example, you can decide that there will be no social media for 20 minutes at night; just reading.
Or you can decide to pick up a book first thing in the morning instead of your phone
The good thing about this tip is that you get to digitally detox and you can get some reading as well; that’s basically killing two birds with one stone.
9. Get Accountability
Another way to make time to read with a busy schedule is to get accountability. Because it is easier to stay consistent when someone else is involved than to be self-motivated.
So, consider accountability. Some good ways to do that is to:
- Join a book club
- Read with a friend
- Share your reading goals online and invite others
Even something simple like telling a friend, “I want to finish this book this week,” can push you to actually do it.
Because now, it is not just in your head; someone else knows. And that small sense of responsibility can keep you going, even on busy days.
Also Read: 8 Best Social Networking Sites for Readers
Conclusion
Trying to make time to read with a busy schedule is not really about finding more time; it is about using the time you already have differently.
And once you start small, stay flexible, and make reading fit into your life instead of forcing your life around it.
When you do that, it becomes easier to keep going.
Frequently Asked Questions
1. How many minutes should I read daily if I am busy?
Even 10 to 15 minutes is enough. What matters most is consistency. Reading a little every day will always beat reading a lot once in a while.
2. Is listening to audiobooks the same as reading?
It still counts. You are absorbing the same ideas and stories, just through listening. It is especially helpful when you are multitasking or too tired to read physically.
3. What if I keep forgetting to read?
Tie it to something you already do daily, like eating breakfast or going to bed. That makes it easier to remember because it becomes part of your routine.
4. How do I stay focused while reading?
Start with shorter sessions. Put your phone away or on silent. And choose books that actually interest you. Focus becomes easier when you are genuinely engaged.
5. Can I really finish books with a busy schedule?
Yes, you can. It just happens in bits and pieces. A few pages here, a few minutes there, and before you realise it, you have finished a whole book without needing large chunks of free time.
