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Ask HN: Do You Schedule Reading?

by digitalsanctum on 4/13/23, 6:07 PM with 2 comments

I've been struggling to find time or prioritize reading. I have an expanding stack of books and online reading list to read and I rarely sit down and give attention to either for more than a few minutes. I inevitably get pulled into something like a Slack message, a phone call or just random stuff.

One solution I've thought about is actually blocking time on my calendar to do nothing but read and setting aside a place in my house (that's away from a computer) to designate for reading.

Do you schedule reading? What other "reading hacks" do you employ?

  • by surprisetalk on 4/13/23, 6:34 PM

    1. I love listening to audiobooks when I'm doing chores or in the car. I usually end up completing 4-6 books (25 hours at 2x speed) per month from this.

    2. I don't bring my phone in my room, so I keep a stack of nonfiction books next to my bed. I usually go through 1-3 chapters per day.

    Personally, I don't think you need to "prioritize" reading. I think trying to cut down on distractions is a better goal, and if you naturally read more, then great.

    For me, the best ways to kill distractions: (1) extinguish all notifications and (2) ask a friend/family/coworker to put parental controls on your phone for tempting apps.

  • by pamoroso on 4/13/23, 6:21 PM

    I don't schedule reading as it comes natural to me. I queue for reading only material I'm intensely passionate about or look forward to discovering or learning more, then finding time is easy as it's something I highly anticipate.