How to Achieve Your Reading Goals in 2024 (and Why You Should)
Jan 21, 2024Do you love reading but find it hard to make it a habit? Do you want to read more books but don't know where to start or how to stay motivated?
This article is for you if you answered yes to any of these questions.
In this article, I will share my goal to read one book every two weeks in 2024 and why I encourage you to do the same. I will also give you some tips and tricks on choosing the right books, how to read faster and better, and how to track and celebrate your progress.
Reading is one of the best ways to learn new things, improve your skills, expand your knowledge, and have fun. Reading can also boost your creativity, memory, happiness, and health. But reading can be challenging. It requires time, attention, and discipline. That's why setting a clear and realistic goal can help you overcome the challenges and enjoy the benefits of reading regularly.
So, if you are ready to take your reading to the next level, keep reading and discover how to achieve your reading goals in 2024 (and why you should).
How I Set My Reading Goal
I have always loved reading, but I often found myself too busy, distracted, or tired to read as much as I wanted to. I would buy or borrow books but never finish them. I would start reading but I need to remember what I read. I would feel guilty and frustrated for not reading enough.
That's why, at the beginning of 2024, I set a clear and realistic reading goal: to read one book every two weeks, or 26 books in a year. I chose this goal because it was specific, measurable, achievable, relevant, and time-bound (SMART). It was specific enough to give me direction, measurable enough to track my progress, achievable enough to challenge me, relevant enough to align with my interests, and time-bound enough to create urgency.
To choose the books I wanted to read, I use a simple method: I started to make a list of 26 books I want to read or that are recommended to me by friends, family, or online sources. I tried to include a variety of genres, topics, and formats, such as fiction, non-fiction, biography, history, science, self-help, poetry, audiobook, eBook, and so on. I also left some slots open for new releases or spontaneous picks. Then, I assigned each book to two weeks and wrote down the title and the number of pages on a calendar.
How I Read Faster and Better
To read one book every two weeks, I must read faster and better. I learned techniques that helped me improve my reading speed and comprehension, such as skimming, scanning, summarizing, annotating, and reviewing. Skimming is reading the main points of a text, such as the title, the introduction, the conclusion, and the headings. Scanning is looking for specific information in a text, such as keywords, names, dates, or numbers. Summarizing is writing or saying the main idea of a text in your own words. Annotating is making notes or comments on a text, such as highlighting, underlining, or writing questions. Reviewing is going over a text again to reinforce your memory and understanding.
I also use tools and resources that helped me read faster and better, such as apps, websites, podcasts, and videos. For example, I use an app called Blinkist, which summarizes the key insights of non-fiction books in 15 minutes or less. I use a website called Goodreads, which helps me discover new books, track my reading, and join online book clubs. I listened to podcasts and watched videos that discussed or reviewed the books I read, such as Book Riot, The Book Review, or TEDx Talks.
I also found some tips and hacks on how to find more time and focus on reading, such as setting a schedule, creating a habit, eliminating distractions, or joining a book club. For example, I set a schedule to read at least 20 pages daily, about an hour of reading. I created a habit of reading in the morning before I started my work, or in the evening, before I went to bed. I eliminated distractions by turning off my phone, TV, or computer or using noise-cancelling headphones.
How I Track and Celebrate My Progress
To read one book every two weeks, I had to track my progress by using some methods, such as keeping a journal, using a spreadsheet, or updating a blog. I kept a journal where I wrote down the title, author, genre, and summary of each book I read, as well as my rating, review, and favorite quotes. I use a spreadsheet to record the number of pages, hours, and books I read daily, week, and month. I updated a blog where I posted my book reviews, recommendations, and learnings and invited feedback and comments from my readers.
Tracking my progress had many benefits, such as staying motivated, accountable, and organized. It helped me stay motivated by seeing how far I had come and how much I had learned. It helped me stay accountable by keeping me on track and reminding me of my goal. It helped me stay organized by helping me plan and manage my time.
I also celebrated my progress by rewarding myself, sharing my achievements, or reflecting on what I learned. I rewarded myself by treating myself to something I enjoyed, such as a movie, a meal, or a gift. I shared my achievements by posting them on social media, telling my friends and family, or writing a testimonial. I reflected on what I learned from each book by writing down what I learned from each book, how it changed my perspective, or how it applied to my life.
How I Plan to Achieve My Reading Goal
I track and measure my reading progress to achieve my reading goal and celebrate my achievements. I use a spreadsheet to record the title, author, genre, format, and number of pages of each book I read. I also rated each book on a scale of one to five stars and wrote a short review of what I liked or disliked. I use a chart to visualize my reading progress and see how many books I read each month and how many pages I read each day. After I finish a book, I celebrate my achievements by rewarding myself with something I enjoyed, such as a movie, a snack, or a nap.
I also face some challenges or difficulties along the way and overcame them. For example, sometimes I feel bored or unmotivated to read, especially if the book was too long, complex, or dull. To overcome this, I reminded myself why I set this goal first and how reading would benefit me in the long run. I also made reading more fun and engaging by choosing books that interested me, reading aloud, listening to music, or reading with a friend. Sometimes, I had to adjust my reading plan, switch to a different book, or skip a book altogether if I felt it was not worth my time or attention.
I hope to achieve my reading goal by the end of 2024 and I am very proud and happy with the way the year has started. I hope to learn a lot of new things, improve my vocabulary and grammar, expanded my perspective and imagination, and develop my critical thinking and creativity. I also influenced and inspired others to read more by sharing my reading journey on social media, recommending books to my friends and family, and participating in online and offline book communities.
Conclusion
Reading one book every two weeks was one of my best decisions in 2024. It helped me to enjoy reading more, to read faster and better, and to achieve my reading goal. I discovered new books, learned new skills, and had new experiences. I also inspired others to read more and joined a community of readers. Reading is a hobby, a lifestyle, a passion, and a purpose. If you want to read more, please set your reading goal, and follow the steps I shared in this article. You will be amazed by how much you can read and how much you can grow. Happy reading!
