Finding time to read more can be a real challenge. Add young children into the mix and it can be near impossible. So how do you manage your time better so that you can still have time with your kids and time to read and absorb knowledge.

Knowledge is life.

Knowledge feeds wisdom.

Without knowledge we die.

If you’re a Dad who’s looking to improve your life and situation, you’ll want to read more. Whether that’s books, articles, journals or blog posts – reading should be a priority in your day to day life (Follow me on Twitter for regular book and blog recommendations).

Reading can also be immensely enjoyable, relaxing and stimulating. I don’t read as much fiction as I used to but I love a good historical novel where I can feel immersed completely in another world and another time.

Classics are also great: War and Peace, the Brothers Karamazov and Heart of Darkness will teach you more about being a man and being a father than a million mediocre Dad Blogs will.

But time is short.

By the time you’ve trained, worked and generally been an awesome Dad (and even husband) there’s not many hours left in the day to sit with a book or your Kindle.

So what are the solutions to this problem? There must be ways to read without sacrificing other important parts of your day.

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Early Mornings are When You Do Your Best Work

Lets face it: Long lies are done.

I mean they’re over. For ever.

By the time you’re kids sleep in, you’ll have lost the ability completely.

Which is fine by me. I spent some of my prime years lying uselessly in bed. I’m making up for lost time.

The mornings are when I do my best work. I’m sharper, more focused and generally less hyped up on caffeine. I also take time to read.

I’ll purposely get up an hour before everyone else so I can prepare breakfast and get in a good 30 minutes of reading while I eat. A Kindle is great for mealtime reading as there are no pages to turn.

I prefer non-fiction books on business or writing techniques at this time as they are easier to dip in and out of than fiction.

Read More by Using Work Breaks Productively

If you work in an office, you should be taking regular screen breaks. These are a chance to walk around and rest your eyes from the all pervasive blue light you’ve been subjected to since the age of 21.

I would also advise taking a lunch break. Go somewhere where you won’t be distracted and read. Even if its for 20 minutes, while you drink your 5th coffee, that’s better than nothing.

If you’re heading to a meeting, allow for extra time for delays. If you arrive early, read for a few minutes. You’ll feel calmer when your meeting starts.

If you travel with work, always take plenty to read. I do some of my best reading when I’m away from home. Last time I traveled I read two of the books from my February reading list.

I read most of Gorilla Mindset (the first time) during work breaks and travel.

If you see articles that interest you while scrolling Twitter, email them to yourself for future reading.

Go to Bed Earlier. And Read

When was the last time there was something good on T.V. after 10pm? Seriously?

Even the news is poorly produced – more features and opinions than real news.

Could you be using that time better? If you’d normally hit the hay at 10.30, give yourself an extra half hour to read.

Reading before bed could even help your sleep better.

A study by the University of Sussex in the UK found that reading could reduce stress levels by almost 70%. Less stress equals better sleep.

Important if you’re expecting night time feeds, nappy changes or general ‘I had a nightmare, Daddy’ interruptions.

Something ‘light’ is probably best at this time of night. I recently read a history of the Cold War in my bedtime reading slot. It led to some very bizarre dreams. Lighter fiction or biography is probably a better choice.

I recently finished this short book by environmental campaigner George Monbiot. It was well written and entertaining.

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Audio Books Transform a Long Commute

Audio books are your secret weapon.

Audio books can transform any commute (driving or otherwise) into a journey of learning and discovery. Now that the digital age is here, you don’t even need to fumble around with CDs at traffic lights either.

Now you can read more with out actually doing any reading!

I’ve just finished listening to Great by Choice by Jim Collins which was a fascinating book with some astounding discoveries and business concepts (buy it here). It was narrated by the author which can really add to non fiction titles as the author explains and nuances more than a hired voice artist.

I stay away from fiction when I’m driving – sometimes I’ll need to focus on the road fully and I’ll ‘tune out’ of the audio. Miss a crucial part of the story and you’ll have to go back.

There are Few Legitimate Excuses for Not Reading More

These are my top tips on how to read more. If you have any of your own, share them in the comments below. Time is precious – no one is making any more of it. How you use it makes all the difference.

Try to read quality. Trashy airport fiction has its place – left there on the shelf. There are so many other great works to read. Make time to read them and reap the benefits.

 

P.S. I’ve got more book reviews coming soon.

P.P.S Read a good book lately? Let me know, I love a good recommendation. Also check out 52 in 52 Weeks and 30 Days To X for some great book recommendations.

 

About Neil M White

Neil has been writing for a number of years. He has worked as a freelance writer both in the UK and internationally and has worked on a number of high profile media projects. Neil spends his spare time hiking, in the gym or hanging out with his family.

2 comments add your comment

  1. I’m a great fan of reading before bedtime, little legs is lying there dreaming about fluffy toys and warm milk and it gives me time to dial down before lights out. I was using my phone with the kindle app but it was still to bright and stimulating before going to sleep so now it old school paper backs for me and it works a treat in the 2 months I’ve been doing it I’ve gone through 5 books my only problem is staying up later than I should because it’s such a good read.

    • That’s great to hear Allan. Yes I love the bed time reading slot too. It’s tricky if you’re ‘rooming-in’ but you just need to find a way to make it happen. I don’t like looking at screens right before bed so a paperback is a good choice.

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