I can’t sit down and read a book.

DaBigOx · 2021-01-12T11:59:52+00:00

I've already read 12 books this year, so yeah, I have a few strategies for reading.

When my eyes glaze over and I get bored, I switch to reading another book. At any given time I am reading 3 to 5 books at a time. Have some fun books to read that you actually enjoy that you could switch to.

Another one is to consume other resources and go back to reading your book. For instance, you are reading a novel and get confused. Go and listen to some Youtube videos discussing theories and analysing the book. You now have better context to comprehend the book during your re-read of the same chapter. The same logic goes for reading a textbook.

Another one that I employ when I get frustrated, antsy, or lose focus is to stand up while reading, and then alternate that with pacing around while reading.

You could also put more investment into the book by creating a list of books you actually want to read. For instance, someone tells you to read Think and Grow Rich by Napoleon Hill. So you research it and find out it has 800 pages, is written in 1937 and its language is outdated. So you decide to not read it. You come across another book recommendation and in your research you find that it is a suitable read. So maybe qualify your reading list first.

When it comes to "boring but essential to read" books like Think and Grow Rich just make the commitment to read it through sheer will and brute force - but instead of reading it one go, plan to attack it in pieces. So you already know that you get bored after 3 to 4 pages then just read 2 to 3 everyday.

For books that give you a lot of value like Verbal Judo by George Thompson, it is a good idea to make notes as you read through it - even if you only read 2 to 3 pages at a time. Writing things down helps you process information faster and better than just reading it. But don't take it so seriously as you would studying for an exam since you are just reading for your own leisure.

Since you are here on TRP you might have already come across suggestions to practice Mindfulness or Meditation? I find that these two practices actually help you become a better reader. So when I find it hard to settle in to a book or start reading, I focus on mindfulness exercises like box breathing before then getting into the book.

You could also put on some meditative or reflective music in the background while reading. You might find some more value in orchestral music from the music scores of your favourite video game, movie or tv show. Baroque or classical music has also been scientifically proven to enhance studying.

lunidoesitright · 2021-01-12T11:46:15+00:00

Try meditation. Your mind might be too chaotic. Learn how to be mindful.

bootysauce · 2021-01-12T12:52:21+00:00

You should read the book Atomic Habits as it really helped me with this. you can find the pdf online

discohumpty · 2021-01-12T11:59:24+00:00

It's of course an issue of focus. Sounds like you need a lot of stimulation / get a lot of stimulation throughout the week.

One obvious suggestion is start practicing mediation to help with focus and to have your brain be able to in eliminate mental distractions more effectively.

Another is to not have your phone around while reading. Your brain sees the cell as a far better dopamine hit. All the exercise and work also serve as dopamine hits so you need to learn to be able to relax without needing a drip.

That said, you might not be giving your mind enough motivation or reasons that reading is a far superior action than other possible activities at that time. You have to genuinely want to read, out of enjoyment or interest, and also think it will greatly benefit you.

Lastly, there's a good chance there's a mix of some of the above along with you reading things that are too complex with your current state of mind. Not an affront to your intelligence (although if you haven't read for most of your life, your brain isn't going to be equipped to read without practice just like someone can't start running 40 miles per week at the drop of a dime). You may be exhausted and you simply don't have the energy to read arbitrary literature. Reading still takes a lot of energy and books of course have various levels of difficulty. I typically have an option of two to three books to read from anytime I sit down and will choose based on my energy/focus level.

WolfofAllStreetz · 2021-01-12T13:35:03+00:00

Giant pile of adderall should fix this problem.

howtobered · 2021-01-12T14:20:39+00:00

You might have undiagnosed ADHD.

Either way, try out Pomodoro (25mins work, 5 mins break). Also, when you notice your mind starts to wander off, quiz yourself about the content and imagine you're explaining what the book is about to someone else. At least that's what works for me.

FrenCan16 · 2021-01-12T17:45:16+00:00

Focusing on reading is like a muscle, you have to work it. Almost everything modern people do operates on a short schizophrenic level of consciousness. Eventually our brain adapts to the accelerated stimuli and our attention spans shorten. My advice to you is to read everyday with a preset time block. Put your phone on silent mode in another room. Take an analog clock or watch and note the time, set an end time to your reading session. Get comfortable and sit quietly for a few minutes before you start reading, basically just long enough for your heart rate to drop to resting rate. Make sure to pick a book that really interests you (not whatever someone recommended to you) and start with a small time block, say 20 minutes and increase over a few sessions if that gets too easy.

vazeline200 · 2021-01-12T11:48:58+00:00

What are you reading and why are you reading it? What are you trying to get from reading?

MedicalInternal · 2021-01-12T13:06:15+00:00

Do you have a favorite book that you remember reading when you were younger? Read it again. Then read something new. And make sure you're interested in what you're reading about.

allahyardimciol · 2021-01-12T13:12:08+00:00

Try to reduce anything which requires short attention span like random scrolling and switching apps. If you just want to entertain yourself, go watch a movie or series (without your phone). Your brain will adapt to focusing on a task for longer period of time instead of switching all the time.

Ducthadon · 2021-01-12T13:36:30+00:00

Easy just like when you first started out training do light loads before moving up weights.

30 minutes a day(set an alarm) = 1 chapter depending on the book. Once you've done the 30, look at it in a positive way and how much you enjoyed the read. As you go on increase how much you read/time. Also any distractions like a phone get rid.

uslivewe · 2021-01-12T13:58:59+00:00

Same problem. I read them outloud to myself and take notes.

SnooSmart · 2021-01-12T16:06:40+00:00

Start tiny. Every day, just open the book, read one sentence and close it. Anything else is extra credit.

This'll help your brain wire in opening the book as a habit. From there, you'll eventually start slowly-but-surely reading more of the book as it'll become easier and easier.

LeatherBoundWisdom · 2021-01-12T18:38:43+00:00

I had this exact issue when I first started reading in my senior year of highschool. Reading is just like a muscle. Do it consistently everyday for as long as you can handle. Try very hard to focus. You will over time be able to read faster and for longer.

It also helps if you enjoy the book. I especially like 1800s or early 1900s adventure novels, they are often very based and improve your vocabulary. Count of Monte Cristo is a great one.

i-am-the-prize · 2021-01-12T18:50:27+00:00

try your ears instead of your eyes - get an Audible version of one of the books that interests you most, and listen to it when running.

some books you have to hit "back 30 seconds" a few times for the more dense sections, but then you can supplement with the printed/kindle version as needed.

i found that even hearing RP kindle books i'd already read when doing cardio had me catch other things and also let me put new thoughts together.

works for commuting too.

Meloxian · 2021-01-12T20:43:59+00:00

Audiobook

DubbleFUPAwitCheez · 2021-01-12T21:35:07+00:00

I always advise, if you're just starting out reading, find something you know you'll enjoy reading. When I wanted to get back into reading I got Jurassic Park. A movie I literally fell asleep watching every night as a kid for awhile. I had heard the book is different so I always wanted to read it. One of the easiest reads of my life, because I enjoyed it (it also brings up interesting questions) and the ball was rolling again.

Don't forget there is such a thing as bad writers. Consider not just the subject but the writing, since I'm assuming you're trying to read the self improvement schlock. People that know what they're talking about tend to have gotten their knowledge because they're passionate about it. If they can not convey that passion in writing then they probably don't know what they're talking about.

dr_warlock · 2021-01-12T23:52:58+00:00

Try audio books and podcasts. People absorb information differently.

2021-01-13T07:30:49+00:00

You have to make the mental correlation that reading and attaining knowledge improves your life.

It's the same as lifting. You have to know what you're going to get out of it. You're never going to be able to read if you're just reading for the sake of reading.

Flaky_Lakey · 2021-01-13T14:01:40+00:00

I really don't like reading books either. It's not that I can't, it's just that it's a big time investment.

Audible is your friend. Invest in a subscription and a pair of bluetooth wireless earpods and you can listen to books while you're doing all of the admin stuff (running, cleaning, cooking brushing teeth etc.)

Title	I can’t sit down and read a book.
Author	138nine
Upvotes	16
Comments	28
Date	January 12, 2021 11:17 AM UTC (3 years ago)
Subreddit	Posted in /r/askTRP
Original Link	https://old.reddit.com/r/asktrp/comments/kvpt47/i_cant_sit_down_and_read_a_book/
Archive Link	https://theredarchive.com/r/askTRP/i-cant-sit-down-and-read-a-book.735175 https://theredarchive.com/post/735175