Are you that friend who always seems to be devouring books at an enviable pace? The one who routinely walks into parties already 300 pages deep into the latest buzzed-about novel, casually dropping plot details while the rest of us plead the fifth on literary affairs?
Or are you, perhaps, the polar opposite – a self-professed bookworm sadly watching their novel negligence reach new lows as another year passes? The unchanged bookmark peeking out from that bedside tome is an ever-present reminder of your slipping reading habits.
Well, whichever camp you fall into, something tells me we’d all like a little more consistency and intentionality behind our personal reading games. Setting clearly defined reading goals, and outlining a realistic roadmap for actually achieving them, is a brilliant way to instill that proactive library time as just another seamless part of your routine. One you start looking forward to, not guiltily putting off!
As a lifelong bibliophile who’s run the full gamut of reading resolution triumphs and failures over the years, I’ve landed on a few tried-and-true strategies for not just setting worthy reading goals – but smashing straight through ’em. From quantifying your ambitions to hacking simple lifestyle tweaks, here’s a step-by-step guide for designing your own reading roadmap in 2024.
First Thing’s First: Define What You Want to Achieve
Raise your hand if you’ve impulsively jotted down “Read more!” as a New Year’s resolution, only to promptly abandon that laughably vague goal by Presidents’ Day? Don’t be shy; we’ve all been there! The problem, of course, is that overly broad reading aspirations offer no actual incentive, mile markers or endpoint to strive towards.
That’s why Step 1 of your personal reading goals playbook requires clearly defining what, exactly, your objectives are for the coming year. Is it a certain number of books you want to read, or are you aiming more for variety in authors and genres? Perhaps you have a specific series or list of classics you’ve been meaning to finally tackle? Or maybe your goal is more about blocking off consistent reading time amidst your hectic schedule?
Whatever that nagging literary mission is that you keep putting off, get it solidified! Write it down, set up a cute reading journal or tracker, and put it somewhere highly visible as a constant motivational reminder. Starting with granular, actionable goals is the only way your initiative will last beyond winter thaw.
Get SMART With It: Make Those Goals Specific and Achievable
Okay, so you’ve identified your big-picture reading goals for 2024. Now how do you ensure they remain a productive source of inspiration, not a daunting mountain to climb? For that crucial element of realistic staying power, I’m a huge proponent of the classic “SMART” goals system:
- Specific – Rather than “read more books,” define a specific number or timeline that’s reasonable but still a slight stretch.
- Measurable – Build in clear progress tracking (a book log, dedicated Reading app, etc)
- Attainable – Is this an ambitious yet physically attainable goal with hard work? Be honest!
- Relevant – Make sure this goal is personally motivating and aligns with your greater passions
- Time-Based – Set a defined start and endpoint for this reading goal mission
For instance, if your main reading goal is “read 50 books across at least 8 different genres by December 31, 2024 and track with a fun sticker chart,” you’ve already hit all the SMART benchmarks for cementing a productive, energizing initiative! Little componentry like genres, book tracking methods and deadlines instantly add structure and realism to even the loftiest literary aims.
You Can’t Bake a Cake Without Ingredients: Making Time & Space
Critically evaluating your upcoming availability to dedicate quality reading hours is the next crucial step of the goal-setting process. After all, the path to Page Turner’s Hell is paved with overzealous ambitions and no actual plan for accommodating your hobby!
Scout out all the hidden pockets of your daily schedule where you may already be wasting time mindlessly scrolling or zoning out. Your commute, watching TV, waiting out various appointments…you get the idea. By simply swapping in a paperback or e-reader during these transition periods, you could easily snag 1-2 bonus reading hours per day without much heavy lifting.
And while you’re at it, take stock of any cozy, distraction-free nooks around your home, office or local spots that beckon to be transformed into your personal Reading Zone. Appeal to all your senses here—maybe spruce up that sunroom corner with plush pillows, good lighting and aromatherapy candles for maximum relaxation and focus? Or pep up your morning bus rides with a curated audiobook queue to thwart on-the-go boredom?
Design Your Own Game Board: Monthly and Quarterly Check-Ins
In my experience, the absolute most powerful play for sticking to any ambitious self-guided goal is frequent milestone check-ins to track your progress, troubleshoot, and reward yourself along the way. Your brain loves that delicious dopamine hit of checking off boxes and celebrating little wins – so build that gratification into your reading goal!
A simple way to do this is by creating a visual representation of your overarching annual reading goal, then breaking it down into actionable mini-goals each month and quarter. Let’s say you’re gunning for 50 books total by December 31st. Your monthly baseline would be around 4 books, while after Q1 your target should be 12 down, Q2 brings you to book 24, and so on.
Literally map this out on a big wall calendar or dry erase board you can routinely update – that way you’re always facing manageable short-term objectives rather than a daunting lump sum.
Pro tip: pepper in favorite snacks, experiences or self-care treats as by-quarter “level up” prizes to really incentivize those bibliophile achievements!
Join a Reading Community for Accountability
Not gonna lie…even us heroic lone wolves of the literary world need an accountability squad from time to time to keep us sharp and on-task. Few things spike motivation like seeing your friend hit a major reading goal milestone. Or being in a book club where you’ll disappoint the whole gang if you show up unprepared next session.
So I highly advise intertwining a solid community element into your personal reading goals for that social push factor. This can take many different forms:
- Join an active Goodreads group dedicated to one of your goal categories (classics, quarterly challenges, etc)
- Start or stick with a read-along or virtual book club to create external deadlines
- Find an IRL accountability buddy who’ll text you reminders and celebratory GIFs
- Check if any local libraries or bookstores offer rewards programs for avid readers
The key is surrounding yourself with positive peer pressure from like-minded individuals pursuing similar aims. That supportive camaraderie and healthy competition goes a long way when your drive starts waning!
Wiggle Room Is a Reader’s Best Friend
Hear me out on this one, because as a perfectionist-leaning bookworm, it physically pains me to even type these words: give yourself permission for grace and wiggle room as you work towards your reading goals. Burnout is the sworn enemy of any lasting passion pursuit!
I mean, let’s be real—life gets messy sometimes. Work slams you with a huge deadline out of nowhere. A nasty flu sidetracks your momentum for a few weeks straight. Your grandma’s bougie book club votes for a literary snooze-fest that’s putting you into a coma. When (not if) that inevitable rain temporarily derails your regimented reading train, don’t beat yourself up!
The beauty of building those month-to-month benchmarks into your overarching goal is having periodic “rest stops” to realign and adjust course as needed. Ditch the completionist mentality of powering through at all costs—that’s a surefire way to kill your inner bibliophile’s vibe. Carving out pockets of flexibility is key to creating a self-care reading routine you’ll actually stick with long-term.
Read All About It: Start Today!
There’s honestly no better time to start setting those reading goals and seeing them through than RIGHT NOW. Not after that big work project concludes, not in Q2 when you ideally picture more downtime, and certainly not next New Year.
If you’re anything like the rest of us mere literary mortals, you’ll always find a reason to push those bookish ambitions aside, leaving your personal growth goals gathering dust for yet another 365-day cycle. So why not go ahead and start mapping things out, making that initial list and scheduling some reading windows into your calendar?
Don’t worry about having some lofty, overly structured master plan just yet. Just start layering in sustainable habits and adjusting them over time as you learn what reading cadences and formats best suit your lifestyle. For now, choose a book you’ve been wanting to start and block off an evening to savor that first chapter, uninterrupted.
Before you know it, inspiration will begin flooding in—you’ll start pondering new titles to request next, genres you haven’t explored in ages, or personal records you want to topple. Just like any new habit or routine we choose to prioritize, that consistent reading time will blossom into your new favorite self-care ritual for the mind and soul. And think of all the fascinating worlds, characters and stories awaiting you with each turned page!
So dust off those shelves, brew a fresh pot of tea, and designate your favorite cozy reading chair, because 2024 is prime-time for leveling up your literary game. By setting purposeful goals and maintaining wiggle room to make your “musts” enjoyable again, you’re well on your way to becoming a voracious bookworm for the ages!