Member-only story
How to Finally Reach Your Reading Goals Next Year
#1. Pick your books ahead of time.
I started challenging myself to read a specific number of books five years ago, and I’ve reached my goal three years in a row. This year, my goal was to read forty-eight books, and in 2020, I plan to read fifty-two.
While that’s only four more books than in 2019, the idea that I’ll (basically) have to read one book per week is challenging and exciting.
Pick the right goal
If you want to set a reading goal, you have to choose the right number of books. It needs to be challenging and compelling enough.
If you choose an intimidating number, you’ll be too overwhelmed to enjoy reading. I’m not one to tell people to be realistic, but in this case, you have to be. If you want to up your goal from last year, don’t aim higher than ten more. For example, if you read thirty books, aim for forty.
“Books are a uniquely portable magic.” — Stephen King
If you decide on too little books, then it won’t be stimulating enough, and that’s part of the fun. Pick your goal now, and once you have, keep reading to find out how to reach your target.