Lessons learned: Fixed reading times

My micro experiment of fixed reading times is over and I have to admit that it was not a success. I struggled to follow through and actually sit down to read. Some days I didn’t even have time when my calendar reminded me to read.

The big issue is that I currently don’t see a strong enough reason to prioritize reading. I’m putting a lot of time and mental energy into work right now. Not just because it’s urgent, but because I genuinely believe that making progress in my project has better long-term benefits than scaling back on that to focus my mental energy on reading. And in my free time, there are always other activities that feel more engaging and worthwhile.

The main reason I wanted to read more was for learning and growth. But since there’s nothing pressing that I feel the need to learn about right now, I struggle to find a book that truly grabs me and keeps me engaged.

What I’ve learned is that fixed reading times aren’t the solution. I did still read over the past month, but only when I felt like it and less than I had hoped for. Maybe I’m putting too much pressure on myself with the expectation of reading and learning a lot. I think it might be better for me to let go of that expectation and simply focus on curiosity. Choosing books that genuinely interest me, whether or not I learn something from them or feel like I “should” read them.