Eager to increase your income? Here is one healthy habit that may help!

A study published in the Economic Journal predicts that voracious readers rake in 21% more than their counterparts who are fans of the written word.

The good news is, you are doing it right now! But how do you find time for longer content like books? Luckily, you really don't have to read that many.

They Found The Magic Number Is 10

Readers with ten pleasure books under their belt annually saw a correlation with higher income. That is less than 1 book per month.

That's not a lot of reading. Reading and I just slowly grew apart. Like a friend you don't see anymore who just sort of drifts away.

I've decided, in a very unscientific manner, to read ten books in 2023 and see if I notice a change. I don't expect to earn more, but will I improve any skills?

I am A Single Mom. How On Earth Will I Do This?

Seriously... As a busy adult, I can barely find time to shower. When I was young, I could stay up all night reading a great book. Now I am lucky if I get a few in a year.

There are a lot of people like me. Our schedules are filled up with work and other responsibilities, and we don't read for ourselves anymore.

I have two kids and an enormous dog. It looks like elephants live in my house some days. I'm cleaning, cooking, playing, and wiping snot in the hours that used to be spent curled up with a good book.

When I do, I am so exhausted I fall asleep in my book! If you find yourself in this situation, you're not alone.

If you wish to join me in getting more mindful about reading, here are a few things I have committed to doing.

Set Aside Dedicated Reading Time

This could be a specific time each day or week that you reserve for reading. For example, you might wake up a little earlier to read before starting your workday, or you might set aside time on the weekends to catch up on your reading.

Microdose Reading

If you have short bursts of free time during the day, read! Instead of answering emails or hopping on social media, pull out a book or e-reader. Read a few pages on the train or bus on your way to work, or during your lunch break.

Listen to audiobooks

I have said it before, and I will say it again: audiobooks count. They absolutely count, they are valid. This can be a great way to make use of otherwise boring tasks like cleaning or driving.

Use Tech

Make it easier to read on the go. Use a reading app that allows you to save your place and pick up where you left off on different devices. Google Chrome will read to you while you work, garden, or cook dinner.

Prioritize Reading

Consider cutting back on other activities (doomscrolling) or tasks (shopping for things you don't need) that are less important. Schedule it in a planner. Post this article. Ask a friend who responds to join the challenge. Now you have an accountability buddy.

Find Your Local Library

Finances are tight and libraries could use our support more than space billionaires. Go old school and find your local library to engage in this challenge. No need to spend a dime reading 10 books in 2023. You could even get folksy and take some old books down to a little free library to Swap them out for titles of your choice.

Most libraries have digital lending and can deliver popular titles in e-Book format. So you can hole up in your house and still read for free!

Start

Just start! I have audible credits and books sitting on my Kindle to read. I have free PDF downloads of at least two books to read. And, I have a cold! It took me twice as long to write this as it normally would. My brain is foggy. It's time to let someone else do the writing.

I'm going to start right now. How about you?