The Perfect Reading Routine for Women Committed to Personal Growth

Let's talk about reading routines. 

You want to grow as a person, and you know reading can help. But life gets busy, right? Work, family, and everything else eat up your time.

Trust me, I get it. Without a solid plan, those books you want to read gather dust. And your personal growth? It stalls.

But there’s good news. You can create a reading routine that works for you. Yes, even with your packed calendar.

In this post, I'll explain what makes a great reading routine. Plus, I'll share three easy strategies to make reading a regular part of your life. 

By the end, you'll have a roadmap to kick-start your perfect reading habit.

woman's hand ready to turn page in book

What is the perfect reading routine for personal growth?

Let's break it down in simple terms. 

The perfect reading routine is about picking the right books for your goals and then implementing what you learn.

And here's the cool part—as you keep at it, you’ll see changes in your life. 

You may become a better communicator. Or you learn how to bake the perfect sponge cake. Maybe you find new ones to manage stress. Or perhaps you’re inspired to make over your personal finance plan. The possibilities are endless.

A good reading routine should feel less like a chore and more like a mini-adventure. It's your personal time to grow, learn, and dream big. So, are you ready to create your perfect reading routine?

Strategy #1: Set the Stage for Success

closed book on glass table top

Setting the stage for success means creating the right environment for focused reading. This matters because where and when you read affects how much you absorb.

Many women start a reading routine with good intentions. But they try to read in noisy spaces or when they're exhausted. It doesn't work out.

The result? They feel frustrated and give up on their reading goals.

So, what’s the fix? Create a cozy reading spot and pick the right time to read.

Here are some practical tips to get you started.

1. Design your reading nook

  • Choose a quiet corner in your home with a comfortable chair or cushions.

  • Add good lighting - a lamp with warm light works well.

  • Keep a small table nearby for your drink and a notebook.

2. Find your golden hour

  • Experiment with different times of the day.

  • Try early morning before the house wakes up.

  • Or maybe late evening works better for you.

  • Pay attention to when you feel most alert and focused.

3. Minimize distractions

  • Put your phone on silent or leave it in another room.

  • Use noise-canceling headphones if needed.

  • Let family members know your reading time is “do not disturb” time.

4. Start small

  • Begin with just 15 minutes a day.

  • Gradually increase as the habit forms.

Example 1: 

Sarah, a busy mom of two, struggled to find time for reading. She decided to wake up 30 minutes earlier each day. 

She set up a small reading corner in her bedroom with a comfy armchair and a reading lamp. Now, she enjoys her books with her morning coffee before the day's chaos begins. 

This simple change helped her read consistently and kick-start her personal growth journey.

Example 2:

On the other hand, we have Lisa, a night owl who works long hours at her startup. Mornings were never her thing, so she created an evening reading ritual instead. 

She sets a gentle alarm for 9:30 PM, signaling the start of her reading time. She puts away her devices, makes a cup of herbal tea, and settles into her favorite armchair with a soft throw blanket. She spends the next 45 minutes immersed in her current book. 

This evening routine helps Lisa unwind from her hectic day and helps her consistently make time for personal growth, even with her demanding schedule.

Remember, the goal is to make reading feel like a treat, not a chore. Experiment to see what works for you. Your perfect reading spot and time are out there—you just need to find them.

Strategy #2: Curate Your Reading List

standing woman flipping through a book

Curating your reading list is about choosing books that truly matter to you. You want to pick books that align with your goals and keep you excited about reading.

This step is crucial because reading the right books can fast-track your growth. But the wrong ones bore you or feel like a waste of time. You end up with a shelf full of half-read books and feelings of guilt.

How can you avoid this? Be intentional about what you read. Choose books that speak to you and your current life stage.

Here are some practical tips for curating your perfect reading list:

1. Use the PIE method to choose your books

  •    Personal Interest: Books you're genuinely curious about.

  •    Information: Books that teach you something useful.

  •    Expansion: Books that challenge your current views.

2. Mix it up

  •    Alternate between fiction and non-fiction.

  •    Try different formats—physical books, e-books, audiobooks.

  •    Include a variety of topics to keep things fresh.

3. Get recommendations

  •    Ask friends with similar interests.

  •    Join online book clubs or forums.

  •    Use apps like Goodreads to find books based on your preferences.

4. Preview before committing

  •    Read the book's introduction and table of contents.

  •    Skim a few pages to get a feel for the writing style.

  •    Check out reviews, but don't let them completely sway you.

Example 1:

Maya, a marketing professional, used to pick up random self-help books. She'd read a few chapters, get bored, and move on. Feeling frustrated, she decided to be more strategic. 

She made a list of skills she wanted to improve at work, like public speaking and data analysis. Then, she researched the best books in these areas. She also added a few novels set in different cultures to broaden her perspective. 

With her curated list, Maya eagerly made time to read each day.

Example 2:

In contrast, we have Tara, a stay-at-home mom returning to work. 

She felt overwhelmed by all the career advice books out there. So, she took a different approach. 

Tara started with her personal interests first. She loved mysteries and realized many had strong, career-driven female leads. 

She chose a mix of these novels, and a few highly-rated books on confidence-building and interview skills. 

By balancing her love for fiction with practical career books, Tara found her reading time enjoyable and useful for her transition back to work.

Remember, your reading list should excite you. It's okay to put down a book if it's not serving you. Your time is valuable, so fill it with books that resonate with your personal growth journey.

Strategy #3: Implement Active Reading Techniques

woman writing in journal

Active reading is engaging with your books, not just passively skimming the pages. It's a way to get more out of your reading time and really absorb what you're learning.

This strategy helps you remember and apply what you read. Without it, you might finish a book but never implement what you learned.

Active reading is a way to fix that. 

Here are some practical tips for active reading:

1. Take notes

  •    Highlight key points or use sticky notes.

  •    Write down questions or thoughts in the margins.

  •    Summarize the main ideas in your own words.

2. Pause and reflect

  •    Stop at the end of each chapter to think about what you've read.

  •    Ask yourself how you can apply these ideas to your life.

  •    Try to explain the key concepts to an imaginary friend.

3. Connect ideas

  •    Look for links between what you're reading and your own experiences.

  •    Think about how this book relates to others you've read.

  •    Consider how different authors might agree or disagree on topics.

Example 1:

Emma, a teacher, used to read personal development books quickly, eager to move on to the next one. She'd feel inspired while reading but struggle to implement changes in her life. 

Then, she tried active reading. While reading a book on effective communication, Emma highlighted the main ideas and wrote notes in the margins. 

At the end of each chapter, she'd take a few minutes to jot down how to use these techniques in her classroom. 

This approach helped her retain the information better and made noticeable improvements in her teaching style.

Example 2:

On the flip side, we have Olivia, an introvert who prefers to process information internally. Traditional note-taking felt unnatural to her. Instead, she found success with a different active reading approach. 

After each reading session, Olivia would record a short voice memo on her phone, summarizing what she'd learned and how she might apply it. She then listened to these memos during her commute, reinforcing the ideas. 

This method allowed her to engage deeply with the material in a way that suited her reflective nature.

Active reading is all about making the book work for you, not the other way around. Try different ways to engage with your books until you find what clicks. The magic happens when those pages speak directly to your life and goals. 

Putting it All Together for Your Perfect Reading Routine

woman lying on couch reading

There you have it! Three strategies for creating your perfect reading routine for personal growth.

It may sound like a lot, but like most things, practice makes perfect. Just focus on implementing one strategy at a time. This will help you build a sustainable reading habit and start seeing real progress in your personal development journey.

Other Recommended Reads

If you enjoy The Perfect Reading Routine, you might also like:

Jennifer Letters

Jennifer Letters is the personal development pen name for book curator Jennifer Ayling.

Previous
Previous

Start Finishing: How To Go From Idea To Done

Next
Next

Unfinished Books Aren't Wasted Time—Here's Why