A 5 Step Guide To Becoming A Better Reader

Becoming a better reader is easy if you have a goal. For some it may be to read 52 books in a year, for other’s it may be to improve focus when reading, and for others it may be to read multiple different formats of books in a month. There is so much to read and so little time, that’s what motivates me.

Reading often feels like a dying form of entertainment, especially in an age where attention itself has become a commodity. We’re living in an attention economy, and your focus is the price you pay.

And honestly, this isn’t your fault. Everywhere you turn, there are bright lights, endless colour, and carefully engineered platforms designed to pull you in. Instagram, TikTok, video games, television-they’re all built to be addictive. Of course, they can be great ways to unwind after a long day, but at their core, they are designed to keep you engaged for as long as possible.

The problem runs deeper than just distraction. At the heart of it is the algorithm. It feeds you what you already agree with, what feels familiar, what reinforces what you think you know. Over time, this limits your exposure to new ideas and independent thought. If you’re not careful, your world quietly shrinks, and with it, your ability to think outside of the box.

This constant pull on your attention makes it harder to invest it elsewhere, especially in something like reading. That’s why so many people now describe books as “boring” or feel like they simply can’t concentrate anymore.

But the real risk is bigger than losing interest in books. When you’re constantly being validated by your feed or numbed by endless scrolling, you start to lose your ability to think deeply and independently. Problem-solving becomes harder. Self-reflection becomes rarer. And without even realising it, you drift further away from your potential; which, to me, is a genuinely terrifying thought. I want so much more for you than that.

Because the truth is, not reading regularly doesn’t just affect your habits, it can affect your mind. Over time, it can contribute to cognitive decline, limit your vocabulary, weaken your focus, and reduce your capacity for empathy. And all of that can quietly shape, and limit, the opportunities available to you.

So this post is about changing that.

It’s about how to become a better reader, and five practical, realistic steps you can take to improve your life through reading.

How to Read More When Your Attention Feels Gone

First, the good news: your attention isn’t ruined.

It might feel that way, and it might not bounce back overnight, but with time and the right habits, it will recover. I know this because I’ve been there. I used to spend hours scrolling every single day, especially during the pandemic. Now, my daily screen time sits at around an hour, and I’ve found a way to take back control in a world designed to take it from me.

Here’s what helped.

Social media, gaming, and television all hook you in through dopamine- that quick, rewarding hit that keeps you coming back. So instead of fighting that, you can work with it.

Turn reading into a challenge.

Make it a game.

Some of my favourites are a 24-hour readathon for a full reset, or my winter reading challenge which is a lot more accessible for the busy full time worker. These give you a goal, a sense of progress, and that same rewarding feeling, but in a way that actually benefits you.

Over time, this starts to rewire what your brain looks forward to.

Instead of reaching for your phone, you begin to reach for your book.

And the benefits build naturally; your focus strengthens; your vocabulary expands; your thinking becomes clearer; your empathy deepens. And with that, your opportunities begin to grow too.

More than anything, though, you’ll notice a shift in how you feel.

You’ll feel calmer. More inspired. More motivated. Your thoughts will feel clearer, less cluttered. And slowly, but surely, you’ll start to feel back in control of your own life again.

5 actionable steps to help you meet any reading goal.

1. Embrace a reading challenge

My free reading challenges are perfect for anyone with a tablet or a printer. Download it to your tablet and use digitally or print out- with a printer friendly low colour option- and tick off as you go.