Read a Book Today Because… Science
I have a daily habit of reading books, so I’m feeling pretty damn smug right about now. SCIENCE — you know that little thing that is so important that they gave it its own class at school — says that reading makes you… like… perfect. So I have that going for me.
When do I read? Thank you for asking because I was dying to tell you. I read every 25 minutes. I work using a modified Pomodoro Technique (I skip the long break because it’s not helpful for me), so every time the buzzer goes off, I stand up and grab my book and walk around in a circle reading for five minutes. When the buzzer goes off again, I sit down and get back to work.
I also read at night before bed, but that isn’t as interesting as slipping it into Pomodoro breaks.
Is it annoying to jump in and out of the story? No. I mean, yes, when you first start doing it, it’s a little annoying. But I’m now so accustomed to reading this way that my brain has adjusted. And I keep hyper focused during my 25 minute work slots because I know there’s five minutes of read-walking at the end. Plus I’ve been on a horror-mystery-science fiction tear, so it’s not as if I’m jumping in and out of Kierkegaard.
Regardless, grab a book. Today. Science says so.
5 comments
That’s a neat idea – using a 5-min break to walk & read. Do you ever have a hard time putting the book down?
Any recommendations for sci-fi reading?
I love the Pomodoro method and also skip the long break, but I don’t usually read books during my breaks. If I’m super focused, I’ll skip the break altogether, or I’ll get up and drink water or use the bathroom or something. I like your method. I read before bed and also in short chunks while I’m waiting for the bus or my kids at the park, or stirring something on the stove even.
I’ve not heard of Pomodoro, interesting. I often read on the bus (to and from work), sometimes when the kids play nicely together and usually before bed. I’ve been a bit slacking on reading lately, and instead playing on my phone. I feel the need to get away from my phone again.
I hadn’t heard of the Pomodoro technique either – off to read about it. I like this idea, as I find that I don’t move as often as I should from my computer – whereas when I was in an office, I got up and moved about much more often.
And I’ve been struggling to find time or inclination to read lately, so doing this would certainly help me!
I have never heard of the Pomodoro technique. Thank you for sharing. I think I have undiagnosed adult ADD. I am so easily distracted all the time. I’ve never thought to research productivity methods. I tried this at work today and was more productive than I have been in a long time!!! I was only able to get about 5-25 minute sessions in, but it was a great start and felt so good to actually focus and complete tasks.