You know how it goes – you sit down with a book, excited to dive in, but before long your mind is drifting to what’s for dinner or replaying an awkward conversation from years ago. And just like that, you’ve lost the plot. I suspect many can relate to this reading plight, this inability to focus our wandering minds for more than a handful of pages. It’s nothing to feel ashamed of, we’re only human after all. Still, there are times where one longs to immerse themselves in a story, to feel transported by the written word instead of distracted by it.
This was the case for me some years back, when I took it upon myself to read Proust’s mammoth “In Search of Lost Time.” I was young and foolish then, unaware of the endurance this endeavor would require. A few days in and I found myself growing weary, the words beginning to blur on the page as my attention drifted. It was becoming painfully clear – my reading stamina left much to be desired. Rather than accept defeat, I decided something had to be done. And so began my quiet campaign to build up my flagging reading “muscle.”
The process was subtle at first. I started to read more frequently and in short bursts when I had time. Slowly, my capacity grew, pages at a time. I had given up on Proust but had read several other lengthy volumes in the interim. I had done the unthinkable – I had transformed this fleeting reader into one who could settle in for the long haul.
I share this story not to boast but because I believe many can benefit from small steps taken daily to expand our ability to focus. After all, isn’t losing oneself in a book one of life’s simple pleasures? With a little effort, it need not remain elusive.
Reading Is A Skill That Needs Training
I’ve come to think of reading endurance not as some innate talent one either has or doesn’t, but rather as a habit that can be cultivated through consistent practice. So much of focusing our attention relies on building up familiar patterns in the brain; we have to condition ourselves to associate settling in with a book as a rewarding activity rather than a chore.
I saw this most clearly when I started commuting to work by subway. At first, just 30 minutes of reading had me restless and antsy, constantly checking the time. But over the weeks, my daily routine took hold – before I knew it, I was so immersed in my latest read that I’d miss my stop! It seems our ability to concentrate is as much about repetition as it is about willpower or discipline. The more often we expose our minds to uninterrupted reading time, the more fluent the process becomes.
As with any skill, we improve at the pace we practice. So whether it’s Proust or a paperback thriller, don’t be afraid to start small. With consistency and patience, your ability to focus deepens one page at a time.
Keep fueling your mind regularly with reading fuel, and gain will follow in due time. Habits have a way of sticking, so stick with it – I have no doubt your endurance will follow suit.
Put Down Your Phone & Turn Off Your TV
it’s almost impossible to ignore the elephant in the room – the steady rise of screens and the concurrent decline of attention spans. If I’m being honest, I count myself among those who have felt their pull.
In this age of constant connectivity, it’s all too easy to reach for that glowing rectangle anytime focus begins to falter. But in doing so, we rob ourselves of the very thing we crave – the sweet escape of immersing in a good book. Phones and tablets have their place to be sure, but when it comes to reading, they’ve simply got to go.
If you want to build up the ability to read uninterrupted for long stretches, old habits have to be broken.
Cold turkey is the only way, as half measures will only lead to half results. So I now make sure to power down fully and put away all devices well before settling in with a book. It wasn’t easy at first, but like any muscle, my focus has strengthened with this dedicated “screen-free” training regimen.
I encourage others trying to up their reading game to follow suit. Just turn it all off – you won’t miss anything important, I promise. Instead, you’ll gain something far more valuable: the time and mental clarity to get fully lost in a story. With screens out of sight and out of mind, your attention span will have nowhere to go but up.
Allocate Time & Breaks
One strategy I’ve found helpful for building sustained reading endurance is designating a specific block of time each day devoted solely to reading, with occasional short breaks built in.
When I first started taking my reading training seriously, I would set a timer for 30 minutes and challenge myself to focus completely on the book until the alarm went off. Inevitably, my mind would start to wander well before the 30 minutes were up. That’s where 5-minute breaks came in handy – I’d allow myself a short screen or snack break to recharge, then jump back in refreshed for another 30 minutes of uninterrupted reading.
Surprisingly, breaking up the time into more manageable chunks made the overall duration feel more achievable. Taking a break before I hit a wall of distraction meant I could maximize how much time I actually spent reading rather than recovering my focus. Over time, I found myself needing fewer and fewer breaks, as my stamina steadily increased session by session.
Now I aim for 60-90 minute reading blocks with a 5-10 minute break in the middle. Some days it’s all I can muster, while other times I blaze right through without pausing. The point is that consistency, not perfection, is key – just keep showing up and putting in the minutes however you can.
For anyone looking to extend their reading endurance, I’d recommend giving this timed session approach a try. Start small if needed and celebrate each incremental gain. Before long, those breaks may disappear altogether as your concentration builds.
Dont Expect To Read Much In Bed
While I understand the temptation to cozy up with a book in bed, I’ve found that location can actually work against my reading goals if I’m trying to build concentration. More often than not, lying down with pages open leads to closing my eyes, as sleep proves a much more powerful pull.
I lost track of how many times I’d drift off halfway through a chapter, only to wake up hours later, disoriented and with no memory of the plot. While naps can be nice, they weren’t getting me anywhere in my mission to read uninterrupted for longer stretches.
So these days, I reserve the bed strictly for shuteye. When it’s time for serious reading, I head to a more upright spot where I’m not at risk of accidental slumber. Even just sitting with my back propped against the headboard helps keep me alert. And if drowsiness hits anyway, it’s easier to shake off upright rather than cozy under the covers.
For anyone else trying to build their reading endurance, I’d suggest following suit. As comfortable as it sounds to read in bed, that horizontal position can work against your best intentions to stay focused. Save it for sleeping and find a cozier chair or nook where you’re less likely to nod off mid-page. Your reading muscle will thank you when you stay conscious for the whole book!
