Let’s expand on yesterday’s ‘five-minute read a book hack’.

There are a few things I do to make this hack as frictionless and beneficial as possible. My book consumption has definitely increased since I started using these tips.

Here are three tips to make the five minute reading hack easier:

1. Read a physical book

These five minute breaks should help recharge you. Give your eyes a break from screens and read a real, physical book. Plus, if you’re not on an electronic device, there’s no temptation to surf and scroll instead of read.

2. Make it nonfiction

If I’m reading nonfiction, I’m less tempted to say “just one more page” when my reading time is up. By reading nonfiction, I’m also keeping my brain engaged in the here and now, not letting it run off to some fictional world. There are times to read fiction. My five minute breaks aren’t those times.

3. Keep it close - the quicker you can get to it, the more you can read

Whatever you choose to read, keep it close. Reduce the friction between you and reading for those five minutes. If your book of choice is close by, you’re more likely to pick it up and start reading. When I’m working, my book is on the floor right next to me, so it’s super simple to grab and start reading.