Let me be real with you. I used to be that guy who always said, “I’ll start reading by 4 PM.” But before I knew it, it would be 9 PM and I’d still be scrolling through my phone or lying on my bed doing nothing useful.

I got tired of that cycle. So I decided to fix it, one step at a time. If you’re always delaying your reading too, this post is for you. I’ll show you what I did that actually worked.

1. I Stopped Waiting to Feel Motivated

I used to think I had to feel ready or pumped up before I could read. But I realized that motivation doesn’t always come first. It usually comes after you start.

What I did:
I told myself, “Let me just read for 10 minutes.” Just 10. And funny enough, once I started, I usually ended up reading for much longer.

2. I Got Rid of the Distractions

My biggest distraction was my phone. Anytime I wanted to read, something would ping or I’d start watching videos. That alone could waste two hours.

What I did:
I started putting my phone on silent and dropping it far from me. Sometimes I even used airplane mode. I also found a quiet corner where I could stay focused.

3. I Set Smaller Goals

At first, I’d write down big goals like “finish a full chapter today,” and I would feel tired just looking at it. So I changed my method.

What I did:
Instead of big goals, I broke them down. I’d say, “Let me just read the first two pages.” That felt easier. Once I started, it flowed naturally.

4. I Used the 5-Second Rule

This one really helped me. Anytime I started overthinking or felt lazy, I would just count down in my head: 5, 4, 3, 2, 1 then I’d move.

What I did:
I used that countdown to get out of bed or stop scrolling. It sounds simple, but it works. It snaps you out of that delay mindset.

5. I Tracked My Progress

I started writing down what I covered each day. Even if it was just two pages, I would tick it off. Seeing those small wins gave me confidence.

What I did:
I used a notebook. At the end of the week, I could see my progress and feel proud of the effort I was putting in.

So,

If you’re always delaying your reading, I get it. I’ve been there. But trust me, you can come out of it.

Start with small steps. Cut out distractions. Track your effort. And don’t wait till you feel ready. Just start. Even if it’s just for five minutes.

That’s how I started. And it’s working.

Drop a comment if this sounds like your story too. Or let me know what usually makes you procrastinate.