Reading – The Tiny Habit That Made a Big Difference
In our fast-paced, endlessly distracted world, focus often feels like a luxury. Between work demands, messages pinging from every app, and our own wandering thoughts, it’s easy to feel mentally scattered. That was exactly where I found myself — overworked, tired, and constantly switching between tasks but never truly present.
Then something simple shifted everything.
It wasn’t a life coach. Not a digital detox. Not even meditation.
It was reading.
Just 10 minutes a day.
No fancy plan. No pressure to finish a chapter. Just 10 quiet minutes with a book. And it changed everything.
In this post, I want to share how that tiny habit reshaped my ability to focus, calmed my mind, and helped me fall in love with learning again — even during the busiest weeks.
The Problem: I Couldn’t Focus Anymore
Let me be honest. My attention span was in trouble many years ago.
I’d sit down to write or work, only to get pulled into Instagram, emails, or Slack messages within five minutes. I couldn’t even finish a page in a book before checking my phone.
My mind felt like a browser with 27 tabs open — and one of them was playing music I couldn’t find.
Even during downtime, I found it hard to relax. My thoughts jumped from one worry to another, and I constantly felt behind.
The worst part? I missed that deep, focused state I used to have when I was younger — especially back in school, when I could sit for hours with a good novel.
That’s when I asked myself:
What if I tried to read again — but this time, gently?
Step One: Just 10 Minutes
I didn’t commit to an hour a day or vow to finish a book a week. I simply set a timer for 10 minutes before bed.
That’s it.
No rules about genre. No goals. Just pick a book that felt right and read until the timer beeped.
It was awkward at first. My mind wandered. I had to reread the same sentences. But I stuck with it.
And slowly, the magic happened.
The Science: Why It Works
Here’s what I learned along the way — and why even 10 minutes can make such a big impact:
1. Reading Trains Your Attention
Just like physical workouts strengthen muscles, reading strengthens your attention span. Every time you resist the urge to check your phone and stay with a paragraph, you’re rewiring your brain to focus deeper and longer.
2. It Creates a “Flow” State
Books pull you into a narrative or idea. That immersion, even for a few minutes, helps your brain enter a state of flow — the same mental state athletes and artists experience when they’re “in the zone.”
3. Reduces Mental Clutter
Unlike social media, which scatters your attention in multiple directions, reading helps organize thoughts and reduce noise. You’re engaging in one activity — with full presence.
4. Better Sleep & Less Anxiety
Reading at night (instead of screen-scrolling) reduced my anxiety significantly. It calmed my nervous system, slowed my heart rate, and made it easier to fall asleep — science agrees with this too.
Personal Story: What Changed for Me
Within a month, here’s what I started noticing:
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My focus improved. I could sit down and finish work tasks faster, without jumping between tabs or needing a break every 5 minutes.
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My creativity returned. Ideas flowed more naturally — both in writing and problem-solving.
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My sleep quality improved. Reading before bed became a gentle signal to my body: it’s time to wind down.
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I started loving learning again. Instead of watching random videos, I was diving into books on psychology, mindfulness, and storytelling — topics I genuinely loved.
And I didn’t just read more — I lived better.
What to Read: Choose What Sparks You
One of the most common questions I get when sharing this habit is:
“What books do you read in those 10 minutes?”
My answer: Whatever calls to you. But here are a few types that worked wonders for me:
Short & Inspiring Non-fiction
Perfect for morning or mid-day: books like The Daily Stoic, Atomic Habits, or Make Your Bed. They’re practical, bite-sized, and motivational.
Deep Thinkers
Even just a few pages of The Power of Now, A New Earth, or Mindset by Carol Dweck can shift your perspective for the day.
Fiction for the Soul
Stories like The Alchemist, Tuesdays with Morrie, or Pachinko are great when you want to escape — and still feel deeply connected to life.
Memoirs & Life Lessons
Books like Educated, Becoming, or Born a Crime remind you of human resilience and the beauty of growing through challenges.
Remember: Don’t aim for quantity. Aim for connection.
How to Start: Tips for Building the Habit
If you’re thinking, “I’d love to do this but I just don’t have time,” I get it. But here’s the truth: you do have 10 minutes.
Here’s how to build the habit:
1. Pick a Time & Anchor It
Tie reading to something you already do. After brushing your teeth, before your first coffee, or while waiting for food to cook.
2. Keep a Book Visible
Leave a book on your pillow, desk, or coffee table — visibility increases action. I often carry one in my bag so I can read while waiting in line or during commutes.
3. Don’t Wait for the Perfect Book
Start with whatever’s available. You’ll discover your preferences over time.
4. Make It a Ritual, Not a Task
Light a candle. Sip tea. Make those 10 minutes feel sacred. It’s your time.
The Unexpected Benefits
Beyond focus and calm, here are some surprising gifts that 10-minute reading gave me:
Better Conversations
Books gave me new vocabulary and fresh perspectives — great for connecting with others, especially during deep conversations or mentoring sessions.
Boosted Confidence
The more I read, the more I felt mentally sharp and articulate. It boosted my self-esteem, especially at work.
Emotional Regulation
Reading helped me pause and reflect. It trained my mind to respond, not react — especially during stressful moments.
It’s Not About the Time — It’s About the Intention
You don’t need to finish 52 books a year. You don’t need to spend hours reading each day.
All you need is a few minutes of intentional presence with words that matter to you.
Reading is not a race. It’s a return — to stillness, to focus, to your true self.
So if you feel like your attention is slipping, your energy scattered, or your joy in learning has dimmed — start with 10 minutes.
It may just change everything.
Bonus: My Current 10-Minute Stack
Want some inspiration? Here are the books I’m currently reading 10 minutes at a time:
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The Talent Code by Daniel Coyle
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The Art of Stillness by Pico Iyer
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Mindful Work by David Gelles
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When Breath Becomes Air by Paul Kalanithi
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Big Magic by Elizabeth Gilbert