Are you tired of glancing at your bookshelf, filled with books you’ve been meaning to read but never quite got around to? Do you yearn to dive into the world of literature, exploring different genres, expanding your knowledge, and enhancing your imagination? If so, it’s time to embark on a reading challenge. Tesia Dobrydnia, a known chemical engineer and expert in processes, applies her professional expertise in systems to create quality downtime experiences, like reading challenges. She weighs in on the art of setting and achieving literary goals through a well-planned reading challenge.
Before we delve into the nitty-gritty of how to create and conquer your reading challenge, it’s essential to understand why it’s a worthwhile endeavor and how a reading challenge can be beneficial to you.
“A reading challenge is a structured way to make reading a consistent part of your life,” says Tesia Dobrydnia. “It’s not just about the number of books you read; it’s about the journey of exploration and personal growth that each book can offer.”
The Benefits of a Reading Challenge
Reading challenges encourage you to step out of your comfort zone. Whether exploring new genres, discovering authors from different cultures, or delving into non-fiction topics, you’ll broaden your literary horizons. Just like physical exercise keeps your body fit, reading exercises your brain. It improves vocabulary, critical thinking, and comprehension skills, contributing to your overall cognitive development.
In our busy lives, it’s easy to sideline reading. Setting a reading challenge commits you to a regular reading habit, making it a priority rather than an afterthought. Completing a reading challenge provides a sense of accomplishment. When you set and meet reading goals, you’ll feel a genuine sense of pride and satisfaction.
Setting Your Reading Challenge
When setting up a reading challenge, follow these steps to create a challenge that is both ambitious and achievable.
- Define Your Goal
Tesia Dobrydnia suggests starting by defining your reading goal. What do you want to achieve with this challenge? Is it about reading a certain number of books, exploring a specific genre, or tackling lengthy classics? Your goal should be personal and meaningful.
Dobrydnia notes, “Your goal should excite you and motivate you to pick up that book. Whether it’s ‘Read 30 books in a year’ or ‘Explore 10 different genres,’ make it something you genuinely want to accomplish.”
- Set a Realistic Timeline
The key to any successful challenge is setting a realistic timeline. Consider your current reading habits and time availability. If you’re a busy professional, it’s important to be realistic about how much time you can dedicate to reading each day or week.
- Diversify Your Reading List
Variety is the spice of life, and the same holds for reading challenges. Don’t limit yourself to a single genre or author, try including some book-to-movie adaptations as well.
“Include a mix of fiction and non-fiction, contemporary and classic literature, and books from different cultures. This diversity will keep your challenge engaging and intellectually stimulating,” says Dobrydnia.
- Keep Track of Your Progress
To stay on top of your reading challenge, it’s essential to keep track of your progress. You can use a simple journal, a reading app, or even a dedicated spreadsheet. Mark off each book as you finish it and jot down your thoughts and reflections.
Achieving Your Reading Challenge
Now that your reading challenge is set, it’s time to discuss strategies to ensure you meet your goals.
- Prioritize Reading Time
In our fast-paced lives, finding time to read can be a challenge in itself. To conquer your reading goals, prioritize reading time in your daily or weekly schedule. Dedicate time before bed to reading or first thing in the morning. It’s a calming way to begin or end the day, and it ensures steady progress toward your goals.
- Embrace Audiobooks and E-books
In today’s digital age, you don’t have to limit yourself to traditional printed books. Audiobooks and e-books offer flexibility and can be enjoyed during commutes, workouts, or any free moment. Audiobooks have been a game-changer for many busy professionals. They allow you to ‘read’ while doing other tasks, making it easier to meet your reading goals.
- Don’t Fear Abandoning a Book
Not every book you pick up will resonate with you, and that’s perfectly okay. If you find yourself struggling through a book that doesn’t captivate you, don’t be afraid to put it down. Your reading challenge should be enjoyable, not a chore.
- Stay Accountable
Regularly review your progress and adjust your reading goals if necessary. Stay accountable to yourself, and don’t get discouraged if you’re falling behind.
- Celebrate Your Achievements
When you complete a book or reach a milestone in your reading challenge, take a moment to celebrate your achievement. Treat yourself to something special, share your accomplishment with your reading community, and use it as motivation to continue.
Embark on Your Reading Adventure
Setting and achieving a reading challenge can be a transformative journey. It not only enhances your literary knowledge but also fosters personal growth, critical thinking, and a lifelong love for reading. Incorporate these valuable insights into your reading challenge, and you’ll find yourself devouring books, expanding your horizons, and experiencing the joy of reading like never before. Remember, the most important part of a reading challenge is the journey, so savor every page and embrace the magic of literature.
About Tesia Dobrydnia
Tesia Dobrydnia lives in the San Francisco Bay area and has built her career as a chemical engineer. She graduated with her Bachelor of Science from Oregon State University in 2007. Tesia has built an impressive resume supporting offshore assets as well as complex processing facilities in upstream and downstream environments. She hikes regularly and enjoys reading. She devotes time and resources to volunteering with food pantries and housing organizations such as Habitat for Humanity.
