Non-traditional reading goals to kickstart your New Year!
Whether you are a seasoned reading goal setter, or are looking to set yourself a reading goal for the very first time, we all need inspiration now and then. Today’s post offers some non-traditional reading goals to kickstart your New Year, no experience required!
In the past, I have varied in setting both traditional and non-traditional reading goals. Whilst I am the kind of person who benefits from a traditional numbers-based target to set, there is absolute value in setting non-traditional reading goals. That’s why in my goal setting, I take a blended approach in setting both traditional and non-traditional reading goals.
Today’s post is about non-traditional reading goals. If having a number doesn’t suit you or your lifestyle right now, I have five suggestions for your next non-traditional reading goal. Even if you don’t take on one of these verbatim, it may give you an idea for a reading goal that will suit you!
Shall we take a look at some ideas?
Non-Traditional Reading Goal Ideas
Prioritise Owned Books
A non-traditional reading goal that’s a strong contender for my reading resolutions list next year is prioritising books I already own. Why? Well, the simple answer is, my physical reading collection is… too big for the space I have. If I’m honest, I probably have the equivalent of a small bookshelf’s worth of books that don’t fit on the shelves I have.
I typically try to stick to buying physical copies of books I’ll want to read and re-read again. However, sometimes it’s cheaper or more convenient to get books in physical format if there are offers on, or if I have book vouchers to use. Now I’ve got a bit of a collection, and it’s easy done! It’s universally agreed that buying books and reading books are two very different hobbies…
I’ve done more purchasing than I have reading, so this non-traditional reading goal can help combat the backlist.
Give Yourself Permission to Mood Read
Another non-traditional reading goal could be giving yourself permission to choose what to read as the mood strikes you.
If you like to read different books in the spur of the moment but try to confine yourself to a set list (and then wonder why you don’t get through it!), this is a great goal for you. Admittedly, this is a goal of benefit from trying. This December, with my reading challenge ‘done’, I’ve switched off from reading a little bit. However, to get back into it, I could have given myself permission to read something not on the list but that I enjoy.
I’m also guilty of trying to read a book if I’m not feeling it. It’s like trying to cram a square peg in a round hole, and just about as successful. Next year, why not give yourself the gift of flexibility?
Read a book recommended to you once a month
Quite the opposite to the previous suggested non-traditional reading goal, if you do benefit from some structure to your reading, this could work for you!
Whether you take recommendations from friends, family, or even online, including a recommendation in your reading list can help broaden your horizons. It’s the reason I take part in book clubs. Through these clubs, I pick up books I wouldn’t have been introduced to or picked up of my own volition. The external motivator is a great way to learn and change up your reading. If that’s what you’re looking for, reading a recommendation once a month/quarter, or whatever frequency suits you, is a great non-traditional reading goal to try!
Try New Book Formats
If you tend to read books in a particular, or even favoured format, why not try something new next year?
This non-traditional reading goal can be interpreted a number of ways, so it’s really up to you what you want to do with it. If you read a lot of traditional prose, why not try a mixed media book, manga, or poetry? If you read predominantly physical books, why not give audiobooks a try?
Really, the world is your oyster with this reading goal. The aim is to try something new. As to how you choose to do it, well, that’s up to you! The beauty of a non-traditional reading goal is that they are more flexible and accommodating to set.
Read in another language (or a book’s translated from another language)
A non-traditional reading goal I’m flirting with setting in my next set of reading resolutions is to read books in, or originally written in, another language. I’ll hold my hands up and admit I read a lot of books by Western authors. With a view to reading more diversely, this is a fun non-traditional reading goal to help meet that desire.
If you’re feeling adventurous, you could try reading a book in another language. If you want to learn one anyway, it can be a great way to help towards that. The best way to learn about other perspectives and cultures is to read from them.
Summary
Has today’s non-traditional reading goals post given you some inspiration? The best advice I can give is to start small. Don’t put too much pressure on yourself if you don’t get off to a flying start.
My reading habit and the blog kicked off with reading for a few minutes before bed in 2017. What reading goals are you taking into next year?
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