Do you feel overwhelmed trying to keep track of all the books, articles, and websites you want to read? Does your reading list feel endless, with interesting things being added faster than you can check them off? If so, you’re not alone! As an organizing expert and reformed disorganized reader, I totally get it. I had a lot of reading clutter going on! I used to endlessly bookmark things to explore “later” and then those links and lists would get buried. It felt impossible to keep up and actually read the content I was saving.
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The good news is with a few simple systems, you can wrangle all those links, downloads, and reading recommendations. I’ll share what has worked for me and my clients so you can finally tackle that reading list in a more focused and productive way.
Consider these tips:
Simplify by Categorizing
The first step is gathering up all those scraps of paper, open browser tabs, bookmarks, screenshots etc. with things you want to read. No judgment, we all accumulate reading materials faster than we can handle sometimes!
Then, take an hour to sort everything into categories. For me that’s things like Career, Writing/Blogging Tips, Health/Wellness, Home Organization, Finance, Professional Development, Spirituality and Religion, and so on. Come up with categories that make sense for your interests and goals. Putting like things together lets you see patterns.
Use an App to Organize
Next, pick a bookmarking app to be your reading list command center. I like Pocket because it lets me tag all my links by category, has a clean interface, and syncs across devices.
Once you set up your key categories as tags, go through and tag each of your links. Some alternative apps are Instapaper, Raindrop, and Evernote if you prefer their features. I happen to love (and use daily) Notion – this is the primary app I use to keep myself digitally organized. Skillshare has an amazing class all about how to use Notion taught by Ali Abdaal. This class is why I’m obsessed with Notion!
The key thing is to have one centralized digital home to store and sort all your links instead of keeping them strewn in various browsers and devices.
Set Reading Goals and Schedule Time
Now comes the most important step which is actually sitting down and reading from your organized lists!
Without a plan, your reading list will keep growing but you won’t make progress.
I recommend setting a weekly or monthly goal for how much you want to read. Maybe start with something realistic like 2 articles, 1 book chapter or blog post, and 5 websites a week. Or 10 substantial pieces of content a month. Breaking it down into regular smaller goals really helps versus trying to conquer everything at once.
Just as important as having a goal is reserving slices of time for reading on your calendar. Even 30 minutes a few times a week adds up over time. I like to read first thing in the morning with coffee or on my lunch break when my concentration is best. If I have good energy, I’ll read at night, but often that ends up to be futile – I’m asleep within 10 minutes! You? Anyway…I digress…
Find windows in your unique schedule where you can devote your attention. Remove distractions by silencing phone alerts if possible. Happy reading!
Review Frequently and Archive
As you steadily work through your reading list by sticking to your schedule, be sure to stay on top of reviewing new additions so things don’t slip through cracks again.
I aim to process new links at least twice a week. I read through each new article, ebook, or website quickly.
I ask myself – is this relevant to my goals right now? If yes, I file it in the appropriate app category to read fully later. If not, I say goodbye and feel at peace deleting or archiving it.
This quick sorting step prevents buildup and helps with the overwhelm. It also keeps my lists full of only the most useful up-to-date resources I genuinely want to read.
I delete things once I’ve finished them unless they are seminal keepers I might reference forever. Keep your system lean by archiving old links you’re done with so you always have an accurate snapshot of what’s left to read.
Stay Inspired by Tracking Progress
When you start actively chipping away at that mountain of content, it feels so motivating! Notice your effort paying off as lists shrink and bookmarks get checked off. If you love data, you can actually track how many pieces you read each month. Watching that number increase keeps you motivated to carve out more reading time.
Find little ways to self-incentivize so reading stays enjoyable, not overwhelming.
Get Support if You Struggle with Follow-Through
If you identify as someone who starts projects but struggles with follow-through, be gentle with yourself. Distraction and lack of motivation happen but don’t let it discourage you.
Try setting a timer for shorter intervals like 15 minutes and allow yourself to stop reading when it goes off.
Or join an online community of readers where you can share progress and inspiration. Sometimes accountability partners can make all the difference too!
The goal is creating sustainability through baby steps and support.
I hope these strategies help you finally conquer that messy book pile and/or endless stash of websites and Kindle e-books to check out!
Remember, the key ingredients are:
- gathering all your links together in one organized system
- setting realistic reading goals for your schedule
- staying inspired by tracking micro wins
With some dedication, you’ll be cruising through your reading list in no time. And you’ll free up so much mental space when those overflowing tabs get cleared out! (if you need help with those overflowing tabs, read this article: ORGANIZING YOUR OPEN TABS: A DIGITAL DECLUTTERING STRATEGY)
Let me know in the comments if you have any other reading list tips to share. Now grab a comfy blanket, pour some more coffee or tea, and start reading my friends!
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