As an experienced IT leader and consultant, Dalin Owen has guided corporate clients through programming, administration, and security challenges while leading his Miami-based consultancy founded in 2006. Formerly a CTO with Zenon Corporation, SherpaOnline, Inc., and Express Communications Group in Western Canada, he worked across system architecture, server administration (Linux and FreeBSD), and custom development in C, PHP, and Perl. Beyond technology, Owen enjoys studying law and reading, interests that align naturally with this article’s topic: developing a daily reading habit despite a demanding schedule. Drawing on a career defined by structured problem-solving and holistic optimization, Owen appreciates how small, consistent practices compound over time. The strategies below present practical, non-prescriptive ways busy professionals, from Houston, TX to Miami, FL and beyond, can make reading a sustainable part of everyday life without sacrificing work or family priorities.
Develop a Daily Reading Habit Despite the Busy Life
Reading books is one of the simplest ways to expand knowledge, reduce stress, and spark creativity. In today’s world, though, you may find it challenging to read. Work, family, school, and other life commitments take up much of your life, and when you do have spare time, social engagements and digital distractions fill those gaps. Building a consistent reading habit is not impossible, though. All it takes is a good strategy.
Begin by reframing the place of reading in your life. Many people think of reading books as an extra: something they do once they have completed the essential tasks. If you treat reading as an option, you will rarely do it. Instead, prioritize it. Recognize it as part of self-care, which it is, considering it improves memory, brain power, and even sleep. When you appreciate that reading enriches your mind, helps you relax, and sharpens your focus, it becomes easier to give it a rightful place in your day.
Once it is established that reading is a non-negotiable in your life, set aside time for it. It could be 30 minutes a day that you build up slowly to one hour. Intentionally carve out time from your daily routine to read books. Set reminders on your phone to alert you when it is time to read and keep a book close to you so you can just pick it up and read.
A powerful method of cementing a reading habit is to incorporate it into your daily open time slots. For example, if you have meetings regularly at work, you can read during meeting breaks or right before everyone shows up.
Another great strategy is to attach reading to something you do, a method known as habit stacking. Rather than exploiting pockets of free time, you can read while doing something else, like taking your morning coffee or having lunch. You could even listen to an audiobook while brushing your teeth or preparing a meal. When you condition your brain to do two things together, it starts to expect that one naturally comes with the other. You no longer need to be motivated to read; your brain triggers you to do it.
As you start building your reading habit, track your progress. Write down how many pages you read each day, how much time you spent doing it, and what you learned. There are apps that help you do this. Keep yourself accountable, and when you hit a milestone like 20 days of consistent reading, reward yourself.
Notably, you may not be able to hit your target every day. On demanding days, be flexible enough to alter your program. Ultimately, 10 minutes of reading is better than none. Change your mindset to view small steps as meaningful. Even reading two pages on a tough day is still progress.
It is also worth considering the type of books you choose. A common mistake busy people make is starting with dense or overly challenging material, which can feel daunting and discourage progress. Picking books that genuinely capture your interest is far more effective in sustaining the habit. Once you finish a few engaging titles, your confidence and momentum grow. Variety also helps prevent stagnation, so alternating between fiction, nonfiction, light reads, and more serious works can keep the experience fresh.
Once you have built momentum and are reading daily, protect your reading time. Do not let social or digital distractions occupy time meant for it. In fact, you can switch off our phone or put it in another room when you are reading. Even better, have a dedicated reading area in your home that is quiet, cozy, and free from distractions.
Finally, join a book club or reading community. Make new friends who enjoy reading too, share titles you found interesting, do reading challenges together, and keep each other accountable.
Ultimately, building a consistent reading habit in a busy life is about small choices compounded over time. Just 10 minutes here and 20 minutes there can build into a steady rhythm. By treating reading as a priority, linking it with routines, choosing engaging material, and minimizing distractions, you gradually make it an effortless part of life.
About Dalin Owen
Dalin Owen is an IT executive and consultant based in Miami, Florida. Since 2006, he has led his own consultancy, providing programming, administration, and security services to corporate clients with a holistic approach. Previously a CTO with Zenon Corporation, SherpaOnline, Inc., and Express Communications Group in Western Canada, he has hands-on experience in Linux and FreeBSD systems, database management, and custom development in C, PHP, and Perl. Outside work, he enjoys reading, scuba diving, and studying law.
