Totally unable to break through a reading slump? Still nursing a book hangover? Running way behind on your personal reading challenge?

You probably need to “pivot.” The pivot is essentially a turning point moment where you adjust and recover from a series of bad breaks or drawbacks. I first heard the term in politics, but it makes total sense to apply it to the reading life. In politics, a politician who’s having a rough time (poll numbers are down, a number of bungled missteps, etc.) hopes for a “pivot,” or a turning point to change the narrative and have a bit of a comeback. Of course, the comeback is one of the oldest, strongest pivots of all. I think we need to stop thinking of reading slumps as something that can just be broken through with sheer force alone. That’s why I think we can take some cues from politics and public relations and start breaking through a reading slump through the pivot strategy.

For readers, the pivot is easily within reach. If you’re itching for a change or a way to bulldoze book roadblocks, follow these tips to build a pivot strategy for busting a reading slump and get back to loving literature.

Step 1: Reflect on what got you here

To launch your reading pivot plan, reflect on what got you here. It’s easy to blame the generic book slump, but think deeper. What caused the book slump? Was it binge-reading that left you totally exhausted? A series of books you just couldn’t get into, sucking the marrow out of your momentum? A read-a-thon that left you mentally and creatively exhausted?

Try to think backwards to how you got here and identify the root cause in one sentence.

Here are some examples:

• “I still have a book hangover from the last great book I read, and it’s hard to match anything that has that same page-turning feel.”
• “I’ve been so busy with work/school that I’ve barely had time to read anymore, and now I just can’t get into anything and am too exhausted to try.”
• “I loved the last read-a-thon I participated in and read a ton of books, but I’m totally burned out.”
• “I keep buying/borrowing books, and my TBR is growing too fast. Each time I don’t finish a book from my TBR, I feel guilty, ashamed, and overwhelmed. I just want to hide.”

What’s yours? 

Now you’re named your enemy and you know it’s one thing and one thing you can conquer.

Step 2: Think of one change to make

If you could change anything about your reading right now, what would it be?

Last year, it occurred to me that I might not make my Goodreads challenge goal by the end of the year, which didn’t necessarily make me feel down. I knew that even though I was 70% close to completion at 68 books out of 100, it wouldn’t matter how many books I log as completed if I don’t get myself out of this book slump and read books that affect me. That’s why I shifted my focus to the one change I really wanted to make: read more books that move me, rather than bolster my read count. If the remaining 32 books I read were blah or meh or forgettable or frustrating, it wouldn’t have mattered because I would still have a satisfying reading experience.

Let’s look at a few sample “one thing” goals for your reading pivot:

• “The one thing that I want to change is to read more books I enjoy. I always finish everything I start, and lately there have been so many duds that it’s sucking the joy out of reading.”
• “The one thing that I want to change is to start reading more quickly. Lately it’s taken so long to finish books that I can barely remember what it’s like to finish a good one.”
• “The one thing that I want to change is to be able to read without distractions. I miss being able to focus on just an awesome book, but I feel so tied to my phone and other screens that I struggle to focus on words on a page.”

What’s yours look like?

3. Create SMART goals

Rather than just think about a nonspecific idea of what will change, let’s brainstorm one or two or three “SMART” goals. For those unfamiliar with this popular business and personal development concept, you can read more about it on Mind Tools.

SMART goals are defined as:

Specific

Be specific. Not a general, vague goal like “I want to read more.” Instead, try “I want to read four books this month” or “I want to read five more books than last year.”

Measurable

Your reading pivot goal has to be something you can actually measure. Instead of “I’ve been reading so many short books lately that I want to read something long again” rewrite it to: “I want to read and enjoy a book that’s over 350 pages.”

Achievable

Your reading pivot goals have to actually be doable. I know, I know. It’s tempting to say “I’m going to read every book on my TBR,” but you’ll want to break it into baby steps, something you can actually achieve. I tend to set goals that are way too demanding for myself, so resist the urge to pick something wildly ambitions, reader. Maybe you won’t commit to reading every book on your TBR, but how about shooting for reading one book from your TBR every month for the next three months?

Relevant

Your life might be super stressful right now (I know mine is), but for your SMART reading pivot goals, you want to pick objectives that are specific to reading. I’d love to make “Try to incorporate self care into my daily routine” a goal of mine, and I think we can reframe that in terms of a relevant reading pivot goal like “Make 30 minutes of uninterrupted, screen-free reading time a part of my daily self care routine.”

Time bound

SMART goals promote time-bound achievements, so not “I’ll finish this book by the end of next week” but “I’ll finish this book by next Friday at midnight.” It might seem intimidating, but this is one of the most important SMART goals. Having a timeline and deadline in place means you have something to plan and aim for, but also an end-date to your slump. Don’t get stressed about having to read by a specific date, but rather reframe the deadline as the day your reading slump will end.

Now it’s your turn. Can you pick a few SMART reading pivot goals that match each of the SMART measurements?

4. Pick a “breakthrough book”

Next, pick a “breakthrough book.” This is the book that you’ll commit to reading to get out of your slump and have a reading pivot. Instead of concentrating on thinking about the next ten books you’ll read, just focus on finishing one.

You’re also going to want to set a deadline. Give yourself no more than two weeks to finish this book. Find a calendar and write it down: this is your read-by date. Like we saw in Step 3 (SMART Goals), a firm timeline gives you some structure and a way to plan.

If you’re unsure of where to start, try one of these options:

• Rereading an old favorite – or a book you loved and wanted to revisit one time.
• Read a medium-sized book – not a super short book because you want to savor it a bit and not get high off finishing a book quickly. You also don’t want a book too far over 350 pages.
• Pick a book on the top of your TBR – This is not necessarily the book at the top of your TBR that’s been there for months or years that seems to stalk you and guilt trip you for not reading it. I’m talking about the top book you want to read right now, no guilt strings attached.
• A book you won’t read alone – it’s great to have a buddy reading the same book you are. Ask a friend if they want to read the same book, too, and you’ll get accountability and companionship.

What kind of breakthrough book is right for you?

5. Share your reading pivot

In this last step, you’re going to document your reading pivot in public. Other people can cheer you on and give you support as you break through your reading pivot once and for all. Having the eyes of the world (or just fellow #bookstagrammer and book blogging friends) on you will mean you’re publicly committing to SMART goals and getting through your slump by making it an event others can participate in.

Looking for a few ideas of sample social posts?

• Post a photo showing the page number or chapter of how far you’ve read that day. You could also include a picture of the page number at the start of the day.

• Share your favorite quotes from what you’ve read. Focusing on the positives will reinforce how much you’re enjoying reading again.
• Unwrap those reading gifts. Show yourself some self care in public.
• Countdown to your target read-by date. Make those last few days and hours into an Instagram or Facebook story.

What are some ideas you have of how to share your reading pivot with fellow readers, friends, and supportive people online?

Now… Ready? Get set. Read.

Reader, you’ve done all the hard work necessary to break through a reading slump and have a reading pivot. You have searched your soul for what’s causing the slump. You’ve identified the one thing you want to change. You set SMART and realistic goals. You picked a single “breakthrough” book. And you’ve come up with a plan to document your reading pivot in public. I’m so excited for you to bust through that slump and get back to doing what you love—reading.

Ready? Get set. Read.

Looking for more strategies to slay a reading slump? Check out my other blog article on reading multiple books to break through a reading slump. And don’t miss my 10 ways to creatively reconnect with reading.