Many of us don’t have long, uninterrupted hours to sit and read. Our days are full, and our attention is often divided between responsibilities at home, work, and everything in between. In these seasons, reading can feel like something we simply don’t have time for.

But growth does not require long stretches of time to be meaningful. It often happens in small, consistent moments that we learn to use with intention. A few minutes here and there can begin to add up in ways we don’t immediately see.

There was a season when reading felt easier, especially during slower moments like nap times or while caring for a newborn. But as life fills up, those natural windows can disappear, and we have to become more intentional about finding them again.

Small moments still move you forward.

Reading for five to ten minutes between tasks is a simple and effective way to keep learning. Whether it’s a physical book or an audiobook, these small inputs can shape how you think, lead, and live over time.

PAUSE

Pause and consider how you are currently using the small gaps in your day. These moments often hold more opportunities than we realize.

Pray

Lord, help me to use my time with wisdom and intention. Show me where I can grow in small, steady ways without feeling overwhelmed. Teach me to value consistency over perfection and to steward even the smallest moments well. In Jesus’ name. Amen.

Assess

Take a few minutes to reflect on your current habits around learning and growth.

• When during my day do I have small, unused pockets of time?
• Do I currently have anything I am reading or listening to regularly?
• Am I more drawn to reading for growth or for rest in this season?
• What areas of my life would benefit from a little more learning right now?
• Do I have easy access to a book or resource when I have a free moment?

Understand

Learning does not have to happen in large, structured blocks to be effective. In fact, small, repeated exposure to ideas often leads to better retention and application over time. Incremental reading allows you to engage with content consistently without needing to rearrange your entire schedule.

In Atomic Habits, James Clear explains that small actions, repeated daily, compound into meaningful growth. The same is true for learning — what feels like a few minutes today becomes transformation over months and years.

This approach also aligns with the idea of building rhythms into your life. Instead of waiting for the perfect time, you begin using the time you already have, allowing learning to become part of your everyday flow.

Simplify

You don’t need an elaborate system to begin learning more consistently. Often, the barrier is not time but access and awareness.

Make it easy to engage by keeping a book nearby or having an audiobook ready to go. When learning is within reach, you are far more likely to use those small windows of time.

You also don’t need to read large sections at once. A few pages, a short chapter, or even a single idea is enough to move forward when done consistently.

Embark - Next Small Action Steps

Start small and make it practical.

• Carry a book with you or keep one in your car or bag
• Read 5-10 minutes during a natural break in your day
• Listen to an audiobook while driving, walking, or doing chores
• Highlight or underline key ideas to revisit later
• Keep a small notebook or notes app to capture what stands out

Further Reading & Resources

• Atomic Habit — by James Clear
• The Common Rule — by Justin Whitmel Earley
• Habits of the Household — by Justin Whitmel Earley