How To Design Your Own Reading Challenge

Remember when we talked about how a reading challenge can jumpstart your love for books and help you build a consistent reading habit? 

If that got you inspired, why not take it a step further?

Designing your own reading challenge is a chance to tailor your goals, explore your interests, and support the big changes in your life.

Let’s create a challenge that feels fun, inspiring, and totally you.

Step 1. Define Your Purpose

Why do you want to start a reading challenge? It's a simple question, but your answer will shape your experience.

Maybe you've been stuck in a rut lately and are ready for some fresh inspiration. A reading challenge could help you discover new ideas, from refreshing your morning routine to reimagining your career path.

Or maybe you want to make real changes in your life—learning to set better boundaries, building stronger relationships, or finally creating that capsule wardrobe you've been dreaming about. Reading can give you both the practical know-how and the motivation to take action.

It could even be as simple as carving out more "me time" in your busy schedule. After all, curling up with a good book and your favorite tea can be the perfect way to reset and recharge.

Take a moment to think about it. Write down your "why" somewhere you'll see it often. It will remind you that your reading goals are worth your time when life gets busy.

Step 2. Set Clear Goals

Once you know your “why,” it’s time to figure out your “what.” What kind of reading challenge makes the most sense for you?

There are a few ways to approach it.

Quantity-based

Pick a number that feels doable but motivating. Maybe you want to read one personal development book each month, or perhaps you'd rather focus on four deep-dive books this year that you'll take time to implement.

Topic-based

Plan your reading around the changes you want to make. For example, you might start with books about building better habits, then move on to ones about decluttering your space, and finish with guides about building a wardrobe you love.

Time-based

Focus on consistency instead of numbers. Commit to reading for 15 minutes during your morning coffee, or set aside Sunday afternoons for reading.

Whatever you choose, keep your goals realistic. Use the SMART framework:

• Specific: Read one book about healthy habits this month" is clearer than "Read more wellness books.”

• Measurable: Track your progress—both what you read and the changes you're making.

• Achievable: Be honest about your schedule and energy. Starting with one book a month is fine.

• Relevance: Choose books that match your current goals and interests. If you're working on your confidence, a book about power poses might be more relevant than one about organizing your garage.

• Time-bound: Set a timeline that motivates you without adding stress. 

Your goals should feel exciting, not overwhelming. Start small if necessary—you can always level up later. 

Step 3. Choose Your Structure

Now that you've set your goals, it's time to plan the structure of your challenge. A clear framework helps you stay on track and keeps the experience fun and motivating.

Here are a few ideas to get you started.

Monthly Themes

Choose a focus for each month that aligns with your personal growth journey. For example:

• January could be about fresh starts and habit-building

• February might focus on relationships and communication

• March could explore health and wellness

• April might dive into creativity and personal style

Themes help you build momentum in different areas of your life while keeping things interesting.

Life Areas Balance

Structure your reading to touch on different aspects of your life you want to improve. Mix books about:

• Personal growth and mindset

• Health and wellness

• Home and lifestyle

• Career and productivity

• Relationships and communication

Bingo Card Approach

Create a list of prompts and check them off as you go.

• A book recommended by someone whose life inspires you

• A book about a habit you want to build

• A book that teaches a practical skill you've always wanted to learn

• A book about an area of your life you want to refresh

• A book that challenges your comfort zone in a positive way

A structure helps you avoid decision fatigue and aligns your reading with your personal growth goals. Plus, it adds an element of fun.

Remember, your structure should fit your lifestyle and what you want to learn. If it feels too rigid, tweak it until it works.

Step 4. Align with Your Schedule

A great reading challenge fits into your life—not vice versa. Start by being honest about how much time you can realistically dedicate to reading and learning.

You may be juggling a demanding career while caring for aging parents. Or you're finally getting time to focus on yourself now that the kids are more independent. 

Your reading routine should work with real life, not some idealized version. 

Here are a few practical approaches to consider:

Morning Me-Time: If you're trying to reclaim your mornings now that you're not driving kids to early practice, try reading just one chapter with your coffee. Even 15 minutes of reading about personal growth while you start your day can make a difference.

Lunch Break Learning: Use your lunch break to feed your mind, too. Reading a few pages about reinventing your career or managing stress might help you reset for the afternoon.

Evening Unwinding: Replace some of your evening TV time with reading. Books about mindfulness or creating new routines can help you decompress after a long day—and might give you ideas to try tomorrow. I like to read biographies and memoirs in the evenings before bed.

Weekend Inspiration: Set aside time on weekend mornings, when the house is quiet, to dive into that book about redesigning your empty nest or planning your next chapter.

Also, plan for real life to happen. Some weeks, you'll be swamped with work deadlines or family commitments, and that's okay. Having a flexible approach means you won't feel guilty when life gets hectic.

Think about your reading challenge like any other healthy habit—it's better to do a little bit consistently than to burn out trying to do too much. Reading should feel like a treat, not another task on your to-do list.

Step 5. Select and Organize Your Books

With your goals and schedule set, it's time to build your reading list. Start by curating books that genuinely excite you and align with this phase of your life.

Here are a few ways to find the right books:

Start with Your TBR Pile: Those books you picked up at the airport shop or ordered after hearing about them on your favorite podcast? Now's the perfect time to dust them off and see which ones still spark interest.

Ask the Right People: Look for recommendations from women who inspire you—maybe that friend who successfully changed careers in her forties or the colleague who always seems to have her life completely organized. They might point you toward books that helped them, not just the latest trending titles.

Check Reviews Strategically: When browsing online reviews, look for comments from readers in similar life stages. These readers are more likely to understand whether a book offers practical, mature advice or is better suited for twenty-somethings just starting out.

Once you've picked your books, keep them organized in a way that works for you. You could try:

Digital Lists: If you love your iPad, use apps like Goodreads or your Notes app to track your reading list. You can easily add thoughts about which ideas you want to try or what resonates most.

Physical Journal: If you prefer paper, keep a simple notebook listing your books and jot down important points. Sometimes, writing things by hand helps us remember them better.

Visible Reminders: Keep your current read somewhere you'll see it—maybe on your nightstand or near your favorite reading chair. Out of sight often means out of mind.

An organized reading list helps you focus on the important part—reading and implementing what you learn. Plus, looking back at your completed books can be a wonderful reminder of how much you've grown.

Step 6. Add an Accountability System

Sticking to your reading challenge can be easier—and more fun—when you share the journey. Building in some accountability keeps you motivated and gives you a way to celebrate your progress.

Remember, you can keep your progress private or share as much as you feel comfortable. The goal is to stay motivated and use your learning, not just check boxes.

Here are a few ideas that might work for you:

Book Buddy System

Find a friend interested in personal growth and check in with each other. You could read books about reinventing your style, then meet for coffee to discuss what you're trying. Or share thoughts about that productivity book while you take your weekend walk together.

Online Communities

Join spaces where women are having honest conversations about books that matter. Goodreads has plenty of groups focused on personal development, or you might find Facebook groups where women share their journeys of reinvention and growth.

Make It Personal

Create your own simple tracking system. It could be notes in your planner about ideas you want to try or a special journal where you reflect on what you're learning. 

If you already use a weekly planner, add a small checkbox for your reading sessions alongside other habits like walking or meditation. You can also create a simple "ideas to try" list in your Notes app, adding takeaways as you read. 

Sometimes, the best accountability is seeing your own progress written down.

Step 7. Celebrate Milestones

Every step forward is worth celebrating, especially when you put what you learn into practice. Recognizing your progress motivates you and helps you appreciate how far you've come.

Here are a few meaningful ways to mark your milestones:

• Create Something New: When you finish that book about refreshing your home office or updating your wardrobe, take some time to implement one key idea. Your celebration becomes part of your transformation.

• Share Your Insights: Over lunch with a friend, discuss how that book on setting boundaries changes your relationships or how the productivity strategies you learned make your workday smoother. Sometimes, saying it aloud helps us realize how much we've grown.

• Treat Yourself: Have you finished a book that inspired you? It may be time to buy that beautiful journal you've been eyeing, schedule that massage you've been putting off, or take yourself on that solo gallery date you've been thinking about.

• Reflect and Plan: Take a quiet moment with your favorite beverage to write down what's shifted for you. Which ideas are you using? What changes do you notice? What do you want to explore next?

Of course, the real win isn't finishing the book—it's in the small changes you're making and the new perspectives you're gaining. 

Step 8. Adjust as You Go

Life has a way of surprising us, and sometimes, even the best-laid plans need tweaking. If your reading challenge starts feeling more like a burden than a source of inspiration, give yourself permission to adjust.

You may have picked up a highly recommended book about decluttering, but it may not be relevant to your current situation. 

Or that career development book feels too intense during a season when you're focusing on family needs. It's perfectly fine to set it aside for later.

You might need to:

• Switch from evening reading to morning sessions when your energy is fresher.

• Take a break from heavier topics and pick up something more energizing.

• Slow down to implement ideas instead of racing through books.

• Choose a different format, like audiobooks, for your daily walk.

Your reading journey should add to your life. Sometimes, the most valuable insight isn't in finishing every book you start but in knowing which ones deserve your precious time and attention.

Start Your Reading Challenge Today

Whether you're looking to reinvent your style, refresh your space, boost your productivity, or rediscover what lights you up, the right books can help guide you.

What makes this challenge different is that it's entirely yours. You're not trying to keep up with what everyone else is reading or racing to hit some arbitrary goal. Instead, you're creating a flexible framework that supports where you are and where you want to go.

Ready to begin? Start small:

• Write down one area of your life you'd like to explore or improve.

• Choose your first book—maybe one that's already calling to you from your shelf.

• Schedule reading time on your calendar for this week.

Remember, the best reading challenge isn't about how many books you finish—it's about finding ideas that resonate, trying them out, and gradually building a life that feels more like you. 

And unlike those January-to-December reading challenges you might have tried before, you can start this one anytime. The perfect time to begin is when you're ready to change.

Your next chapter is waiting. Why not start today?