Most of us wish we read more books but we all reckon we don't have time. A major reason is because you can't multitask while reading as you can while watching TV and playing on the web. Reading usually requires more of your attention and reading for pleasure sounds so decadent in our busy lives. But you don’t find time to read; you make it. We all know about time management and reading needs to be scheduled when you can dedicate time.

Audiobooks
If multi-tasking is still vital to you, then consider downloading an audio version of a book onto your phone or computer, or buy on CD. This is a good option if your commute is long but you can't actually read a book as you're the driver. Other great times to listen include while cooking or cleaning or doing other mindless chores. Some public libraries offer free audiobook downloads so check and start listening.

Schedule That Time
Bedtime is a common time to read so simply head up 15 minutes earlier and get in the routine of a few pages before going to sleep. For many, bedtime is one of the quieter times of the day so a good opportunity but you might prefer over breakfast, between meetings, etc.

Read During Lunch
If you normally eat at your desk then don't work too. Move away from the PC and get the book out.

Carry Your Book Everywhere
Time to read can present itself throughout the day: standing in line at the supermarket, waiting for a friend, while dinner cooks, etc. and if your book is always there you can use those minutes to read more.

Read at the Gym
If you find the time to workout you can find the time to read and some exercise equipment has a book holder, especially exercise bikes.

Read What You Enjoy
There's no reason to read the book everyone's talking about if the subject doesn't interest you. And you don't have to read 'the classics' just because you think everyone else has. You want to enjoy reading so choose what appeals to you.

eReaders
If you're embarrassed by your choice of reading material then download it as an ebook as all books look the same on a Kindle.

Read More Than One Book at a Time
This may sound crazy when you feel you can't find the time to finish one book but having a book at bedtime, another in the kitchen for while the kettle boils, another for your commute, etc. soon makes sense and you'll be surprised how well this 'reading in context works'.

Abandon Bad Books
Don't battle on if a book is too much hard work. Sometimes it takes a few pages, or chapters, for it to really grip you, but if it doesn't don't suffer. Put it on the shelf for another day and choose a new book.

Take a Book Where You Can't Take a Computer
Popular choices are sitting on a park bench, while walking – yes, you can read and walk, just be careful where you step, or in the bathroom. Yep, reading in the bath or on the toilet is your 'alone time' so why not read while you've got the peace?

Use Reading as a Reward
By being kind to yourself and allowing yourself to take a break to read you can reduce stress levels as while reading you can forget your problems. Then look at it the other way and use reading as the motivation to get a job done faster so you can read more of your book.

While you need to strike a balance between being social and fitting in reading it can be done. Stop being dictated to by a television schedule and take control of your time. No-one is saying you can't watch your favourite shows but you could record them and watch them at a more convenient time.

Books are hugely entertaining as well as offering a wealth of learning. They also help us gain perspective – especially biographies – and reading more improves your writing too.

Do you have more tips that have worked for you? Please let us know below.

No, it's not an embarrassing disease or another name for a metrosexual gentleman. FOMO is Fear Of Missing Out. It's what stops us from switching off our PC and from turning off our phone as we don't want to miss something everyone else will know.

Social media users get this more as it lets us see exactly what we're missing out on. Many people share on social media channels to brag and make others feel envious so while you're sitting at home they can be taunting you from a great event or somewhere you think you would rather be.

While some people are able to recognise they can't be at all the places they would like to be and can then happily live vicariously through others sharing instant news about what's happening there on Twitter, Facebook or Foursquare, some find this only increases their feelings of inadequacy and low self-esteem. We are so connected with one another that we can’t just be alone anymore.

But was that event really so splendiferous if most of the participants were on their smartphones and not enjoying the moment? Those attending also had FOMO issues and their need to share with strangers was stronger than their need to interact with real people all around them.

Many say they can't switch off because emails are always coming in and most of us can relate to the burgeoning Inbox. There is a feeling of accomplishment when clearing emails but at least an hour of the working day is lost in trying to fight this losing battle. With smartphones many never stop checking for the latest message and Graham Jones, internet psychologist, explains it's hard to switch off as we subconsciously like receiving lots of emails and messages.

A test found signs of depression were experienced by a group when email spam filters caught more of their junk mail as each email feels like a reward. While a face-to-face meeting can bring our brains one bit of stimulus, emails can give us so much more and therefore offer us more reinforcement. Do you boast about how many emails are in your Inbox? Many do and possibly unknowingly make those with fewer emails feel they are less important.

Of course, FOMO is hardly new. Newspaper society pages and even holiday postcards have let us know what we're missing out on for a long time. It bears similarities to the "grass is always greener" – that what someone else is doing must be better than what you are left to do – and "keeping up with the Joneses" by trying to never miss out on the latest news.

Following someone's life on social media isn't a full picture and, thankfully, many still hold back some of their day so we are just seeing the edited highlights. Many read posts from their long-lost friends on Facebook and see a lifestyle they wish they had – maybe all your school friends are now married with children and you're feeling eternally single after another breakup.

While Facebook can be positive and keep friends and family all across the world connected it can also regularly make us feel that we’ve made the wrong decision about how to spend our time.

Text messages seem to demand an instant response and some people still text while driving because the possibility of a social connection is more important than their own lives (and the lives of others) when the reality is that there are few things so truly important in life, they can’t wait.

I heard a boss say he would send messages to his staff at evenings or weekends and would actually expect to receive a message, and he used it as a way to check his employees' commitment. He even emailed a certain employee at 2am on a weekend as he knew he'd get a response back – and he did.

As is always the way with new technology, younger people are actually evolving to be able to multitask much more efficiently. Multitasking is a worthwhile skill, and the greater stimulation is good for our minds but our email needs better management. Stop copying people in to cover your back and to make sure everyone knows. Keep emails short – three sentences is recommended – and make it clear if a response is actually needed.

How does FOMO affect you? Do you ever truly stop work and does keeping up with 'friends' on social media often feel like an extension of the working day?

You may also enjoy these articles:
·         Could You Live Without Your Mobile Phone?
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It's taken me ages to get it together to write this article; which is quite comical considering the subject is procrastination. And I'm sure you can recognise the pattern as I got lots of others things done when I should have been writing this as it's always easier to put off what you should be focusing on. Maybe I didn't want to know the truth about my lack of productivity but recognising procrastination is the best way to get it under control.

Sure, we could always find something else to do (I can help with lots of excuses, if needed) but why not have a think about why we replace high priority actions with low priority ones or swap them for something more enjoyable that gives us a sense of achievement much sooner.

The 'To Do' List
The great thing about procrastinators is that we often know what we should be doing, even if we're not doing it. Making the list is only the start as prioritisation is important too. Putting the washing on is needed but is making a difficult call more important today? Also, keep an eye on how long a task stays on your 'To Do' list as that should flag up your avoidance. Are you avoiding doing things because the task is unpleasant? Or is it just boring but necessary? We all seek comfort in completing tasks that are simpler and not tackling the big tasks so they need to be divided up into steps.

Each task on the list need to be kept to less than 30 minutes and the way to achieve that is to break some down into manageable steps. Try making each step 10-15 minutes and intend to switch tasks after completed. Often by actually starting you'll gain the impetus to continue.

Review your progress at the end of the day and plan the next but do avoid over-planning as it can be better just to get on with some things and not add them to the list. And don't spend time stating how busy you are as justification for your procrastination; that's just further wasted time.

This new time management scheme doesn't mean all work and no play as relaxation can, and should, be factored into your day. Just because there are 24 hours in the day it doesn't mean you have to time manage them all. Block off time to do nothing if that helps you know it's coming.

Use Rewards
To get on with the avoided tasks you need motivation so having no 'To Do' list, or no sense of urgency, won't help. Shaming yourself into getting things down can work. What happens if you don't do it? Consider the consequences, who it affects and the cost of not doing it – your time always has a value.

A nicer way is to reward yourself as we all like treats so using the same principle as sticker charts for kids, work out your treat system. Maybe a proper lunch break, or some time-wasting on social media sites (yes, that's not forbidden!) Maybe a chocolate bar or a glass of wine. Maybe a work-free evening and a movie. You know what you crave so don't deny yourself; but give yourself a reason to have that treat. If you feel like you've earned it then you're likely to enjoy it more. Guilt-free treats are always best.

You Are Not Alone
Get help with decisions that are taking up too much of your time. Try noting the pros and cons and get another perspective from a friend.  If you have colleagues who could do the task well then consider passing it on. At home, delegation could mean the kids load the washing machine. Finally, you could also use peer pressure and ask someone to check on you. No-one likes being nagged so it may help you get on with things.

Student Style
(Yes, this was the image I found when searching for 'studying'!)
Having optimism is great but believing you'll finish a large task with a tight deadline is self deception. Think of the student pulling an "all-nighter" to complete an assignment and still passing the course therefore reinforcing the avoidance and procrastination pattern and perpetuating the myth that they are more productive under pressure and that by leaving tasks until the last minute you spend less time. But really it's not your best work and you'll always be under-achieving.

Being disorganised is another common reason for things not getting done. Work out the time needed and set a deadline. Then look at your priorities and get the task started.

Perfectionists
Interestingly, perfectionists are often procrastinators. They don't believe they have the skills to complete a task so they don't start. Fear of failure is understandable but learn to accept you can't do everything perfectly. Don't let frustration win and if a task doesn't get completed do reschedule it.

Now we have some pointers to guide us from our time wasting ways do try this completely unscientific quiz to find out if you are a procrastinator and let us know in 'Comments' below.

Persuasion techniques are all around us from the adverts for products you should buy "because you're worth it" to the pester power of children to get what they want. Knowing how to be persuasive is a useful skill but not when lying becomes a part of the scheme.  

"I'm just going to use the boss's office while his away. No, don't call him. He won't thank you for bothering him while he's on holiday."

Telling you someone in authority says it's OK and that you don't need to check with them is a cruel technique as the suggestion that your boss will be angry with you makes you doubt your instinct which was to get confirmation.

"Others have already agreed so you don't need to get permission."

Have they really? Have you asked them or are these just persuasive lies? And why should you jump on the bandwagon anyway?

"You have to get this done today? Your boss really wants it finished."

Is that true or just persuasion and manipulation of the truth? Has your manager discussed the deadline with you directly? How can this person speak for your manager when surely they would ask you themselves if it was urgent?

These comments have come from persuasive business colleagues who know how to get their own way but it also feels like a pushy salesman:

"The deal ends today. You need to agree now so there isn't time to check elsewhere. I can only give you the discount if you sign up immediately."

Misleading offers to entice you to make a snap decision are sadly common in advertising and from salespeople who works on commission who need you more than you need them.

"No that was an old offer. It's [this, this and this]. I can arrange it all now. You need to make a decision. You don't want to miss out. This offer won't happen again. You won't beat this deal."

A better technique for opening a business conversation is to never assume that what you have will be wanted. That doesn't mean doubting you or your product but by saying, "I'm not sure if I can help" or "I'm not sure if you're the right person to speak to" reduces the pressure on that first conversation and makes you seem less desperate.

The Harvard Business Review found people lie more in emails than face to face and that seems very likely as it's always easier to write some things than say them. But, in return, it's also easier to ignore something in an email than when the recipient is standing in front of you.

This wonderful online guide to the Language of Persuasion explains really well how we become convinced to buy something we didn’t think we even wanted just by using the right techniques in the right ways. Being persuasive isn't about being aggressive and making someone feel uncomfortable; it's about getting the information across about the good points of a 'deal' in a way that makes the recipient feel they are making their own decision. No-one wants to be so subservient that control of their own life is reduced. But with the right persuasion everyone can be left feeling that they are a winner.