How many times have you looked at your stack of reading materials, and felt overwhelmed? Most of us are bombarded with more and more written information every day- magazines, reports, e-books, newspapers, professional studies- it seems to never stop.
All this information has made becoming a speed-reader a necessity for those who want to stay on top of their profession. Reading faster and increasing comprehension has become a mandatory time management technique.
Evelyn Wood developed speed-reading, in 1959. Currently, there are a wide variety of classes and techniques available for anyone who wants to master this skill. There are classes, books, audio programs, and computer programs to suit any learning style.
Here are five quick steps you can use right now to increase your reading speed and comprehension:
1.Prepare to read- set aside some time in a distraction-free environment. Find a comfortable spot, and check your focus. If you find you are having a hard time concentrating on what you are reading, close your eyes, and take a couple of deep breaths. If that doesn’t work, and you are still distracted, put off your reading for another time.
2.Overview the material- look at the titles and subtitles. Ask yourself,” Why am I reading this book? What can I learn from it?”
3.Preview- read the introduction, and the first sentence of each paragraph. Determine what the focus of the piece is, and what the key points are.
4.Read Actively-Underline the main points, mark any areas that are significant to you. Take note of anything that you don’t understand, as well as any topics you find for discussion.
5.Finally, relate what you are reading to what you already know. This will put everything in context for you, and help you remember more of what you read.
Speed-reading is a skill that is built up over time. If you begin to practice it, even for 15 minutes each day, you’ll see results quickly.