Not So Fast, Rubber Ducky

My client selection process assesses clients' readiness to commit to an uninterrupted period of hyper-growth spread over a specific timeframe, determined by the nature of their goal. Naturally, selected high performers desire to consume a profuse amount of information in the quickest way possible. Sooner or later, the topic of speed reading rears its controversial head.

The possibility of speed reading depends on the nature of the reading material.

Let's focus on nonfiction and identify two common categories: popular works produced for a general audience that use common language, and scholarly works tailored to a specific field of research, written in the technical language of the relevant field. Consider the contrast between National Geographic magazine and Biology of the Cell journal. National Geographic is a popular work that uses vivid photography, engaging writing, and expert analysis to educate and entertain readers. Biology of the Cell is a scholarly work that provides detailed information on the structure, function, and behavior of cells, aimed at a specialized audience of biologists and cell researchers.

Popular articles on abstract topics such as leadership often include a lot of fluff for context and background, which can be skimmed through to speed up reading. However, if the concepts are new, it's better to slow down and take your time to process them. If the concepts are already familiar to you, it is possible to read faster, using working memory to connect them with other concepts in the material.

When it comes to a research paper, speed reading may not work due to multiple roadblocks, such as industry-specific terminology and new unfamiliar to you research data. Your reading and comprehension will pick up pace once you are familiar with the subject and the subject-specific terminology. Until then, speed reading without fully comprehending what you've read is a waste of time.

In order to speed up your comprehension of the new material, you can intentionally familiarize yourself with common subject-specific terminology before picking up an academic journal. The recognition of familiar terms and concepts will help you power through your next read.

Another way to improve your reading comprehension and speed is by using the Feynman Technique. This approach, which was popularized by Nobel Prize physicist Richard Feynman, involves explaining complex concepts in simple terms. In a similar vein to the Rubber Duck debugging method used by engineers in Silicon Valley, Feynman would ask mathematicians to explain their theories to him in layman's terms. By doing so, both parties would reach the same conclusion, even though Feynman was not an expert in their subject.

To use the Feynman Technique to speed up your comprehension, you can follow these steps:

Step 1: Study your topic of interest and take notes on the key concepts and terminology.

Step 2: Retell the concept to yourself as if you were explaining it to a middle schooler. Use simple language and try to avoid jargon.

Step 3: As you speak, identify any gaps in your understanding or any areas where you struggle to explain the concept.

Step 4: Return to your studies and revisit the gaps you have identified. Look up any unfamiliar terms or concepts, and try to find additional resources that can help you better understand the material.

By using the Feynman Technique, you can improve your understanding of complex topics and speed up your reading comprehension, while strategic skimming can help you power through your favorite popular magazines.

So, what new concept will you learn today?