Speed Reading: Read 66.6% Quicker and Learn Faster Than The Devil.

Unlocking the Power of Speed Reading: Read 66.6% Quicker and Learn Faster

NINE OF MINE - Welcome back to the third installment of this series where I aim to help you discover valuable techniques for personal growth and success. I'm excited to share one of my essential methods with you today that can revolutionize the way you consume information and enhance your learning experience. If any of these insights resonate with you, I'm thrilled to have contributed to your journey of improvement and conquering challenges.

Three of Nine - Speed Reading

As we delve into the third part of this series, keep in mind that we're just scratching the surface. Six more pieces await you, each designed to provide you with new tools to master life's challenges. But for now, let's focus on a technique that can make these upcoming pieces even more effective.

The Ever-Growing Knowledge Landscape & Information Overflow

When was the last time you attended a reading class? Do you remember how you learned reading, letter by letter? That technique is suboptimal, at best.

? In today's knowledge-driven economy, speed reading isn't just a skill to covet; it's a skill you must possess.

Here's a non-exclusive list Why:

? Reduce Stress: Deal with your inbox and information overflow easier.

? Stay Ahead: Stay current with the flood of available knowledge.

? Gain Time: Less time reading, is more time for your loved ones.

? Enjoy Reading: Turn reading into a pleasurable activity.

? Boost Brain Power: Your neural and cognitive capabilities expand.

? Enhance Brain Health: Reading helps to combat cognitive decline.

The underlying problematic

"A picture says a thousand words" – a phrase etched in history since Fred Barnard of Printers' Ink coined it in 1927. Take my hand and let us wander and wonder for a moment.

Imagine stepping into an unfamiliar room. How quickly can you grasp what you see, the layout, furniture, and decor? It's practically instant. Now, imagine trying to describe all that with words. The time required for such an explanation multiplies exponentially.

????This reveals why basically every memory technique relies on visuals! Our brains thrive on emotions, imagery, and internal links, not abstract words.

The way we look at text

There is this infamous quote from Dr. Wayne Dyer:

If you change the way you look at things,the things you look at change. - Dr. Wayne Dyer

Images are the swiftest way our mind processes information, bar none. Now what makes the difference between a speed reader and a normal reader?

It starts with the way they look at things already! A normal reader reads word by word, every phrase, every line, every paragraph.

An experienced reader utilizes his peripheral view. Our brains can process easily more than one word at once, but you need to let them!

Fun fact (I promise it's entertaining): Just the way we where we look at a single word matters already! Spri!zr, a reading App, does nothing more than adjusting the position of words - That alone fundamentally changes the way you read already! I found this CodePen for you, so can have a quick view of the concept!

https://codepen.io/keithwyland/pen/yLyLNz

????Best tip to improve: Force yourself to hold your reading material at a good distance and let your eyes move in 2-3 "jumps" per paragraph, allowing your eyes and brain to read ahead of your consciousness.

Subvocalization: The voices in our heads

The average reading speed of an adult is around 250 words per minute (WPM).

The average talking speed of the voices in our heads is 200-300 WPM.

Coincidence? Surely not.

Most of us, untrained in speed reading, peak at a maximum of 300 words per minute – because our internal voice operates at a maximum of 300 words per minute.

Subvocalization is the habit of mentally pronouncing words as we read. It is the way we learned reading the first time, identifying letter by letter. As an adult, this habit is holding us back from reading faster.

??The best tip to stop: Press your tongue against the roof of your mouth while reading. Your brain will be tricked into thinking your tongue is unavailable and therefore rather "freely think" than "read out loud inside your mind".

Context matters

There is a lot more to speed reading than that. However, my intention is not to teach you speed reading today - I want to enable you to understand that it would be wise to learn it, for several reasons.

When you approach speed reading, it will help to be aware of these points:

Fundamental Areas of Mastery:

1. People: Understand who the characters are, their motives, and their actions within the text, or those who wrote the text.
2. Vocabulary: Grasp specialized words or jargon that might be unfamiliar to you. Note them down. Look them up.
3. Formulas, Statistics, Numbers, Graphs: Gain proficiency in decoding numerical data. The more often you do it, the easier it becomes.
4. Headings, Subheadings, Paragraphs: Identify the crux of the content by honing in on crucial ideas and visual hints.
5. Preparation & Questions: We all know preparation is great. Prioritize reading questions first to navigate the text effectively.
6. Reasoning & Goals: What is your inner reason to understand the text? What is your intention in reading it? We all know how much motivation matters.
7. Always adapt: It is exhausting to read at maximum speed. It makes no sense either. If you read for entertainment, speed is not a priority. Always adjust your reading speed accordingly to the text and situation.

So where should you start?

Introducing Howard Berg's Speed Reading Technique

Now, let's dive into an approach that promises to elevate your reading speed and comprehension. Howard Berg, a renowned speed reading expert, has developed a technique that challenges traditional reading habits.

Berg's Technique in a Nutshell:

1. Eliminate Subvocalization: The first step is to break free from the habit of mentally pronouncing each word as you read. This internal voice slows you down significantly. Instead, allow your eyes to glide over the words without vocalizing them.
2. Use Peripheral Vision: Expand your field of vision to capture groups of words in a single glance. Our eyes are capable of capturing multiple words at once, and Berg's technique harnesses this ability.
3. Minimize Regressions: Re-reading sentences or sections can hinder your pace. Berg's technique encourages forward momentum. Trust your brain's ability to retain information in one pass.
4. Practice Visualization: Tap into the power of visualization. Create mental images of the concepts you encounter. This engages your brain's visual processing center and enhances comprehension.
5. Increase Speed Gradually: Begin by increasing your reading speed by 10-20%. Over time, as your brain adapts, keep pushing your limits. Remember, the more you practice, the more fluid and efficient your reading becomes.

By embracing Howard Berg's speed reading technique, you're embarking on a journey of exponential learning. This method aligns perfectly with the knowledge-based economy we find ourselves in. As you unlock the ability to read faster while maintaining comprehension, you're not just gaining a skill; you're gaining an edge.

Howard Bergs technique is just one of many approaches, find the one that fits you!

Imagine the power of absorbing information, diving into texts, and emerging with a deep understanding in a fraction of the time. This technique isn't just about speed; it's about mastery and using modern solutions to modern problems!

Are you ready to unleash your inner speed reader?

Oh, and in case you've wondered:

It was 5 years ago that I picked speed reading. By now, I read with up to 850 words per minute and with an Effective Reading Rate of up to 98%. You can google the latter. So I can promise you, it's not fluff, it's a serious skill ,-)

I'm looking forward to you lovely people reading more, happier, faster! I'd love to hear about your successes - You're always most welcome to send a DM, comment, or post about your progress and tag me! I'll surely reply!

Thank you for reading and have a great day!

Note: You can find the second part of the series - A beautiful Mind - here:

https://bit.ly/BeautifulMindBypauL

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