Why Bother Reading? Tips to Help You Remember What You Read

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Introduction

The frequently asked question I’ll be answering in the newsletter is, “I don’t remember what I read, so why bother?”

Have you ever read a book or article, only to realize later that you remember nothing you just read? It’s frustrating. But don't let it discourage you from reading altogether. Studies show that shortly after you learn something, you forget most of what you learn. Read up on the Curve of Forgetting. To get past that, though, you need to engage in what I call active reading. Bring the information in the book to life.

I'll explore some reasons for forgetting what you read and offer some tips to help you remember the information.

Problem: Forgetting What You Read

It's not uncommon to forget what you've read. There are many reasons this might happen, including:

1. Lack of Interest: If you're not interested in what you're reading, your brain is less likely to remember the information.
2. Distractions: If you're reading in a noisy or busy environment, your brain may struggle to focus on the text.
3. Poor Reading Habits: If you're skimming or reading too quickly, you may miss important details.

Solution: How to Remember What You Read

Don't worry. There are plenty of things you can do to help you remember what you read. Here are some tips:

1. Write your one-sentence purpose for reading the book: Before you read, set an intention for what you want to get out of the material. This helps you stay focused and engaged. Write the questions you want the book to answer.
2. Prepare your mind: Do five to 10 minutes of brain gym exercises such as jumping jacks and marching band. You want to connect both sides of the brain so you better absorb the information.?
3. Preview the book first before you read it: Read the preface, foreword, introduction and review the table of contents.
4. Note the sections and chapters of the book that align with your purpose for reading and answer the questions you have on the topic.
5. Read the sections and chapters you marked as important.
6. Note important information: Taking notes is learning, and it helps you to remember what you read.
7. Review your notes a few times and pick out the big ideas: Reviewing your notes moves the information to your long-term memory.
8. Combine ideas to make them bigger and better: Ideas are seldom fully formed. Experimenting with combining them makes them better. And another way for you to remember the information.
9. Apply the ideas at work and/or in your business: Applying what you learned from the book is another way to help you remember.

Reading this way keeps you engaged because it’s an active type of reading. One thing I advise clients to do is to treat nonfiction books as problem-solving tools. When you apply what you learn, you’ll likely remember the information.

Conclusion: Why Bother Reading?

So, why bother reading if you can't remember everything you read? The act of reading itself is valuable. It helps you grow and develop as a person, expands your knowledge and understanding of the world, and you develop empathy and critical thinking skills.

If you struggle to remember what you read, don't give up. Try the tips I've suggested to help you remember the information. Even if you don't remember everything you read, you're still benefiting from the act of reading itself.

Reading is a lifelong pursuit. And like any skill, it takes time and practice to develop. But the rewards are worthwhile.?

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