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| In the modern age of
information, reading truly is a fundamental survival
skill. Here are ten tips that anyone can use to
improve their reading skills |
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| 1. |
You
don't have to be a great reader to get the point.
Some people read fast and remember everything. Others
read slowly and take a couple of times to get all
the information. It doesn't matter, really, so long
as when you read, you get the information you're
seeking. |
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| 2. |
Know WHY
you're reading.
Are you reading for entertainment or to learn something?
Decide why you're reading before you start and you'll
greatly improve your comprehension and your enjoyment. |
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| 3. |
You don't
need to read everything.
Not every magazine, letter, and email you receive
contains information you need. In fact, most of
it is simply junk. Throw it away, hit the delete
key! Just doing this will double the amount of time
you have available to read. |
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| 4. |
You don't
need to read all of what you DO read.
Do you read every article of every magazine, every
chapter of every book? If so, you're probably spending
a lot of time reading stuff you don't need.
Be choosy: select the chapters and articles that
are important. Ignore the rest. |
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| 5. |
Scan before
you read.
Look at the table of contents, index, topic headers,
photo captions, etc. These will help you determine
if, a) you have a real interest in this reading,
and b) what information you're likely to get from
it. |
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| 6. |
Prioritize
your reading.
You can't read everything all at once (and wouldn't
want to). If it's important, read it now. If it's
not, let it wait. |
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| 7. |
Optimize
your reading environment.
You'll read faster and comprehend more if you read
in an environment that's comfortable for you. |
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| 8. |
Once you
start, don't stop!
Read each item straight through. If you finish and
have questions, go back and re-read the pertinent
sections. If you don't have questions, you got what
you needed and are ready to move on. |
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| 9. |
Focus.
Remember, you're reading with a purpose, so focus
on that purpose and the material. If you lose interest
or keep losing your place, take a break or read
something else. You can keep track of where you
are by following along with your hand. This simple
technique helps you focus and increase your concentration. |
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| 10. |
Practice!
The more you read, the better reader you'll become
(and smarter, too)! So, feed your mind: read! |
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| Jim
M. Allen is a life, career, & business coach
-- and an avid reader |
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