Are you one of the people, who have a long list of books to read (or) a shelf full of books that you always wanted to read but never got around to actually reading them. Yes. I am one of them. There have been some software books that I have bought that got outdated before I got to read them. :-) So I was looking at improving my reading speed!. I don't have any shame in acknowledging that I have been "planning" to read this small book for at least a year. :-)
I have some friends in Scotland who consistently read about one non-fiction book every week !. It always surprised me how they manage to read so fast.
First "speed reading" is not just about reading fast. It is about structured and selective reading that helps you to grasp "whatever" you wanted to get out of a book in a faster way.
Tina recommends a 5 step process for improving the reading speed.
- Prepare
- Preview
- Passing Reading
- Active Reading
- Selective Reading
Step 1: Prepare
Ask the following questions when you are considering reading anything (book/email/anything else)
Why I am reading this in the first place?
What do I already know?
What do I need to know?
The most important question is What is your Why? If you don't have a good enough reason to read the book. Just don't. One book less. :-)
Step 2: Prepare
The purpose of this section is to get familiar with the structure of the book.
1. What does it look like?
2. Are there summaries and conclusions?
3. Are there any pictures?
4. What's the size of the print?
5. Is it broken into sections?
In this process, it's important to eliminate sections that you don't want to read and highlight the areas that you want to read. Reaffirm the decision on what you want from the book.
A 300-page book will take about 5 minutes for this activity.
Step 3: Passive Reading
Passive reading will help to familiarise with the language of the book.
1. Scan the pages at the rate of few seconds per page
2. Look for any technical jargons or difficult words? Are you comfortable with the language?
Again, the 300-page book should take only 5-10 minutes for this stage.
Step 4: Active Reading
This is the first time you actually read the book.
1. Read the first paragraph of each chapter
2. The first line of each paragraph. If the paragraph is long read the last line of the paragraph.
3. If you own the book read actively by underlining, highlighting or mind map.
Step 5: Selective Reading
The purpose of the first 4 steps is to select what you want to read 'intelligently'.
Now you exactly know what you actually want to read in the book.
Not only that you have already scanned through the book a few times and that will help in retaining the content in your memory.
As you read periodically ask 'Do I have what I want '. If yes stop reading.
Even if you decide to read the entire book, you will read if much faster.
There are chapters with techniques for each step. There is also a 21-day program sheet to practice and bring speed reading as a habit.
After reading the book, I connected with Tina on LinkedIn. Based on her LinkedIn profile this was the first book that she published in 2000. What is more impressive is that she has mastered the art of reading even that younger age clearly articulated the technique in the form of a book. I highly recommend the book for anyone planning read more.
