Get the most from your books!
I recently sorted through my collection of business and self development books.
I had had some of them for a couple of decades. I felt it was time to decide which books were still of use to me and which could go.
Some of the books had dated. Some had been really useful and I had learnt all I was likely to learn from them. Some were books that I really had not found to be much use to me at all.
I had a quick look through the pile of books I was going to get rid of. Most went in the box for the charity shop. However, in one or two books I found some useful information which I had forgotten about. I know when I am likely to use these particular books again, on a project that I start in a couple of weeks. I have put them on one side for now.
After the sort-through, that still left a lot of books I continue to find extremely helpful, interesting and inspirational. These went back on the shelves.
Because I like learning from books, this process was a good time to think about my current personal and professional development needs. Have I got all the books I need for what I am currently doing? Well, yes I have, although I am always on the look-out for books that may offer something new.
I keep a shelf of books especially for my current initiatives. These tend to be books about skills development, where you read a section and put it into practice. Just now, they are books about the software I use, as I'd like to more proficient at using the resources I have got. There are also a couple of books about writing, as I am constantly trying to improve. I limit what I have got on that shelf because that way I keep my focus and I feel I definitely make more progress that way. I also link what I keep there to what I am aiming to achieve in that quarter. I must admit that I also several bird guides and a pair of binoculars, in case I happen to spot an unusual bird when I look out of the window! If things are busy, having the books on a shelf near to my desk reminds me to find a few minutes to practice the skills. If things are quiet, it's a reminder to use the time well. Learn something new every day!
Anne Jones, September 2010
Summer speed reading
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It may sound ridiculous, but relaxing with a good book and speed reading is a great way to boost your speed reading skills. I should know, as this is how I would practice for the speed reading competitions which used to be held at the end of August.
Pick a book that seems likely to you to be a page-turner: one of those books where you can't wait to discover what happens next. You could choose to use a warm up technique if you wanted, or just dive straight in. I used to estimate how long I thought it might take me before I started and set myself a challenge. Plan breaks. I often take a break after 45 minutes. You might want to take breaks at shorter intervals. I sometimes do. Ten minutes, twenty minutes, whatever would suit you.
You will know when you are in the flow: it is that great feeling of losing track of time and being completely absorbed by the book. Time seems to extend itself, somehow.
It is a great way to build your speed and have fun at the same time! Treat yourself to that book you've been longing to read!
I hope you have a wonderful summer. If you do practice with summer reading, I would love to hear how you get on.
Anne Jones, August 2010
Too much to read and too little time to do it?
Have you ever been in the situation where a great deal of important information has arrived all at once? You have to read it quickly and decide what action needs to be taken. You have lots of other, possibly urgent, information in your inbox. Knowing the best ways to approach the task can make a big difference. It makes it easier to manage the reading and the thinking processes. These three simple tips will help, whether you are a speed-reader or not.
The three most important things to do are:
Firstly, find out what is there. If it is a long document, print it out rather than read it on screen. It will make the task of looking quickly through it much easier. Glance briefly at each page. Highlight, mark and stick post-its where you identify key areas that need to be read in depth. It may be that this fast survey gives you all the information you need. If so, then the job is done!
With email, take a maximum of two minutes per email to reply, to delete and to delegate, as appropriate. If it is going to take more than two minutes, defer it. Plan a time to do the deferred emails. (If you regularly get overloaded with email, I would recommend reading Sally McGhee and John Wittry's Take Back Your Life (Microsoft Press). It explains how to use Outlook to manage email, as well as being a great book on time management.) Once you know what you have to do, you will feel more in control. You will also be more likely to do the reading required and to finish it more quickly.
Secondly, plan when you are going to do the reading. Include short breaks and changes of activity, as these help concentration. As soon as you schedule reading, it becomes more likely that you will actually do it. Also, planning helps you feel calm and organised, which can make a difference as to how effectively you absorb information.
Thirdly, think about your purpose for reading. What do you know already and what would you like to know? As soon as you do this, you are getting your brain ready to receive the information you are about to read. You are in charge of the process. Are you getting the answers you need? Is the information what you expected?
The main benefit of using these three ways of organising reading is that you are managing the process. You are not being overwhelmed by the reading workload. You are in control. You are aware of what you have to do and are in a position to prioritise. In terms of thinking, you have a head start!
Anne Jones, July 2010