200 / BECOMING MORE EFFECTIVE
Reading and remembering
Scanning the details
The faster you read, the more you will
remember. If you practice long enough,
you will be able to scan a document
and remember enough to hold a
conversation about it. Start by reading
whole sentences in one go. To do this,
focus your eyes on the sentence rather
than on each individual word. Move to
looking at paragraphs. Soon you should
be able to look at the page toward the
top, in the middle, and finally at the
bottom before you turn over.
We are bombarded with information all day. The key to success is to
be able to identify what is important and then remember it. Recalling
an important fact can make the difference between success or failure
in the heat of a negotiation or an important meeting.
Reading rapidly
Reading a textbook is not the same
as reading for pleasure. There is a
process for reading a textbook. Start
by reading the introduction, then read
the last chapter. At this point you should
know what the book is about and how it’s
structured; now, you can decide whether
it’s worth reading the rest. If you think
you would benefit from reading the
book, begin by looking at the headings
and diagrams on each page; you will be
surprised by how much you learn. Once
you have done your initial review, take
a break before you read the book as a
whole—this greatly reinforces learning.
words per minute
(wpm) is the average
reading rate. Skimming
is 700wpm and speed
readers reach over
4,000wpm
300
Try scanning the
whole document first.
Then read it at your
normal pace. You
will be surprised
how much you pick up
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READING AND REMEMBERING / 201
Learning from documents
When you are learning, try scanning the
whole document first. Then read it at
your normal pace. Just scanning first
will improve your understanding and
memory. If you are late and unprepared
for a meeting, try scanning some of your
documents. You will be surprised how
much you pick up. Even if it does not
work, you will be able to find most of the
information you need much more quickly.
Using mind maps
A mind map is an effective way to record
information in a succinct format that you
can easily remember. To create a mind
map that summarizes the content of a
book you have read, for example, start
by writing the subject of the book in the
center of a sheet of paper. Then draw
branches radiating from the subject
that sum up the major themes of the
book. Next, fill in smaller branches
containing the sub-themes, and finally
add detail to these sub-themes in the
outer “twigs” of your mind map.
Remembering the ideas
Use pictures and color liberally, as they
make your mind map more memorable
and will increase your recall of the
information. If you want to be sure that
you will remember the content of your
map, review it the day after you have
drawn it, one week later, one month
later, and finally one year later.
REMEMBERING NAMES
Most people worry about
remembering the names
of the people they meet. If
you have difficulty, try the
following: when you are
introduced, always repeat
the person’s name. While you
are doing this, look into the
individual’s face and identify
a feature that reminds you of
their names. Does Sr. Marrón
have brown hair, or is his hair
so startlingly different that
you will remember his name?
If there isn’t a feature that is
memorable, try imagining the
person acting their names—
Julia Stokes the steam engine,
for example, or Paul Parsons
preaching a sermon.
In focus
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