You’ve just finished reading a book. So, you close it feeling accomplished. But then, just a week later, you can barely recall what the book is all about. Does this feel familiar? Well, awkward moments like this are quite common among many aspiring readers and even book lovers. It can be very frustrating!
Times like this make one wonder how some popular figures in most success stories did it. We’ve heard stories of how Warren Buffett devours 500 pages a day. Bill Gates reads 50 books a year. Even Oprah’s book club is quite legendary. It’s clear that reading is a superpower for many high achievers. But how are these people pulling it off? How’s all the information not slipping through their minds like water through a sieve? Perhaps they have a photographic memory?
Well, for starters, you don’t need to have a photographic memory before you can retain information. You just need to embrace reading habits ( and other good habits you create for yourself ) and approach it from a different, more productive angle. Before long, you’ll no longer nod along in conversations about books, hoping no one asks you specifics about a bestseller a book you definitely read recently.
So folks, that’s why I’m here today. In this post, I’ll be sharing helpful and practical tips on how to remember and apply what you have read!
Tips and Tricks on How To Retain What You Read
Here’s the thing: reading isn’t just about ticking books off a list or impressing people at dinner parties. It’s about growing, learning, and expanding your horizons. But, what’s the point if you can’t remember the juicy bits that could actually make a difference in your life?
Don’t worry, I’ve got some tried-and-true techniques that’ll help you master the art of reading retention. Let’s get started!
Read with a purpose.
Ever heard the saying, “If you aim at nothing, you’ll hit it every time”? The same goes for reading. Before you pick up a book or article to read, take a moment to ask yourself, “What do I want to get out of this?” Having a clear goal in mind helps train your brain focus from the get-go. That way, you will be able to remember what you read. This principle should also be applied when you listen to audiobooks instead of reading.
Try this: Jot down 2-3 questions you want the text to answer. As you read, keep an eye out for those answers. You can liken such actions to going on a treasure hunt. Your brain knows what you seek. So, it’ll be more alert and engaged whenever you read an important subject.
Master proper reading mechanics.
This may sound odd. After all, you’ve been reading since you were a kid. So, how can you possibly be doing it all wrong? Well, hear me out. Remember the saying, “Insanity is doing the same thing over and over and expecting a different result?” Well, if how you position yourself physically when you read a book isn’t helping with retention, why not introduce some small tweaks?
To get started, ditch the subvocalization. I’m talking about that little voice in your head that reads along. Subvocalization slows you down, can cause avoidable distractions, and even makes reading comprehension harder. Instead, try to visually process chunks of words at a time for better understanding. Then, repeat for the next chunk of words. It takes practice, but it’ll speed up your reading and improve focus.
Another approach is to use your finger or a guide (like a ruler) to move down the page. It may seem childish, but this simple trick keeps your eyes on track. Paying attention is easier this way, which significantly boosts your reading speed and comprehension.
Read when you’re rested.
Let’s be honest we’ve all tried to squeeze in some reading when we’re exhausted. But alas, we find ourselves re-reading the same paragraph five times. You need your brain to process and retain all the important information you’re about to feed it. So, why read when you are already mentally drained, fatigued, and stressed?
Your brain needs to be firing on all cylinders to retain information effectively. So, pick your prime reading time, i.e., when you’re at your optimal best mentally. Are you a morning person? Save complex reads for your first cup of coffee. Alternatively, if bedtime reading works best for you, ensure you get enough rest during the day. Always try to schedule your most challenging read to your most alert times.
Highlight and annotate.
Highlighting confers importance to your brain, increasing your chances of recall. However, you must be strategic about it. Highlighting everything defeats the purpose.
Start by developing a color-coding system. For example, use yellow for key concepts, green for supporting evidence, and blue for points you want to research further. This visual organization helps your brain categorize information as you read.
But, don’t just highlight. You should also annotate, i.e., jot down key points and book summaries on book margins or blank sheets of paper. Note your questions, connecting ideas, or even real-life applications as you read. Proper documentation by journaling or typing your notes into Evernote or similar note-taking applications can be equally beneficial. Having such an active engagement with the text is like having a conversation with the author, making the content more memorable.
Create mental images.
Our brains are wired to remember images better than words, so why not use that to our advantage? As you read, try to visualize the concepts. So, the next time you read about leadership strategies, try to imagine yourself implementing them in a boardroom. The same goes for those historical books. Picture yourself at the scenes. Let the events unfold like a movie in your mind.
What about abstract concepts? Try to make it relatable. Go from the known to the unknown. How? You can try creating metaphors or analogies. Relating new abstract information to something familiar makes it stick better. So, let’s assume you’re reading about computer networks. You can make it more relatable by imagining a postal system with data packets as letters.
Here’s a secret: the weirder or more vivid the mental image, the more likely you are to remember it. So don’t be afraid to get creative!
Practice active recall.
After all is said and done, practicing active recall may take the cake. Active recall is like giving your brain a mini-quiz as you go along. You’re not just passively rereading. No, it’s about actively challenging your memory to retrieve information. This process helps strengthen the neural pathways associated with what you’ve just learned. As such, the recalled information is much more likely to stick around in your long-term memory.
How can you practice active recall? Take periodic pauses when reading. It could be after you finish a book chapter or section. Close the book and ask yourself, “What were the main points I just read?” Try to recall as much as you can without peeking. At different junctures of the table of contents, try and summarize everything you’ve learned in your own words. The best part about active recall is that it not only helps you retain information. It’ll also help highlight any gaps in your understanding as early as possible.
It’s not about how many books you can read, but how much knowledge you can absorb and apply.
By implementing these strategies from reading with purpose to practicing active recall you’re not just reading; you’re investing in your personal and professional growth. But hey, your journey to becoming a more effective reader and leader doesn’t stop here. Why not take it to the next level?
Explore more game-changing insights on my blog. It’s packed with fresh, actionable content to help you level up your leadership game. You can also tune into my weekly podcast, where we break down complex leadership topics and scale your business.
Talking about leadership and scaling your business, check out these posts: best books for leadership and the best books for starting a business for valuable insights.
Let’s grow together! See you there!
