Reading is a fundamental skill, and the ability to do it quickly and effectively can significantly enhance one’s learning and productivity. If you’ve ever wondered how to speed read with confidence, this fantastic 5-step ultimate guide is here to help you unlock the secrets to rapid reading.
Table of Contents
1. Speed Read with a Distraction Free Environment
Reading is an activity that requires a lot of attention, which means that distractions are a big no-no.
The issue is that we live in a world full of distractions nowadays! From our friends sending us messages on our phones, to new notifications and emails coming in from every single bit of technology we own!
That’s not to mention the other distractions present that have nothing to do with technology! People speaking, loud disruptive music, bad lighting etc. These are all things that can make it way more difficult to read, let alone speed read!
So what are you supposed to do to avoid all of this?
Well, the truth is that you’re not always going to manage to make your environment completely distraction free. There are always going to be things that are out of your control, so the trick is working with what you have and tweaking it to make it work for you!
Use Noise Cancelling Headphones
Noise cancelling headphones are recently taking the world by storm! A lot of people struggle with hearing loud noises, and if you want to learn how to read faster then you definitely will need these!
Simply by blocking out background noise, your headphones will help you zone in on what you’re reading! There’s no need to listen to music or anything, you just need to put them on and enjoy the pure bliss of silence!
If you’re not a big fan of headphones, there are earplugs you can buy which are noise cancelling! Loop are a great and affordable option if you don’t want to go all out and buy headphones/earphones!
They’re made for neuro-divergent people who really struggle with senses and sounds, and they have different options for different situations! Pick whichever option works best for you, and you’re one step closer to being able to speed read!
Keep your Phone Far Away
This is really important because our phones are some of the biggest distractions we face day to day. Infact, Studies show that because certain activities on our phones are more engaging and enjoyable, this causes distraction when returning to our normal routine work.
I usually advise people to just put their phone away all together. It’s true that you could turn off your notifications, or silence your phone. Still, the truth is that it’s just as easy to switch them on again, or start checking your messages.
As long as your phone is within reach, you’re at high risk of using it and getting distracted! The best thing to do would be to put your phone away somewhere where you can’t reach it for a while. This will ensure that you don’t give into the urge!
2. Read More Than One Word at a Time to Speed Read
You might be wondering how it’s even possible to do this, but it is!
We have something called peripheral vision, which is basically when you can see outside of the focal point. Usually when we read, we often read one word a time.
The problem with this is that it really slows your reading speed down. When you take advantage of your peripheral vision, you can actually train yourself to read 2 to 4 words at a time!
It might take some practice, but this is exactly how I managed to speed up my reading time!
Try it out right here! For every word you read, notice the other 3 words next to it too. Now try to read the same sentence whilst reading every word individually. Which one was faster?
If you’re finding it difficult to do this, you can use your finger or a pen to help you absorb chunks of words! Try to view what you’re reading as a whole sentence rather than just a set of words, because this will really help you speed read!
Another bonus tip is to also skip certain words that are unnecessary in the text. This might seem like a really bad idea, but it’s actually called skimming! For example, take this sentence: ‘The fox killed the chicken and the duck.’ In this sentence, you don’t even need to read the ‘and‘ and ‘the‘ because your brain will already know that there are those words in between!
3. Stop Your Inner Monologue
Most of us have an inner monologue in our heads (although there is a small percentage of people who don’t), and although it can help us in some situations, it’s not going to help you speed read.
When we use our internal monologue to read, we are reading one word at a time. Now we already identified the issue with this in the last tip, but there’s another good reason not to do this.
If we read at the pace of our inner monologue, we are actually reading as fast as we speak. This means you’re reading much slower, because our rate of speech is far slower than our rate of reading.
Some people use their internal monologue whilst they’re reading because they might get lost if they don’t. If you relate to this, I have a great solution for you! Simply use your finger to keep track of where you are!
It might take some time and practice, but once you get rid of that inner voice you’re able to read much faster, much more efficiently and much better!
Conclusion
By following this fantastic 3-step ultimate guide, you’re on the path to becoming a speed reading master. Speed reading is not just about velocity; it’s about understanding and retaining information at an accelerated pace. With an optimized environment, expanded peripheral vision, no inner monologue, and regular practice, you can confidently embrace the world of speed reading and unlock new levels of efficiency in your learning journey. Happy reading!
Other Articles
The Ultimate Guide to Creating The Best Study Plan
Adult ADHD Symptoms: Thriving In A World For Neurotypicals
