How to improve reading habits

Before reading a difficult piece of writing, take a few moments to close your eyes and relax while taking two or three deep breaths. Say to yourself that you can read with full concentration, recognize key information, and achieve high comprehension quickly to accomplish your needs. Believe you can, and you will.

This may simply sound like "positive mental attitude". Yet if you do not purposefully affirm the positive, you may be shutting off your true capacities by subtle anxieties about the task.

For example, if the material is dense and difficult to read, any anxiety about getting through it can cause lowered performance. The secret is to see the material simply as new and different, not dense and difficult...and be relaxed about it. Early confusion can create curiosity that guides you to search for and recognize the information you need. Your comprehension and overall reading performance can increase--all with just a few seconds of preparation.

Tip # 1: Browse and Play

Browse through the publication--frontwards or backwards--so that you get to know whatís in it and where itís located. Notice the layout and how the information is presented. Notice the table of contents and any special sections. Don't be too serious--it's best to be playful.

Notice which articles pique your interest, but don't read them yet. Catch titles, subtitles, pictures, and charts. When you find something interesting, think of how you can use it--reading for information should be a goal seeking activity. Decide how much time you can afford, and then go for it.

Follow this tip and your reading will become purposeful, active, questioning and goal oriented...this means you save time and get more information from the time you spend reading!

Tip # 2: Locate the Most Important Articles...and Be Smart

Get 80% of the information in 20% of the time by simply reading the title, subtitle, bold type, last paragraph and first paragraph--spend only 30-45 seconds. Then reflect on the relevance of the information for you. If it is important to read more, go to the next step. Otherwise, find another article.

Take 1-2 minutes to skim through the article to find the core idea. Know what is being expressed. Do you need more details? If not, find another article.

Read lightly and flexibly. Know what you need. Slow down to fulfill your purpose, answering questions that are most important to you. Since very few words carry the meaning, speed up to pass redundant or useless information.

Tip #3: File important articles, pass them on, or re-cycle the publication

In just 11-13 minutes you can get 80% of what you must know from even the most difficult reports. Here's how you can do it now, quickly and easily:

At the end of your work day, take 2 minutes to glance through the report's layout, table of contents and ending. Decide on 3 things you must know from this report.

STOP! Do not read further. Flip the pages in front of your eyes like a fan 2 or 3 times. Make a guess where you will find your answers. Leave it alone until tomorrow.

In the morning take no more than 7 minutes to search for and read the key points you felt you had to know.

Double check to determine if there are any additional "life or death" needs associated with this report. If yes, spend no more than 4 more minutes now and maybe 5-7 minutes the next day.