fieldguide: learn to speed read

My friend sent me this speed reading test the other day, which estimates how fast you read based on a passage from a novel.  I read about 506 words per minute. Although it was above the average college student, I want to try to get it up to around 600 so I can read as fast as a high level executive. (Maybe you're reading the next Sheryl Sandburg? ;)

To help me improve, I searched around for some speed reading tips. Here are a few that I wanted to share with you...

Focus. Eliminate all distractions, even the music. Anything which might occupy your attention diverts concentration from your real focus.

Lose the voice in your head. Your brain can process things much faster than your subconscious mouth! When we read, we breathe out, even silently. Try holding your breath or chewing gum while you read so you don't let your breathing affect the speed that you're processing the words. Think of your eyes taking things in and going straight to your brain.

Read with your the finger (or a pointy object). At first, it may seem counterintuitive and slow, but it actually helps keep your eyes focused on moving forward so you're not like me, constantly rereading passages.

Try an online or mobile app. Spreeder (web) and Velocity (iOS) allow you to bookmark or copy/paste articles, which it then displays word by word. You can increase the number of words per minute challenging you to read and comprehend faster and faster.

Don't give up. As with all things, it takes time and effort to get the hang of it. You probably won't get it on your first go, I sure didn't. But if you practice, even for 20 minutes a day, within no time you'll be reading Anna Karenina!

Hope these tips and tricks help you initiate your own speed reading journey. I'm excited to see how this goes! It's sure to help my New Years resolution of reading more and growing my vocabulary. Try taking the test yourself and let me know how fast you can read! Also if you have any tips to add once you start speed reading, I'd love to hear.

xo from catie

via Lifehacker

{ photo by unknown }