Read this: How to get more from the printed word
Successful people never stop learning. They go to conferences and seminars, talk to experts, keep an eye on the Internet—but mostly they read voraciously. Books, articles, and journals (print or online) are the basic building blocks of knowledge, so learning to read and comprehend material effectively is a crucial success strategy. To get more from each word, read this advice:
• Define your purpose. Before opening a book or clicking on an article link, think about what you expect to learn from it. This will help you quickly determine whether the work is worth your time as you’re reading.
• Set some goals. Decide how many pages you want to read in one sitting, or how much time you want to devote to the piece. Short bursts are usually best. You can always change your mind, but you’ll be less distracted if you have a specific time or page count in mind.
• Read when you’re fresh. Try to schedule your reading early in the day, when you’re rested and alert. If that’s impossible, at least try to set aside some time when you won’t be falling asleep or unable to concentrate.
• Monitor your comprehension. Every once in a while, stop and think about what you’ve just read. How much do you remember? How much do you understand? If you’re having trouble answering either question, you may need to take a break or find something that holds your attention better.
