Speed Reading For Prosperity
We have to consume increasing amounts of information to gain an edge. In this final piece of the mind series, I would like to look at how we can prosper by becoming better at reading and comprehending copious amounts of information. Those who can read quickly and accurately excel more in their studies and careers.
The more successful you want to become in the information age, the more likely you will be exposed to a lot of information. Being able to read, understand and apply information is critical for success. Even being able to apply the messages from this blog calls for being able to read, comprehend in as little time as possible.
Time is a Finite Resource
We now find ourselves in a world with millions of interconnected information sources. At a few clicks of a button, we are able to get hundreds of volumes of knowledge bases. To be able to absorb as much as possible, in as little time as possible, we need to learn how to read faster and comprehend.
I have always struggled with speed reading. I am an average reader. If only I could read faster, I probably would go through more volumes of research material and be able to create successes that I can only now dream of. That is one reason why I have decided to learn to speed read, this year and to inspire you to join me on this journey. Speed reading saves time; a finite resource.
What is Prosperity?
Prosperity means success, good fortune and wealth. A prosperous person is one who is able to tap into opportunities as they arise, without being constrained by lack of capital or resources.
Prosperity can be gained through education amongst other ways. For the purpose of this blog post, we shall look at the kind of prosperity that is a result of a good education.
Doctors, Lawyers, Business men and women have to go through lots of information to be able to master their professions. They become more prosperous the more information they gain and apply. Being able to read and comprehend is directly proportional to the level of prosperity in many professions.
Success Vocabulary
To be able to succeed in any profession, one has to learn to speak the language. The words that come from the mouth of a pilot are different from those of a carpenter. The vocabulary of a doctor is different from that of a mechanic. You need to be able to understand the words that are used and how they are used. It is important to understand complex language constructs as used by the people in that profession.
For example, if you aspire to be a great investor, you need to be attuned to the words that investors use. For example you would need to learn and understand words such as Corporate bonds, investments, profit and loss statement etc.
What is Speed Reading?
Speed reading is a collection of reading methods which attempt to increase rates of reading without greatly reducing comprehension or retention. Methods include chunking and eliminating sub vocalization. It is the ability to read rapidly and with good understanding. It is a skill that can be acquired and employed to harness the power of the mind.
The Benefits of Speed Reading
- Increase memory
- Increase productivity
- Develop your potential
- Process and assimilate lots of information.
- Save time and manage time resources
- Improve writing and communication skills
- Improve concentration and attention span
- Improve visualization and imagination
- Get the power of perspectives, faster.
- Keep up to date with happenings and professional skills
- Help in specialization and intense focus of a subject matter
How to Learn Speed Reading
A host of companies now offer books, training sessions and even computer programs to increase reading speed, sometimes at a cost of hundreds of dollars. But why spend your money on those programs when you can start reading faster today by following these simple steps?
Speed Reading Greats
Howard Stephen Berg claims to be the fastest reader in the world reading at a rate of 25,000 words per minute. The figure was deduced from him reading different texts on over a dozen television shows, and being tested by over a dozen newspapers in various cities around the country. On Cleveland’s Morning Exchange, Howard completed an 1100 page book and scored a perfect score on recall. He was retested three years later on the same book using his recall from the previous show again with perfect recall. Dick Cavett had Berg memorize his autobiography in 90 seconds and he demonstrated perfect recall. On Live with Regis and Kathie Lee, Berg memorized a 200 page book, “Going to the Movies,” by Quentin Crisp, and scored 100% on the extensive test given by the author. (Wikipedia)
Other high profile speed readers are former US presidents Jimmy Carter and JF Kennedy.
Speed Reading Books from Amazon
In today’s fast-paced world, everyone wants to read faster–students, workers, and time-pressed people everywhere who want to increase their efficiency and productivity. Speed Reading For Dummies changes the way people read, showing them how to process information more quickly while improving comprehension, retention, and recall. Covering the latest speed-reading techniques and tips, this breakthrough guide will help people read quickly and successfully no matter what they read–books, newspapers, magazines, e-mails, or technical journals.
2. The Complete Idiot’s Guide to Speed Reading
Most adults today are working with antiquated skills and ingrained beliefs about their reading abilities, or lack thereof. But with the tips and examples offered in The Complete Idiot’s Guide® to Speed Reading, getting through a load of must-do reading doesn’t have to be an arduous or overwhelming chore. The strategies are surprisingly simple once revealed. With practice, readers will not only speed through and understand books, articles, and professional journals but will also build their personal reading confidence and competence.
• Written by a reading specialist
• Useful for students, business people, lawyers, doctors
• Includes how-to strategies as well as practice timed readings
• Tips for reading on paper and onscreen
Summary
Improving your reading speed can help you get more out of life. It is a valuable skill to have and would be well worth your time to aquire it. Imagine if you could double or triple your reading speed? How would that affect your success? Do you need more information or software on this very important success technique? Your answers may only be a few clicks away.
Comments
I’m curious about what others think about this topic. Do you speed read? Do you know anyone who does? What tips or resources can you share with us?
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I could add to the benefits of speed reading that it has huge psychological effects and the possession of the speed reading skill will reduce your stress level. Many people become stressed as they have huge piles of papers to read for work or for studies. As time available for doing this is limited then people fear that they will not be able to get it done on the right time.
Speed reading skills will allow you to read very fast if need be. Therefore it gives you confidence that you can handle huge reading loads. Being able to read fast gives you an emotion that you have the control over your work.
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I came across your site on Facebook and I must say i’m really feeling you.
I’ve read about 4 of your write-ups on the mind series and i’m really inspired.
Thanks man. Keep up the good job.
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Hi again, everyone. Before I learned to speed read, I didn’t believe that such a thing was possible; now, I’m the world’s biggest convert, as I not only became a speed reader myself, but also because nearly 95% of the 800 or so students I’ve taught have become speed readers.
As to the questions, here goes. The average adult reads at about 200-250 words per minute (WPM). By the end of the three week course I teach, most of my students have doubled to tripled their baseline speed, and even more importantly, they’ve increased their initial comprehension and their long-term retention, as well. And I have found that they don’t have to settle for that number; with additional, regular practice, people can double to triple that figure in a couple of months after the course is through. You simply have to be willing to put in the time and effort.
And, yes, speed reading is an excellent way to prepare for ANY standardized test, including the bar, the MCAT, the SAT, or any other similar assessment. I used to teach at the Uniform Services University of the Health Sciences, the military’s medical school in Bethesda, Maryland, and the students used their new skills to get through volumes of medical texts in short amounts of time, all with positive results.
When you are studying, though, you need to determine your purpose. If you need to recall large amounts of information, speed reading provides techniques for how to flag that information so it is easily retrievable when you need it. If you don’t need to remember something, it’s perfectly acceptable to say “not important” and move on to what you need.
Does that answer everyone’s questions?
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this speed reading? doz it also apply to a person tryna write an exam such as bar finals or 2 medical students writin exams? do thy get 2 remember all thy hve read or thy need 2 read a second time?
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@ Miriam – How long does it take to develop the speed reading skill for your average student? Anyone with an idea of how long I need to develop such a skill?
@ Dan – Thank you for such an inspiring article.
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I am a speed reading instructor, and I can personally vouch for the benefits of reading faster and with greater comprehension. It works for all different types of material, both printed and computer-based, and the techniques are translatable to any language.
Speed reading, though, is a skill, and like any other skill, it must be practiced over time to be of benefit. Anyone who promises you that you can be a speed reader in 15 minutes or less is selling you a lot of horse manure. When someone claims something that seems too good to be true, it usually is.
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Quite enlightening…..several concepts that i didnt have an idea of before reading this, thanks for always having something to feed some of us who are insatiable when it comes to life building stuff..Kudos!
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i believe speed reading is a valuable resource to have in these times but its important to understand its purposes especially as it relates to the material being read. While studying for my MBA (which am still at), i found out that i needed to learn to speed read if i’m to get thru the mountain of textbooks given to me. yeah i got thru some but still had to go back to re-read some txt on others. comprehension is vital and of course we can all do with some little speed in our lives. I’ld say Daniel..while speed reading is a crucial concept; application is the key for unravelling its potential in our dynamic lives..Thanks Dan
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lol Alen i like the begining of your comment.. Dan you are amazing… i am one lady who loves readung a lot, a character I developed in high school. I read so many books in a month esp when i dont have lots of things to catch up with.. i also think that creating an atmosphere that is condusive for reading is vital…
I usually find myself running down at the park just to secure a place under a certain tree near a lake that is calm.. I usually find it easier to sometimes read esp the word of God out loud for myself..It makes me remember alot.
Someone try those methods
thx Dan
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I just came from a bookshop in the city looking for a book on speed reading. The bookshop owner told me he did not have any but recommended I look online for what is called “Photo reading”. I have heard a bit about that and might do a blog post on it if I prove it works (even by a small scale) for me. That bookshop owner told me he reads the average paperback novel in one to two hours. He has to be like 10 times faster than me at least. I need to get into speed reading ASAP!
@ Alen – Yeah, speed reading will do amazing stuff and expand your horizons. Have you read the book by Ben Carson’s called “Gifted Hands”, and the other one called “Think Big”?
@ Brenda – We can all become walking dictionaries of some sorts if we learn to speed read.I would love that personally. hehe.
I am a big proponent of taking action as opposed to just thinking big at your laurels. Speed reading helps us prosper by opening our minds to more opportunities.
Speed reading could help me at my job by understanding various technologies faster (saving me time and making me more efficient). I guess it depends on how you look at it. Speed reading alone will not make one prosperous. It is how we apply it.
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I think it helps.I have a friend who finishes five novels a week and she did a speed reading course.She is well equiped with knowledge, I call her the walking dictionary.
Whether its a way to Prosperity, thats debatable.Some cannot read or write and the do major things with their lives especially when it comes to art or music.Ill stay off that one but for me I believe it would be a good skill to have.
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It’s 2.02 am in this peaceful land of Tanzania and one me couldn’t sleep! Lots on my mind. Then I decide hey let’s see what this writing guru had fir us today and viola! Daniel you have just awakened my inner passion for delving and craving for information to an all new level and perspective. In a day I read a lot of information that ranges from current affairs stuff to my mails in all my private and professional inboxes to written material that builds my career for now and for the future (not everything you read through now is for now). But speed reading would greatly enhance the amount of knowledge I consume in a day and you bet am onto it. Starting with these google ad links, I will expand my scope on a many other knowledgable material, for this I know!
As for that Howard Stephen Berg chap, I am mersmerized! But I posit? Does his prowess at speed reading actually make this Stevie guy more knowledgabe just because he posseses extraordinary speed reading skills or is it just for show to be leading speed reading honcho but clueless thereafter??? I hope all that 25,000 words a minute makes something out for him!
This piece yet again, was worth my sleepless night while! lol.
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