The_Essential_Manager_s_Handbook

200 / BECOMING MORE EFFECTIVE

Reading and remembering

Scanning the details

The faster you read, the more you will

remember. If you practice long enough,

you will be able to scan a document

and remember enough to hold a

conversation about it. Start by reading

whole sentences in one go. To do this,

focus your eyes on the sentence rather

than on each individual word. Move to

looking at paragraphs. Soon you should

be able to look at the page toward the

top, in the middle, and finally at the

bottom before you turn over.

We are bombarded with information all day. The key to success is to

be able to identify what is important and then remember it. Recalling

an important fact can make the difference between success or failure

in the heat of a negotiation or an important meeting.

Reading rapidly

Reading a textbook is not the same

as reading for pleasure. There is a

process for reading a textbook. Start

by reading the introduction, then read

the last chapter. At this point you should

know what the book is about and how it’s

structured; now, you can decide whether

it’s worth reading the rest. If you think

you would benefit from reading the

book, begin by looking at the headings

and diagrams on each page; you will be

surprised by how much you learn. Once

you have done your initial review, take

a break before you read the book as a

whole—this greatly reinforces learning.

words per minute

(wpm) is the average

reading rate. Skimming

is 700wpm and speed

readers reach over

4,000wpm

300

Try scanning the

whole document first.

Then read it at your

normal pace. You

will be surprised

how much you pick up

US_200-201_Reading_and_remembering.indd 200 30/05/16 3:03 pm