No one rushes through a gourmet meal. You savor the flavor of each bite, appreciating the creativity and thoughtfulness of the chef. What if we transformed our approach to reading and learned to savor the reading experience in a similar way? Each author has put scads of time and energy into researching and writing the book for your benefit. However, many people read like they are eating fast food, gulping information down without savoring or appreciating it.
Here’s a tip to stop stressing, overloading your brain and pulling all-nighters. Cramming is the most counter-productive thing you could ever do! Get smart. If you buy a $6 timer from Walmart you could set it for 20 minutes. After relaxing and establishing your purpose, begin to read for meaning, not just words.
The secret is this: when you’re in a relaxed state and with a clearly established purpose, reading will be effortless and you’ll find yourself enjoying it. No kidding! When the timer goes off, take a break. Go to the bathroom, stretch, get a cup of tea. Do some neck rolls or brain gym exercises. Cool out. Twenty minutes will breeze by and you’ll be surprised at how completely absorbed you were. Your reading will be so smooth you might not want to stop.
Like a really good meal, savor the conversation with the author. As you read his writing, he is speaking into your listening. By establishing a purpose, eliminating stress, and taking in a little at a time, you allow the body to digest the conversation and you’ll actually get more reading done in less time. Check it out for yourself and let me know!
Smiles!
Millicent!
Millicent St. Claire has written 27 articles on this blog.
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