Speed Reading with the Right Brain: Learn to Read Ideas Instead of Just Words by David Butler

Author:David Butler [Butler, David]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: David Butler
Published: 2014-09-29T18:30:00+00:00

Chapter 10: Mindset

The proper mindset for effective reading requires both, paying more attention, and knowing what to pay attention to. You must also treat your attention like the precious and finite resource it is, and direct it at the real purpose of reading—comprehension.

Attention

It might seem that there is something mystical or magical about speed reading, or that it’s some awesome ability only a few lucky geniuses have. If this is what you think, then be prepared to go from being amazed to thinking, “What’s the big deal? It’s only about paying more attention.”

And that’s the truth; it is only about paying attention. But paying attention is really huge. “Attention” is your conscious mind. If you had zero attention, you would be comatose—barely alive. Having more attention is being more alive. Attention is the “you” in your brain. More attention means more you.

You might think that naturally you are paying attention, but attention is variable. Attention is not stuck at one level, and it’s not simply an on and off switch; it’s more like a dimmer switch that can be adjusted anywhere between very bright and very dim, and this adjustment varies throughout each day.

The power of attention also varies among different people. Just like any part of the physical body, each person’s mental processes can also be stronger or weaker than those of others. You could even conclude that some people are more conscious than others.

But believe it or not, the conscious mind can be strengthened with exercise. With regular reading exercise and good technique, you can stretch your memory, tighten your attention, and strengthen your intelligence. You can also learn to make more efficient use of the working memory of your conscious mind, maintain better concentration and focus, and suppress external and internal distractions.

Here’s a simple trick that will increase attention: pretend the reason you are reading something, is to explain it to someone else. Think, “How can I make this information clear? What is the gist of this material? How do the different parts fit together? How could I defend this idea if someone were to disagree with it?” But this really isn’t just a trick, because you are going to explain it to someone else—your future self.

Improving attention depends a lot on your mindset. In order to make good progress, your mind must be rested, fit, and positive. Imagine if you were at the gym. The first thing you would do is stretch to prepare your muscles and get them warmed up. Likewise, your brain should also be prepared before exercise so it can be in the right frame of mind, ready to concentrate and focus on the job at hand.

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