Reading is a cornerstone of learning, yet it’s often seen as tedious, especially when it comes to novels or self-improvement books. This is where speed reading comes into play—a technique that can revolutionize how you approach reading, allowing you to reap the benefits without the boredom.
Speed reading isn’t just about flipping through pages faster; it’s a brain-training exercise that enhances your reading efficiency, concentration, and memory. By pushing your brain to process information more quickly, you’re also sharpening your focus, leaving no room for distraction. Our research, as outlined in « Double Your Reading Speed in 30 Days » (Alisio, 2023), confirms these benefits.
How to train your brain to speed read? How to learn speed reading?
Understand the basics of speed reading
Before diving into speed reading, it’s essential to understand what it involves. Speed reading is not just about moving your eyes quickly across the page; it’s about improving your comprehension and retention while increasing your reading speed. This requires retraining your brain to process information differently.
Use a pointer or visual guide
Using a pointer, such as your finger or a pen, can help guide your eyes and reduce the tendency to backtrack (re-read previous words or sentences). By moving the pointer smoothly under the text, your eyes will naturally follow at a faster pace, encouraging a continuous flow of reading.
Practice chunking
Instead of reading word by word, train yourself to read in chunks—groups of words that convey a complete idea. Start by focusing on reading two or three words at a time, and gradually increase the number of words in each chunk as you become more comfortable. This method helps your brain process information more efficiently, as it reduces the number of fixations (eye stops) per line.
Improve your concentration
Speed reading requires a high level of concentration. To improve your focus, practice reading in a quiet environment free from distractions. Start with short reading sessions, gradually increasing the time as your concentration improves. Techniques such as mindfulness or meditation can also enhance your ability to concentrate for longer periods.
Track your progress
Regularly measure your reading speed and comprehension to track your improvement. Set goals for increasing your words per minute (WPM) while maintaining a high level of understanding. There are numerous online tools and apps available that can help you measure and improve your speed reading performance.
Apply what you learn
The best way to reinforce your speed reading skills is to apply them regularly. Practice with a variety of texts—novels, articles, academic papers—to challenge your brain and adapt to different styles of writing. The more you practice, the more natural speed reading will become.
Join a speed reading challenge
For structured guidance, consider joining a speed reading program or participating in a challenge, such as those offered by the World Association of Brain Athletes (WABA). These programs often provide scientifically-backed methods, along with resources like workbooks and video courses, to help you master speed reading.
Rekindling a love for reading
One of the most surprising advantages of speed reading is its ability to reignite a passion for reading, especially among young people. Through our partnerships with schools and the World Association of Brain Athletes, we’ve seen students who once found reading dull become enthusiastic readers. Take, for example, a young student who struggled with slow reading. After learning speed reading, she discovered a newfound love for science fiction, devouring an entire series in days and immersing herself in fantastical worlds.
Why speed reading Is worth the effort
Speed reading is a powerful tool that can enhance your life in multiple ways. Beyond improving your reading efficiency, it opens up new worlds and stimulates your imagination. It’s not a magic solution but rather a brain workout, akin to training for a marathon. This is why we’ve developed a scientifically validated 30-day protocol to help you « train » your brain to read faster and more effectively with Neoboost.app.
The compound effect of speed reading
Speed reading is an investment with a cumulative effect. As you read faster, you not only save time but also learn more effectively. It helps reduce stress by allowing you to focus on the content rather than the process of reading. Additionally, it boosts productivity by freeing up time for other activities, whether for academic, professional, or personal growth.
If you’re looking to improve your life, speed reading is a valuable skill to acquire. The more you practice, the more you learn, and the more productive you become. Start today and experience the transformative power of speed reading.