How To Take Effective Notes When Reading

Summary

In this video, Orn shares his six-step process for effective note-taking while reading, drawn from two years of experience reading an average of one and a half books per week. He emphasizes the importance of being prepared with reading tools, having a guiding question, engaging actively with the text, summarizing chapters post-reading, identifying actionable principles, and reviewing notes regularly. These strategies not only enhance understanding and retention but also facilitate the practical application of insights gained from books.

Takeaways

• 📚 Have your reading accessories ready to maximize note-taking efficiency.
• ❓ Formulate a question before starting a book to enhance focus and retention.
• ✍️ Highlight and note down ideas only after reading the full page to avoid over-highlighting.
• 📝 Take notes after each chapter using active recall to summarize in your own words.
• 🔍 Write down 5-10 actionable principles from productivity or skill-focused books.
• 🔄 Regularly review your notes to reinforce learning and implementation.
• 🗓️ Schedule a dedicated time each week for note review, ideally on weekends.
• 💻 Use digital tools like Scrivener to organize and tag notes for easy reference.
• 🔗 Connect new insights from books to your existing knowledge and projects.
• 📖 Adapt the note-taking process to suit your reading habits and materials.

Q & A

What is the first step in taking effective notes while reading?

The first step is to have your reading accessories ready, such as a notebook, pen, and highlighter.

Why is it important to have a question in mind before starting a book?

Having a question helps you focus on relevant information and increases your motivation to finish the book.

What is a recommended approach to highlighting while reading?

You should read the entire page first before highlighting to avoid over-highlighting and ensure you capture only the most relevant ideas.

How should you take notes after finishing a chapter?

Write a summary of the chapter in your own words without looking back at the text to enhance memory recall.

What should you do after completing a book?

Identify and write down five to ten principles you want to implement based on your initial question.

What is the significance of reviewing notes regularly?

Regular reviews reinforce learning and help connect concepts, making the information more actionable and memorable.

What method does the speaker use for organizing their notes?

The speaker transfers their handwritten notes to a digital format using Scrivener, tagging areas of interest for easy reference.

How often does the speaker recommend reviewing notes?

The speaker suggests scheduling a review session weekly, typically on Sunday evenings.

What is the concept of 'active recall' mentioned in the video?

Active recall is a learning technique where you summarize information from memory, enhancing retention and understanding.

What is the overall goal of the speaker's note-taking process?

The goal is to maximize the benefits of reading by engaging actively with the material and implementing learned principles into real life.