How to Read Faster

Summary

In this engaging video, Mark Manson shares five effective tips to enhance reading efficiency and retention. He advises eliminating the inner monologue, using a finger to guide reading, being selective with book choices, scheduling dedicated reading time, and reading multiple books concurrently. Manson also challenges the traditional belief in note-taking, emphasizing that applying knowledge and discussing ideas are more effective for memory retention.

Takeaways

• 📚 Mark Manson read 81 books in 2020, a significant increase from 14 books in 2010.
• 📖 Reading makes you smarter, more empathetic, and self-aware, and it's an activity that many people wish they did more.
• 🗣️ Tip 1: Cut the inner monologue. This slows down reading. Practice reading without sounding out words in your head to speed up.
• 👆 Tip 2: Read with your finger. This stabilizes your eyes and can increase reading speed by 20-30%.
• 🚫 Tip 3: Stop reading books you don't like. If a book isn't engaging after 10%, move on to another one.
• 🕰️ Tip 4: Schedule reading time. Utilize commutes, lunch breaks, and even gym sessions to find time to read.
• 📚 Tip 5: Read more than one book at a time. Switch between books to maintain interest and excitement.
• 📝 Highlighting and note-taking are generally worthless for retention. We remember things we use and apply.
• 🗣️ Discussing what you've read with others can help reinforce and remember the information.
• 📚 Remember the arguments or ideas from books rather than every detail. Know where to find the information when needed.

Q & A

What are some benefits of reading, according to Mark Manson?

Reading makes you smarter, more empathetic, more self-aware, and entertains you.

What is Mark Manson's first tip for reading more efficiently?

Cut the inner monologue. Stop sounding out each word in your head as it slows you down.

How can using your finger help you read faster?

Using your finger to guide your reading stabilizes your eyes, helping them focus and move more smoothly across the text.

Why does Manson suggest stopping reading books you don't like?

Continuing to read books you don't enjoy wastes time and hinders you from finding and reading books that are more valuable and enjoyable.

What is Manson's approach to reading non-fiction books?

He suggests reading only the chapters that interest you and skipping the rest, as most non-fiction books repeat the same ideas.

How can scheduling your reading time help you read more books?

By consistently dedicating time each day to read, such as during commutes, lunch breaks, or gym sessions, you can easily read more books over time.

Why does Manson recommend reading more than one book at a time?

Reading multiple books at once can help sustain your interest and excitement as you can switch between books when you get bored with one.

What does Manson say about the effectiveness of highlighting and note-taking?

Highlighting and note-taking have little effect on retention. Instead, implementing and using the ideas you read in your life helps you remember them.

How can talking about the ideas you read help with retention?

Discussing the ideas with others makes your brain see the information as important and useful, which helps you remember it better.

What is the key to remembering what you read, according to Manson?

You don't need to remember every detail, just where to find the information when you need it, so you can refer back to the book.