Reading and Remembering

We are bombarded with information all day. The key to success is to be able to identify what is important and then remember it. Recalling an important fact can make the difference between success or failure in the heat of a negotiation or important meeting.

Reading rapidly

Reading a textbook is not the same as reading for pleasure. There is a process for reading a textbook. Start by reading the introduction. Then read the last chapter. At this point you should know what the book is about and how it’s structured, and can decide whether it’s worth reading the rest. If you think it is worth reading, turn the pages first, looking at the headings and diagrams; you will be surprised by how much you learn. Once you have done your initial review, leave a gap before you read the book as a whole—this greatly reinforces learning.

Scanning the details

The faster you read, the more you will remember. If you practice long enough, you will be able to scan a document and remember enough to hold a conversation about it. Start by reading whole sentences in one go. To do this, focus your eyes on the sentence rather than on each individual word. Move to looking at paragraphs. Eventually you should be able to look at the page toward the top, in the middle, and finally at the bottom before you turn over. When you are learning, try scanning the whole document first. Then read it at your normal pace. Just scanning first will improve your understanding and memory. If you are late and unprepared for a meeting, try scanning your documents. You will be surprised how much you pick up. Even if it doesn’t work, you will be able to find the information you need much more quickly.

Using mind maps

A mind map is an effective way to record information in a succinct format that you can easily remember. To create a mind map that summarizes the content of a book you have read, for example, start by writing the subject of the book in the center of a sheet of paper. Then draw branches radiating from the subject that sum up the major themes of the book. Next, fill in smaller branches containing the sub-themes, and finally add detail to these sub-themes in the outer “twigs” of your mind map. Use pictures and color liberally, as they make your mind map more memorable and will increase your recall of the information. If you want to be sure that you will remember the content of your map, review it the day after you have drawn it, one week later, one month later, and finally one year later.

Remembering names

Most people worry about remembering the names of the people they meet. If you have difficulty, try the following: when you are introduced, always repeat the person’s name. While you are doing this, look into the individual’s face and identify a feature that reminds you of their names. Does Sr. Marrón have brown hair, or is his hair so startlingly different that you will remember his name? If there isn’t a feature that is memorable, try imagining the person acting their names—Julia Stokes the steam engine, for example, or Paul Parsons preaching a sermon.