How to remember what you read

I was a poser…

I am a huge reader.

Spent a ton of my childhood reading fiction books. My mom would take us kids to the library, I’d get like 5-6 books, stay in the car while my mom was in the grocery store, and read 1-2 of the books by the time we made the 30 minute trip back home.

Post college, I started getting into Tim Ferriss and his podcasts.

Every single one of his guests were also big readers.

But it was non-fiction stuff.

So I started reading their recommendations.

But each book read was just a vanity metric. It was a chore. And I wasn’t super interested in the content.

In one ear and out the other.

It wasn’t until I started my own business did some of these business/productivity books start making sense.

And I started reading to learn, not just to say I read whatever book it was.

I realized 2 things:

1. You need a project to pour your learnings into. Otherwise, they will just evaporate into the ether.

2. I needed to get better at remembering the stuff I was learning from these books in order to implement.

So, without further ado, here are the 4 tips that have helped me the most in this transformation from poser to implementor:

1\ Take notes in the book.

When you read a passage that catches your attention, circle it.

Then, go to either the front or the back (where the blank pages are) and write down the page number and short description about why it resonated with you.

2\ At the end of each chapter, stop and identify 1 action item.

Then, implement it (or find a way to implement it) before moving on to the next chapter.

Stop treating reading like a chore.

You are reading so you learn. And you learn best with action.

3\ Re-read the book when you are finished.

It takes the average person 3 repetitions to internalize (learn) a new skill.

I use this when reading.

The stuff I like, I'll read through at least 3 times to make sure I have it down.

And it doesn’t take long. You can skim once you’ve made the first, deep-dive pass.

4\ Go back over your notes and synthesize the ideas you wrote down in your own words.

If you can't articulate the idea to a friend, you need to go back and learn more about it.

You may think you can, but the proof is in if you can show someone else.

Feynman technique, baby.

I used to read books for perceived status.

That was stupid…

Now I read books to learn. And I learn best by doing.

These tactical tips have helped me become a better learner, and I hope it helps you.

To your super success,

Swanagan