Speed reading helps you process more words per minute while maintaining strong comprehension.
Entrepreneurs are constantly juggling new information – whether it’s industry trends, market shifts, or business strategies. The ability to consume and implement knowledge quickly is a game-changer for anyone looking to stay ahead of the curve. With the speed of change in business, being able to absorb key information rapidly can be the difference between thriving and getting left behind. Speed reading is more than just skimming through a book or article quickly.
It’s about optimizing how you read and process information, so you can apply what you’ve learned in real-time to your business. This post will show you how to speed up your reading and, more importantly, how to immediately implement the knowledge you acquire for maximum impact.
The Basics of Speed Reading
Speed reading is about increasing the number of words you can read per minute without losing comprehension. The average person reads at a rate of 200-250 words per minute, but with practice, you can push this number to 400 words per minute or more. Start by learning how to avoid subvocalization. This is the habit of saying words in your head as you read, which can significantly slow you down. Instead, train your brain to recognize and process words faster by grouping them together in phrases rather than reading each word individually. Tools like a visual guide (your finger or a pen) can help your eyes move smoothly along the text and reduce backtracking.
Another technique is to expand your peripheral vision while reading. Most people focus on each word individually, but by using your peripheral vision, you can read larger chunks of text at a time. This enables you to get through pages more quickly while still retaining the core meaning.
Action Tip: Start practicing with articles or shorter books. Use your finger to guide your reading and try to group words into chunks rather than focusing on each word individually.
You don’t need to read everything—only what delivers real value to your business.
Retaining and Processing Information Quickly
Speed reading is only effective if you can retain and implement what you read. To ensure you’re absorbing key information, focus on reading with intent. Before you start, ask yourself what you’re trying to learn from the text. Are you looking for actionable steps, new strategies, or general insights? By setting a clear purpose, you’ll be able to extract the most valuable information without getting bogged down in unnecessary details.
Another technique for retention is to preview the material before you dive in. Skim through the headings, subheadings, and key points to get a sense of the structure and main ideas. This will prime your brain to look for the most relevant information as you read. When you come across an important idea, take a moment to pause and reflect on how it relates to your business. This quick reflection helps cement the knowledge and allows you to think about practical applications. Taking short notes or highlighting key points as you go can also improve retention.
Action Tip: After reading, take five minutes to summarize the main points and jot down specific ways you can apply them to your business. This helps solidify what you’ve learned and turns ideas into actions.
Focus on Implementation, Not Just Consumption
The real power of speed reading comes when you can implement what you’ve learned right away. Many entrepreneurs fall into the trap of endlessly consuming information without applying it. To avoid this, focus on taking immediate action after reading.
When you finish a book or article, don’t move on to the next one right away. Instead, spend some time applying the knowledge. For example, if you’ve just read a marketing book that suggests a new way to optimize your email campaigns, take action immediately by testing the strategy on your own list.
Set a goal to implement at least one thing from everything you read. This will help you avoid information overload and ensure that the knowledge you’re gaining is being used to drive your business forward. Whether it’s tweaking your sales process, improving team communication, or launching a new product, the key is to integrate learning into action as soon as possible.
Action Tip: After each reading session, write down one actionable step you can take based on what you’ve learned. Commit to implementing it within 24 hours.
Selective reading helps you prioritize only the content that aligns with your current business goals.
Selective Reading: Focus on What Matters
Not all information is created equal, and not everything you read will be relevant to your business. One of the most important aspects of speed reading is learning how to prioritize and filter information. You don’t need to read every page of every book. Instead, focus on the chapters, sections, or articles that directly relate to your current goals.
Selective reading is about knowing when to skip or skim less important parts. If a book has 10 chapters but only three apply to your business, concentrate on those. For articles, focus on key takeaways rather than getting lost in the minutiae. This way, you can maximize your reading time and only absorb information that adds value. Being selective also means curating your reading list carefully. Instead of reading the latest book everyone is talking about, prioritize books and articles that are directly related to the challenges you’re facing or the areas you want to improve in your business.
Action Tip: Before you start reading, ask yourself if this book or article is aligned with your immediate business needs. Focus only on the sections that provide the most value, and don’t be afraid to skip parts that aren’t relevant.
Practice Makes Perfect
Speed reading, like any skill, improves with practice. The more you do it, the faster and more efficient you’ll become at processing and implementing new information. Start with manageable reading goals and gradually increase the complexity of the material as you become more comfortable.
Additionally, track your progress. Measure how many words you can read per minute and how well you retain the information. This will help you see improvements over time and stay motivated to continue honing your skills. Remember, the goal isn’t just to read faster but to use the information to grow your business. By consistently practicing speed reading and applying what you learn, you’ll be able to stay ahead of industry trends, make better decisions, and act on opportunities more quickly than your competitors.
Action Tip: Set aside 10-15 minutes each day to practice speed reading with a business-related book or article. Track your progress and focus on improving both speed and comprehension.
Speed reading is a powerful tool for entrepreneurs who want to consume and implement knowledge faster.
By mastering techniques like reducing sub vocalization, expanding peripheral vision, and reading with intent, you can process information more quickly without sacrificing comprehension. But the true value lies in your ability to immediately apply what you’ve learned to your business. With selective reading and a focus on action, you can take the knowledge you acquire and turn it into results – whether that’s improving your marketing, optimizing your operations, or launching new products. Start practicing today, and watch how quickly you can stay ahead in an ever-changing business landscape.
* We would like to remind you that on our other website focused on marketing, business and entrepreneurship we have a blog focused on educating professionals and small business owners about trends, marketing, social media and web development, as well as services at competitive prices that can contribute to generating more business – www.kisuccess.com
