Read to Understand More (Part 1)
Blog Series Intention Recap
John Maxwell likes to point out: All leaders are readers. The point of this blog series is to provide the reader with some tips to help them understand what they are reading better. The more you understand, the more you can incorporate what you are learning into your leadership.
This post is part of the series “Read Better.” Click here to see the rest of the posts.
Let’s jump into week #1:
Tips for Better Reading Comprehension
Unlock the Secrets to Better Reading Comprehension!
Why does it matter:
Set Goals: Decide how many books you'll read this year and track your progress.
Skim Before Reading: Preview the text and highlight unfamiliar words.
Ask Questions: Engage with the author's thoughts and structure.
Know When to Stop: If a book becomes repetitive or uninteresting, it's okay to put it down.
Going Deeper
Reading is a fantastic way to learn new things and travel to different worlds without having to leave your chair. You can also engage some of the best mentors in the world from afar. But sometimes, it can be hard to understand what you’re reading. Here are some tips to help you get better at reading comprehension.
Have a Goal in Mind
Having a goal can help you stay focused and motivated. Think about how many books you want to read this year. Maybe you want to read 10 books, or maybe 20. Once you have a goal, write it down somewhere you can see it every day.
You can also use tracking tools to keep up with your reading. There are apps and websites where you can log the books you’ve read, write reviews, and even see what your friends are reading. Keeping track of your progress can make reading even more fun. I personally use Goodreads to track. You can find my profile here.
Skim Before You Read
Before you dive into a book or a passage, take a few minutes to skim over it. Skimming means looking over the text quickly without reading every word. Look at the headings, subheadings, and any bold or italicized words. These can give you clues about what the text is about.
While you’re skimming, look for words you don’t know. If you find some, write them down and look them up. Knowing these words before you start reading can make it easier to understand the text.
Ask Questions
Asking questions while you read can help you stay engaged and understand the text better. Here are some questions you can ask:
What was the author thinking when they wrote this?
How is the book or passage constructed? Does it have chapters, sections, or paragraphs?
What questions pop into your mind as you read? Write them down and see if you can find the answers in the text.
By asking questions, you’re not just reading the words on the page. You’re thinking about what they mean and how they connect. This makes reading more interactive and interesting.
Stop Working for a Book When It Stops Working for You
Sometimes, you might start reading a book and then realize that it’s not working for you. Maybe it’s repetitive, or maybe it’s just not interesting. It’s okay to stop reading a book if it’s not teaching you something new or holding your interest.
This doesn’t mean giving up on a book because it’s hard. Some books are challenging, but they can still be rewarding. If a book is hard but you’re learning and enjoying it, keep going. But if a book is repetitive or boring, it’s okay to put it down and find something else to read.
How does this help me “Read Better?”
Reading is a wonderful way to learn and have fun. It opens up new worlds, introduces you to different ideas, and helps you grow as a person and a leader. But to truly enjoy and understand what you read, it's important to develop good reading habits. Here’s a quick recap of the tips we’ve covered:
Set Goals: Having a clear goal for how many books you want to read can keep you motivated. It’s like having a reading challenge that pushes you to keep going. Use tools like Goodreads or Bookly to track your progress and celebrate your achievements.
Skim Before You Read: Skimming helps you get a quick overview of the text. It’s like getting a sneak peek at what’s coming. Look for headings, subheadings, and key terms. This will prepare your mind for what you’re about to read and make it easier to understand.
Ask Questions: Being curious about the text keeps you engaged. Ask yourself what the author is trying to say and how the text is organized. Think about any questions that come to mind and look for answers as you read. This active engagement helps you remember and understand the material better.
Know When to Stop: Not every book will be interesting or helpful. If a book becomes repetitive or fails to hold your interest, it’s okay to put it down. This doesn’t mean giving up easily, but recognizing when a book isn’t meeting your needs. There are plenty of other books out there waiting to be discovered.
By following these tips, you can enhance your reading comprehension and make your reading experience more enjoyable. Remember, reading should be a journey of discovery and joy. Each book is an opportunity to learn something new, see the world from a different perspective, and get lost in a captivating story.
So, pick up a book, set your goals, skim the pages, ask questions, and don’t be afraid to move on if it’s not working for you. Embrace the adventure that reading brings. Happy reading!
