I used to read the same paragraph over and over again and still have no idea what it said.
My mind would wander. The words would blur. I’d get to the bottom of a page and feel like I’d just wasted five minutes of my life. With a mountain of books I wanted to read and endless articles to get through, I felt like I was falling further and further behind. It was frustrating.
When I decided to rebuild my life, I knew I couldn't afford to waste time. My entire productive routine is built on short, intense bursts of deep work—usually just two to four hours a day. To make that work, I had to learn how to absorb information fast. I couldn't spend an hour reading something that should take fifteen minutes.
So I dug in. I learned how to train my brain to read faster without sacrificing comprehension. It wasn't a magic trick. It was a set of skills. And today, I want to share them with you, friend to friend.
Before You Start Reading
A lot of the magic happens before your eyes even hit the first sentence. Think of it like warming up before a workout. A little preparation makes a huge difference.
First, always know your "why." Why are you reading this specific book, article, or report? Are you looking for a specific answer? Trying to understand a broad concept? Just reading for pleasure? Knowing your goal helps your brain filter out what’s not important and lock onto what is.
Next, do a quick preview. This takes maybe 30 seconds. Scan the headings, subheadings, and any bolded text. Read the first and last sentence of a few paragraphs. Look at images or charts. This gives you a mental map of the content. You’ll know what to expect, which makes reading it much smoother and faster.
Finally, set up your space. Find a quiet spot where you won’t be interrupted. Put your phone in another room or turn it on silent. Close those extra tabs on your computer. Distractions are the enemy of both speed and comprehension. Give your brain a fighting chance to focus completely on the task at hand.
The Core Techniques
Alright, now for the techniques you’ll use while you’re actually reading. Some of these might feel strange at first, but stick with them.
The biggest hurdle for most people is subvocalization. That’s the little voice in your head that says every word as you read it. We’re taught to do this as kids, but it slows us down to our speaking speed, not our thinking speed. Your brain can process words much faster than you can say them.
To break this habit, try humming quietly to yourself or chewing gum. The goal is to occupy your "inner voice" so it can't read along. Another trick is to simply try and read faster than your inner voice can keep up. At first, your comprehension might dip. That’s normal. With practice, your brain will learn to understand the words directly, without "hearing" them.
Another game-changer is using a pointer. Take a pen (with the cap on) or just use your finger and guide your eyes along the line as you read. This does two things. It sets a steady pace, forcing you to move forward instead of lingering. It also keeps your eyes focused and prevents them from jumping back to words you’ve already read. It might feel a little childish, but it works.
Finally, stop reading word-by-word. Instead, train your eyes to see chunks of words. Try to look at the middle of a group of three or four words and absorb the whole chunk at once. As you get better, you can expand this. This is one of the biggest secrets to truly rapid reading. You're not reading "the-dog-ran-fast," you're just seeing it as one idea: thedogranfast.
15 Ways to Read Faster and Remember More
Ready to put it all together? Here are 15 practical tips you can start using today. You don’t need to master them all at once. Just pick one or two that feel right and give them a try.
- Stop reading every word. Focus on keywords and main ideas. Your brain will fill in the rest.
- Don't reread sentences. Trust that your brain caught it the first time. Keep moving forward. If you’re truly lost, you can go back later, but avoid the habit of constantly backtracking.
- Know your purpose before you start. As we talked about, this is crucial.
- Use a pointer (your finger or a pen).
- Preview the material. Skim headings and summaries first.
- Work on quieting your inner voice (subvocalization).
- Read in chunks of words, not one word at a time.
- Set a timer. Challenge yourself to read a chapter or an article in a set amount of time. This builds focus.
- Ask questions as you go. Engage with the material. "What's the main point here?" "How can I use this?"
- Take brief notes after you read, not during. After a chapter, jot down the 2-3 biggest ideas in your own words. This solidifies your understanding way better than highlighting.
- Adjust your speed. You don’t read a dense textbook the same way you read a novel. Go fast on easy material and slow down for complex parts.
- Eliminate all distractions. Find your quiet place.
- Rest your eyes. Look away from the page every 20 minutes or so to prevent fatigue.
- Practice every single day. Even just 15-20 minutes a day will build this skill faster than you think.
- Be patient with yourself. You're breaking lifelong habits. It won't happen overnight. Celebrate small improvements.
This isn't about becoming a reading robot. It's about being intentional. It's about respecting your own time and your desire to learn and grow. For me, learning this skill was a key part of building a new, focused life. It allowed me to learn what I needed to without getting bogged down, giving me more time for work, for my faith, and for the people I love.
It gave me control over my own learning. And it can do the same for you.
So here’s my challenge to you: Pick one. Just one of these tips. Try it today with whatever you're reading. Don't worry about perfection. Just give it an honest try.
What’s the one thing you’ll try first?
