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Brain Food Wednesday: How to Read in the Age of Distraction
Dear Reader,
In this week’s newsletter, the 143rd issue, I’m writing about how to read in the age of distraction. I love to read and I make time to read. Sometimes I am distracted because of what’s going on in my life. But I still read books. In times like these, I read mostly fiction, so I didn’t have to think too much.
And the genre I read is also important. Sometimes I need a good laugh, so humor becomes important to me.
Below, you’ll find the article I wrote, and I hope you find it helpful.
Ask Avil
How to Read in the Age of Distraction
We are living in the age of distraction. With so many things vying for our attention – smartphones, social media, email, work – it’s difficult to get the most from reading. The key to getting the most from reading is to make it a habit. And you need to make it a priority in your life. Another key is to find a type of reading that interests you. If you’re not interested in what you’re reading, you won’t retain as much information. It’s also important to choose a type of reading that you can get comfortable with.
If your favorite genre is poetry, you can read poetry all day long and get the same amount of enjoyment out of it. But if you’re not a big fan of poetry, it might be more challenging to find something that you enjoy. For some people, reading is escape, a way to leave the mundane world behind and explore new and fantastical realms.
But in the digital age, with its constant distractions, is reading still an escape? Or has it become just another way to be pulled away from what’s really important? In this article, I’ll discuss some tips for getting the most from reading in the age of distraction. I’ll also share some tips for improving your concentration and teach you how to read like a leader.
Understand your environment
According to a study by Microsoft, the average attention span has fallen to eight seconds because of median consumption, social media usage, and technology adoption rate. In an age where constant notifications and alerts are the norm, it’s more important than ever to focus and read attentively. In speaking to clients and my readers, they tell me that the top reasons they don’t read more books are lack of time and focus, and the inability to remember what they read. Learning how to read in the age of distraction can help you stay focused and productive in today’s world.
Develop a reading habit
Just like brushing your teeth and eating breakfast is critical to well-being, reading is an important part of staying focused and productive. While it may seem daunting to develop a new reading habit, there are many benefits. It’s critical to make time for reading in your schedule, especially if you’re trying to improve your reading skills.
Reading could be an important part of our lives. It allows you to escape, learn new things, and grow into your potential. However, in the age of distraction, it’s difficult to find the time or focus to read. Read for pleasure. Reading for pleasure may sound simple, but it is anything but. It takes a lot of commitment to read a book that’s not related to your area of expertise.
Read for pleasure, not to check off a list. If you’re reading for pleasure, don’t check off a book as you read it. Remember, reading for pleasure is a way to unwind, so read whatever you like. You’re not being graded on it.
But if you want to develop a reading habit, schedule time for it. And it’s best to set aside time to read every day. For me personally, I read every morning and evening because I love to read since it gives me pleasure. If you’re not an avid reader, start reading for 15 minutes every day, then you can always add more time.
Set realistic reading goals
The average person reads about 200 words per minute, but with distractions, it’s easy to read half that amount or less. To make matters worse, many people set unrealistic reading goals for themselves. They tell themselves they’re going to read a book a week or more, when in reality they can only manage a couple of chapters. If you want to read more, then you need to set realistic goals and be patient. It’s one thing to say you want to read a book, but it’s another to actually do it.
If you find that you’re someone who is easily distracted, read in small bites. And if you’re reading nonfiction, I recommend you read to learn what you need to know. That’s what the most successful people do. To get the most out of your reading, you need to be strategic about how you approach it. That means you have a clear purpose for reading and read the sections of a book that satisfy your purpose and answer questions you have.
Be selective about what you read
With so much information at our fingertips, it is easy to get overwhelmed and not know where to start. However, by following a few simple tips, you can read more efficiently and effectively.
The first step is to figure out what you want to get out of reading. Are you looking for new ideas? Trying to improve your skills? Or just looking for entertainment? The second step is to keep in mind that the reading process is a journey. You don’t have to read through a book from start to finish, but you can take breaks if you feel like it. And as previously mentioned, if you’re reading a nonfiction book, only read the sections that satisfy your reason for reading.
Focus on one thing at a time
The average person has a shorter attention span than a goldfish because of the amount of distractions in today’s world. How can you possibly read a book when you’re constantly being pulled in different directions? The answer is simple: by focusing on one thing at a time. To read a book, turn off your phone, close all your tabs, and focus on the text in front of you. It may be difficult at first, but eventually your attention span will improve.
Prepare your mind for reading. That includes doing brain gym exercises such as jumping jacks and marching band. Listen to binaural beats audio to get you into a state of flow where you’re relaxed, yet alert. You’ll absorb a lot more when you’re reading.
Another good way to stay focused when reading is to use the Pomodoro Technique. Read for 25 minutes, then rest for five minutes. If you find you can invest more time reading, do another Pomodoro.
Take breaks
In our constantly connected world, it’s hard to find time to focus on one task. We are constantly interrupted by notifications from our phones and laptops. This can lead to a feeling of overwhelm and distraction. It’s important to take breaks during the day to give yourself time to recharge. Here are a few tips for taking breaks:
- Get up and move around. A quick walk around the house can help clear your head and refresh you.
- Get out of the house. Some people like to go on a walk in nature or seek their local park. It’s also nice to sit down with a cup of coffee and just watch the world go by.
- Take a 15-minute power nap. There’s a lot of research that shows this can help you recharge and also improve your mood. If you work remotely, then consider taking a 15-minute power nap during the day.
Final Thoughts
In conclusion, we need to read in a way that works for us in the age of distraction. This may mean carving out specific times to read, reading with others, or reading electronically. Whatever works for each individual, we must read in ways that allow us to focus and enjoy the experience.
Find a quiet place where you can focus on your reading material. Turn off your phone and any other distractions that may be around you. Or you can use technology to help you focus. Next, take a deep breath and relax. Allow yourself to get lost in the story or article. Finally, take breaks every so often to avoid getting overwhelmed. Whatever method you choose, reading is an important skill that can help you learn and grow. So don’t let distractions keep you from reading.
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Until Next Week,
Avil Beckford, Founder, The Invisible Mentor