Forums IMPORTANT: PLEASE READ PhotoReading, Memory Optimizer I've always photoread in bookstores, but. . . .

Over the course of a few hours in a bookstore I can become something of an expert on virtually any subject. After defining my topic, I start with one book and whip through it looking for relevant information. Very quickly I absord the key points, and find references to other books. I run around the store like a crazed scholar, soaking up knowledge, making connections, soaring on what I can only refer to as an intellectual high. I'm in a wonderful state of intellectual curiosity. Having determined which books are the best on the subject, I buy them. I've done this ever since I was a little kid.

Then. . .back home that night, ot the next day, or a week later, I sit down to "read" the first of the stack of new books. And it's agony. Now that I'm "reading," not "researching" or "browsing," I feel compelled to read every word, every sentence, and it takes forever. I uually end up putting the book down and picking up another. The cycle repeats itself over and over, and this accounts for the stacks of partially-read books all over my apartment. It's maddening, because I know from my bookstore experiences that I'm capable of so much more.

Any suggestions on how to get myself into that fantastic accelerative learning state (one which I can seemingly enter at will with no rituals while browsing in a bookstore), when I'm trying to get through a pile of books at home?

Would the tape course help?

Thanks!
Mike

Can you vividly imagine yourself in the bookstore before beginning with the books at home? You might use that vivid imagining to get yourself into that state and then put the tangerine in place to get started.

I think the tape set would definitely help. However, as we've mentioned in here before, doing the 5 Day Plan would help considerably. It took me two tries on the plan to get results that satisfied me, but it was well worth the effort. The more I practiced, the more I was able to let go of my need to read every word (I love books and it's difficult for me not to relish every word...).

You might also try the plan for novels that Pete outlined in the topic called "Feeling" (or something like that). I was very surprised with the results from that one.

It gets redundant because we say it all the time, but the more I practice, the more I accept the reality and the value of the statement:

Just have fun and play with it.

You want to apply your bookstore technique to each book. Use the full system on the book, and simply resist going through the book word for word.

Any of the Paraliminal Tapes can help you get into the Accelerated Learning State, but I do strongly recommend the PhotoReading self-study.

Plus, you will naturally want to share your success w/ others. Having the physical course at hand will enable people to see for themselves what is involved.

That's what I've discovered as well! My practice is to set my topic goal, than start searching that topic section. My eyes scan the titles, and I'll pull books that catch my eye for a closer look. To determine whether I'm interested further, I scan the title, back cover, flip to front cover, and only if further interested, I'll read the flaps. Words jump out at me. If the book passes these tests, I'll hold it in my pile of possibilities. When I've finished gathering all the possibilities from that section, I'll carry them to a table, or find a place to sit and take a closer look.

Closer inspection is checking out the table of contents, viewing the index, and just flipping through to see where my eyes land. If I like what I find as I pass through, it meets my criteria for reading.

For periodicals and newspapers, I read headings, glance at photos and read captions. I scan articles, and only actually focus on every word if the wording itself grabs me. I can't seem to get enough of a well turned phrase!

I taught my son to view the newspaper this way, when in 7th grade he needed to write a current events report each week. The task of viewing the newspaper was overwhelming to him until he discovered that he need only scan the headings, until he found something of interest, and even then he need only read the first and last paragraphs to know what the article is about!

You said I sit down to "read" the first of the stack of new books. And it's agony. .

Perhaps your connotation of "reading" is skewed due to an old, worn association that reading is difficult. You might consider that since you now love being the crazed scholar, soaking up knowledge, making connections, soaring on what you can only refer to as an intellectual high that "reading" for you now represents this excitement, this joy.

Bring that wonderful association from the bookstore home with you. My heart pounds when I first enter the bookstore. I love the smell, even the old musty stores. So much possibility. My shelves at home give me that same pleasure. I'm excited when I crack open a book, but if writers were limited to only giving pertinent information, most books would be under 50 pages.

Without knowing Photoreading (I've only begun the program), here's how my reading usually goes:

Decide what I'm in the mood to read/learn. Pick up the book, review the front, back (recall why I wanted to read this in the first place). Get an idea of what the book is about and what I want to get out of it. Open, and start reading the first chapter. I read till my eyes start to glaze, then I skip further along. Many times I'll only read a few words in each sentence, or a few words down the middle of the page. If you scan like this, you'll still find you know the gist. I'll generally read the first and last paragraph, any call outs, headings and subheadings.

If the writing is to my liking, I may read every word, or I may not. Skip through at whatever speed is comfortable, but do skip and no law says you must read front to back. Jump ahead, jump back, just enjoy learning what you can from the material.

This post came late to this thread, so perhaps you've gotten far enough in your Photoreading that this is old hat by now!

My name is Kathryn, and I love to read.

quote:

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Originally posted by Pete Bissonette:
[B]Your visits to the bookstore is a great metaphor for how to go through books. B]

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This is interesting because I have same experiences like Mike. I'm often Photoreading
much better when I'm at a library or drinking coffe alone. And the time for photoreading and even activations are often within one hour, sometimes two. And after that I can remember a lot of things from the book.

When I'm studying it doesn't work as well like at a bookstore or library.

Is that because I'm relaxed and have unconsciously imagined what I'am going to do just before reading? And made clear what I
want to do with the book?

Jonas

Brook Swartz / swartzwalker@hotmail.com

Stories are more enjoyable, characters richers, I am more engaged in the book (even if it is a nonfiction), and I move through the book much faster than had I not PhotoRead it.

Plus, when I PhotoRead the book I get the sense of whether or not I would enjoy reading it for entertainment. That has never been wrong. And, I've saved a lot of time from trying to find entertainment is something that just wouldn't be entertaining for me.

But what about for activation?

Specifically, in the Photo-Studying method that Paul lays out in the book, he suggests we preview for 2 min before reading/photoreading/activation or whatever it is we are doing during the study session.

How do you rate previewing before activation here? Is it the same with Photoreading and Postviewing?--in other words, would it be wiser to postview with the Photostudying method?

My preference is to preview the **next** portion of the book I'm going to activate **at the end** of the regular activation and before the break. That way, I can have some 5 to 15 minutes of incubation during the break.