Forums IMPORTANT: PLEASE READ PhotoReading, Memory Optimizer Concentration or daydreaming? Which is Best?

Is it just enough to stare at the pages when photoreading without conscious effort or do you have to consciously make sure that you see the corners of two pages? When I am staring at the pages they are well within my peripheral vision, but I start to daydream sometimes. Do I have to pull myself out of the daydreaming and concentrate on seeing the edges or does my subconscious mind pick it up anyway?

I never pay attention to the corners, and I do just fine. And I daydream all the time. I'll just be sitting there photoreading something, and then my mind starts thinking of something else. Like what I'm going to do later on in the day. Or I'll start thinking about some fantasy novel I just read, and picture what the world would be like, with all those elves and hobbits, etc, etc, etc. You just really have to play with the system and see what works best for you.

interesting. my seminar instructor specifically told us not to day dream. it gives too much room for other random stuff to absorb into the subconcious. that is why the mantras and repetitive words/phrases are important. that's what my instructor has led me to believe. can someone official from learning strategies clarify this because i'm curious as well. thanks.

now that i think about it even more, it would make sense to NOT daydream. the repetition keeps you in the alpha state. if you're daydreaming, your mind is wandering way too much, making PR very less effective. i've tried both.

I brought this question to our PhotoReading instructor, Cheryl Hiltibran, and here is her response:

"I recommend as an instructor, if you recognize your mind is wandering you may not be flipping the pages fast enough to stay more connected with the content of the book or text.

But also, notice what your daydreams are and refer to the text to determine if the daydreams are connected to the subject you are reading. You have to go back to the text, activation, etc, to validate your daydreams, before you dismiss their potential value.

Ask yourself, could the daydreams be your plan for implementing the material later? If that is true, you are demonstrating "High Order Thinkng" which is great!

Being aware of whether you feel anxious or bored while flipping, is the guideline of knowing whether you are in an optimal state for absorbing the material or not.

Being aware of the corners of the pages isn't as important as being aware that you are actually using your full peripheral vision/awareness, which is 99% of your vision."