Hi! This is a sort of "My 1st contribution to forum" -message. I found PR in the spring 2000 when I was searching books for some traditional speed reading techniques in the library. That spring I had just completed my military service in the army, and I was preparing few months for entrance exams for the psychology. I never got accepted in the program, maybe I was too enthusiastically reading other psychology/personal development related literature than my entrance books. But for my personal growth that spring was really important - especially finding PR and related stuff. Really eye-opening time for that 20 year old guy.

After that spring PhotoReading was on my mind every now and then, and I got huge inspiration after finding this forum in the summer of 2002, but once again I failed for some fundamental mistakes. I think I would have had less struggling, if I had done everything as 99.9% of population is doing – using traditional methods. But as in life in general, you can get much more out of it, if you don´t do like everybody else is doing and find your own paths. Now in this autumn 2003 I´m so close learning the proper skill that I can almost say that I´m really a PhotoReader. Still I have much to learn.

I have done some mistakes while learning this skill, so I hope I can help other beginners. Some hints that I want to give (maybe there is nothing new in my list for most of you, but anyway):

1. Don´t try to learn PR while preparing to some important entrance exam, if you don´t really have plenty of time. And if you try to learn PR while preparing to major exams, be sure to get feedback of your learning as it´s easy to change your beliefs in the wrong way when you are not in the touch with the reality (=like preparing independently).
2. Don´t think that immediately after learning PR you can take three times the amount of studying than "regular" students. Increase the work load gradually. This is not as easy if your mind is greedy (as mine is), and you want to achieve more in the less time.
3. Use paraliminals like Memory SuperCharger and Personal Genius (with a goal like “I want to master PR better and better every day”).
4. As first books you want to process with PRWMS try something else than math, physics or books that are not in your own language.
5. Take a holistic approach to learn PR. Think of PhotoReading as a life style. PR has much to do with intuition, so strengthen your intuitive mind (Emery´s Intuition workbook is good). Start practising meditation (HoloSync or similar created with BWGEN are easy ways to get a regular meditation habit).
6. You may want to use BWGEN´s 30 minute "Learning aid" while activating. For some reason the original preset is with 6hz binaural beat, so you may want to change it to 10hz, so you won´t feel drowsy.
7. Every kind of exercising is good. After gym or jogging your mind is crystal clear, and especially then it´s good time to practise the system. Eat healthy food, it affects truly to your performance.
8. Some good and relaxing music (New Age genre, etc) listened throughout the day when you are at home is good for your feelings. I recommend Prem Joshua´s recordings, like Sky Kisses Earth (it has some Indian style influences).
9. Be sure to try to get your life balanced, meet daily people who helps you to grow. At least I have difficulties to concentrate on studying if I have some worries on my mind.
10. Do dozens of searches for this forum, you can probably find all the relevant information already asked.
11. I use MindManager software for mindmapping and it helped me to get my ideas flow more freely as I don´t need to worry like “what if I want to organize mind map in a different way” or “maybe the space in the paper is finished”. It´s a wonderful tool. I have been starting making mind maps about everything. And after all, the whole universe can be presented as an one huge mind map! If you are patient enough, you truly can mind map the whole universe into one single mind map, but unfortunately you have to devote all your life for that
12. Invest in a good ergonomic working environment. I bought a 650e chair, and it´s worth of every cent.
13. Find a way to flip pages without stressing yourself. I use a small rubber “thing” (used in offices, when handling lot of papers) in the middle finger of my right hand for smooth flipping.

I want to thank also three persons who I have found most important while reading the forum (there is others as well, don´t worry): AlexK (the patient PR expert), Margaret (intuition expert, and great wisdom of life experience), Brian649 (about age of mine, and a real breaker of the limits).

Finally, I want to say one thing: learning to PR – it´s not only about learning a skill, but understanding that your beliefs are the things that mostly limits yourself in life. If you can learn the skill that so many struggle for long time (including me), your mind has to be strong. And with that strong mind you can achieve terrible much in your life, if that´s what you want!

HenriS

Hi, Henri
Congratulations on those tips! They are very insightful and impressive for a beginning PR. In fact, a some are hinted throughout the course.
I myself can be very stressed out and frustrated from the results of limited thinking, and I realize from your post that I should creatively find ways to make myself comfortable with PhotoReading.

Thanks for the tips, very helpful to a beginner like me! Answered several of my questions as well. It seems that being in the "playful" mood with the PRWMS is very important and not expecting results right away.