This is how you improve your reading efficiency with the deadline strategy

In this tutorial, I will introduce you to the Deadline strategy, a basic method to improve your reading efficiency and retention through speed reading. This strategy is ideal for beginners and helps you systematically increase your reading speed and make the results measurable. With this technique, you can not only read faster but also retain more information and work more focused on your readings.

Main Insights

The Deadline strategy is based on the idea of how long it takes you to read a book page. By measuring the time with a stopwatch, you will be motivated to continuously surpass your own reading performance. The key points include:

• Measuring the reading time for each book page.
• The goal of undercutting your own time with each new page.
• The focus on physical books instead of e-books for effective speed reading.
• Regular practice over a period of at least 90 days to achieve real progress.

Step-by-Step Guide

Step 1: Preparation of Materials

Before starting with the Deadline strategy, make sure you have all the necessary materials at hand. You will need a physical book (preferably a non-fiction book) and a stopwatch, which you can find either on your smartphone or on the internet.

Step 2: Determine Your Baseline Time

Choose the first book page you want to read and set the stopwatch to zero. Start reading and stop the time once you have finished the page. Note down the time required, approximately 30 seconds or more, depending on the difficulty level of the page.

Step 3: Start the Next Round

For the next page, set the stopwatch again. The challenge is to minimize your time by reading the new page faster than the previous one. Repeat this process with each new page.

Step 4: Keep Track of Your Progress

After reading several pages, review your times to reflect on your progress. You should already notice an improvement in your reading times. It is important to increase the pace, but be realistic, especially with pages that have more text or complex content.

Step 5: Develop Your Focus and Flow

An offshoot of the Deadline strategy is the heightened focus you will develop. As you continuously strive to improve your reading times, you will also enter a "flow" state. This means that you will increasingly be able to read with concentration, enhancing your overall reading experience.

Step 6: Regular Practice Over 90 Days

To make real progress, you should apply this technique regularly. It is recommended to do this over a period of at least 90 days. By practicing regularly and setting new goals based on your previous times, you will get a good sense of your progress.

Summary

The Deadline strategy is an effective method to increase your reading speed and retention. By measuring the time you need for each book page, you will be motivated to improve your performance. Regular practice is crucial for the success of this strategy.