Learn how to read faster

It has probably happened to you: you have read maybe four pages of a book and all of a sudden you realize that you have no idea what you have actually been reading. You have to go back and start over. If this happens frequently you start thinking: “I am not a good reader.” It becomes a self-fulfilling prophecy and you put down the book.

What happened? Since it is your brain that reads, it isn’t challenged enough by a slow reading technique. It starts engaging in other thoughts, even though you are reading. (Perfect multitasking!) Your attention focuses on other things and you no longer concentrate on reading.

How can you increase the speed of reading? It’s easy: take a thin pencil or a knitting needle and decide the pace yourself. You can do this by guiding the pen or needle along the lines. Don’t vocalize, just look at the words. Experiment with the appropriate speed and you will realize that you register everything. Read faster and comprehend what you read. Your brain needs a challenge in order to concentrate on the reading material and information.

Abstract of the book "Unleash the Secret of Education and learn how to raise a happy child" by Hans-Peter Becker.

Creativity

Creativity (or "creativeness") is a mental process involving the generation of new ideas or concepts, or new associations of the creative mind between existing ideas or concepts. 

The etymological root of the word in English and most other European languages comes from the Latin “creatus", literally "to have grown".   

 The creative minds of our time, have continued analog ways of thinking. They are not geniuses; they merely realized and used their potential.   

Creativity is neither divine inspiration, nor congenital. Neuroscientists have discovered that creativity is related to our environment and that it can be learned.

The web of knowledge is the key here. Being successful and acting creatively in a particular field is more likely, when we have a large amount of information on diverse subjects. Our brain is able to link independent information and thus to create something new and innovative. It is vital to expand our knowledge, to get to know different cultures and people, so we can provide the best possible avenues for our creativeness.

A musician who practices a Iot and has mastered an instrument, might not be a creative musician.  

"The web of knowledge is the key to intelligence and creativity".

(based on Joe Zawinul)

The plateau

The phase during which we stagnate and feel that we can't learn anymore has been named the 'plateau' by George Leonhard.   He tells us: "We have to learn to love the plateau."

Tip: When we learn a new activity (e.g. playing the piano or skiing), two processes take place simultaneously:  

1. physical execution of muscles and tendons
2. mental control of these movements  

We can save two-thirds of the training period when we proceed in a brain-friendly manner: alternate between carrying out the motion sequences physically and mentally – in slow motion!

Abstract of the book "Unleash the Secret of Education and learn how to raise a happy child" by Hans-Peter Becker.