Have you ever caught yourself reading the same sentence over and over and still not understanding it? Yeah, me too.

A lot of guides promise to “double your reading speed,” but most rely on myths that actually hurt comprehension. If you want to read more — and remember more — the key isn’t speed. It’s strategy. Here’s a realistic, evidence-based approach to reading efficiently, grounded in attention, habit-building, and how your brain actually works.

1. Start With a Purpose

Before opening a book, ask yourself:

• What do I want to learn?
• Do I need full detail or just the big picture?

Without a purpose, every paragraph feels equally important — which slows you down and wrecks retention.

2. Stop Forcing Yourself to Finish Bad Books

Pushing through something you dislike drains your time and your motivation to read anything else.

Try the 50-page rule (or ~15%): if it hasn’t earned its place by then, let it go.

This isn’t laziness — it’s strategic attention management. Of course, this applies only to books you choose to read.

3. Match the Reading Method to the Goal

Different goals require different approaches:

• For learning: take notes, pause often, and reread dense parts.
• For entertainment: let the story flow; don’t overthink.

Mixing the two slows your pace and reduces enjoyment.

4. Reduce Friction to Make Reading Easier

If reading feels inconvenient, you’ll avoid it — and blame “lack of motivation.”

Reduce friction by adjusting:

• your format (ebook, physical, audiobook)
• your environment (lighting, comfort, noise)
• your level of distractions (especially your phone)

Small annoyances snowball into resistance.

5. Use Smart Skimming for Dense or Technical Texts

Skimming is not cheating — it’s preparation.

Start by reading:

• the introduction
• topic sentences
• the conclusion

before diving into the entire chapter.

This builds a mental map so you don’t get lost in the details.

A recent study found that skimming and scanning are among the most commonly used reading strategies, especially for getting the gist of texts quickly.

6. Let Go of Perfectionism

You don’t need to understand every sentence on the first try.
Even experts don’t.

Move on when a detail isn’t essential. Return only if your goal requires deeper comprehension.

7. Adapt Your Routine to Your Natural Focus

Efficient reading is more about timing than willpower.

Pay attention to:

• when your focus peaks
• how long you can concentrate before drifting

Most people do well with:

• 25–40 minute reading blocks
• 5-minute breaks
• a consistent reading slot each day

8. Track Progress (Not Speed)

Speed encourages shallow reading.

Track instead:

• pages or chapters read
• notes and highlights
• insights gained

This builds momentum without sacrificing comprehension.

9. Make Books Easy to Reach

Place your current reads where you naturally spend time:

• your desk
• your bag
• your bedside table
• as ebooks on your phone

Make picking up a book easier than picking up your phone.

10. Mix Formats Without Guilt

You’re not “cheating” by switching formats.

• Audiobooks: great for fiction, memoirs, commutes
• Ebooks: easy highlighting and nighttime reading
• Print: best for deep focus and studying

Mixing formats increases your overall reading time — simple as that.

Final Thoughts

Reading efficiently isn’t about rushing. It’s about being intentional.

When you reduce friction, choose the format that fits your moment, and read with a purpose, you naturally read more — and enjoy it more.

What about you? Do you follow these strategies, or do you just rush through a book you don’t even like? Both happen, honestly.

Or are you in a reading slump? You can read how to get out of it here!

Thanks for reading, and as always, see you next time. Bye!