Mastering the Speed Reading
“It is what you read when you don’t have to that determines what you will be when you can’t help it.” – Oscar Wilde
What you read—especially outside of school or work—shapes your future. But once formal education ends and everyday life begins, many people stop reading regularly. Why?
The top excuse? “I don’t have time.” But that’s not the real issue. It’s not about reading time—it’s about how you read.
By improving your reading habits and learning how to increase your reading pace, you can transform your daily routine, absorb more knowledge, and apply it in both business and everyday life.
Step 1 - Understand Your Current Reading Speed
Before you improve, measure your current reading speed:
Grab a book, magazine, or news article.
Set a timer for one minute.
Read at your normal pace.
Multiply the words per line by the number of lines read.
Compare Your Speed:
Knowing your baseline is the first step toward unlocking your reading potential.
Under 180 WPM – Slow reading (untrained readers)
180–240 WPM – Average reading speed
240–350 WPM – College-level reader
350–500 WPM – Efficient reader
500+ WPM – Expert speed readers
Step 2 - Break Bad Reading Habits
Backtracking
You reread words because:
You didn’t understand them (conscious)
Your mind wandered (unconscious)
This slows you down by over 15%. Fix this with active reading—stay present and focused during your reading sessions.
Vocalizing Words
Most people subvocalize—“hearing” the words in their heads. While it feels natural, it limits reading efficiency.
Tip: Train your peripheral vision to scan multiple words at once and process entire sentences.
Step 3 - Read with Purpose
Why are you reading?
For pleasure? Slow down and enjoy the story.
For growth or business? Use speed reading skills to get to the key ideas faster.
Understanding your intent shifts your reading style and improves your learning experience.
As Tim Ferriss teaches, understanding your “why” makes reading part of an optimized daily routine.
Step 4 - Learn Effective Speed Reading Techniques
Here are four effective techniques that will improve both speed and comprehension:
Underlining - Use your finger or a pen to track each line. It guides your eyes and increases focus.
Dusting - Sweep your hand across the page like wiping a table. It forces your brain to process blocks of text instead of individual words.
Circling - Underline the first sentence of each paragraph, then circle your finger through the rest. This highlights key ideas and strengthens memory techniques.
Paragraphing - Skim the first sentence, then use circular motion to read chunks of the paragraph. It improves your reading capabilities and helps train the human brain to handle more information per scan.
Step 5 - Don’t Just Read—Comprehend
Speed means nothing without comprehension. Boost your retention using tools like:
Mind mapping
Summarizing sections
Taking comprehension tests
Recalling and applying information
This strengthens long-term understanding—especially in business, where remembering strategy and application is vital.
Step 6 - Make It a Habit
Like any skill, speed reading requires regular training and daily reading practice.
Set aside 10–20 minutes daily
Use a popular resource like Blinkist or Readwise
Track progress weekly
Practice across different formats: books, blogs, news articles
Your reading process will become faster, sharper, and more natural over time.
Unlock Your Reading Potential
Mastering speed reading helps you:
Make better use of valuable time
Improve reading efficiency
Gain extensive experience faster
Apply what you learn in daily life or business
Save mental energy while processing more information
Whether you're a student, entrepreneur, or professional, becoming a smarter reader helps you become a smarter thinker.
If you’re serious about using what you read to grow your business, join the Limitless Leaders Club—a network of growth-minded entrepreneurs focused on making faster, smarter moves. Or, if you're ready to implement these insights into your business marketing, hire a Marketing Sidekick. We’ll help you turn faster learning into faster scaling with AI-powered strategies and smart automation. The tools are in your hands. It’s time to read faster, learn smarter, and grow intentionally.
