The rate at which we learn depends on many factors, the human brain has the capacity to take in information rapidly and store massive amounts of information.

Our formal education can go well into our twenties, and then there is on-going learning through our careers and hobbies. More information is becoming available every day as research and development is expanding plus the rate of change is accelerating.

How do we keep up with all this information? The reality is that most of us are not able to. We need the tools, resources, to determine what information we need or want, then discarding what is not required, we need better and faster analysis skills.

The limitation to taking in information is not our brains capacity, it works at lightning speed. The issue is we use a small percentage of its ability, so how do we tap into the unused part?

Our five senses, sight, hearing, smell, taste and touch all input information into the brain. The effectiveness of each one depends on many factors. Understanding which sense is the most efficient for the information we require will help us decide which sense to use.

If we are listening to someone explain something, they’re talking at 130 to 180 words per minute. Added to this will be their gestures, facial expressions, tone and emphasis. Each will add to the meaning we gain. Someone who is reading effectively can take in the same information at about 1,000 words per minute. They will have the information in 5 to 7 times faster. However when information is about a complex machinery part or showing how to assemble something a video is more effectively.

So much information today is written therefore we can gain the most by learning how to read efficiently.

If studying or working in a profession or career where you need to read a lot gaining the skill of reading effectively, it will be of great benefit to you. This skill has saved me more time than any other I have learnt in my lifetime, plus it has many side benefits.