One of our most significant weaknesses as a species is that we have a propensity for instant gratification. The evolutionary processes that have molded us into who we are have also given us tendencies that are not conducive to productivity.

Most of us have an inherent understanding that reading is essential. We hear it all the time from successful people, and it also makes sense when you think about it. How does one learn about the world? How does one go about expanding one’s knowledge? Of course, by reading. It seems like an obvious thing to do to become more informed and increase one’s intellect. However, at the same time, we find ourselves unable to reach our reading goals. This hindrance is usually caused by a lack of time, or so we think, but mostly, we don’t know how to utilize our time and develop smart reading habits intelligently.

For most of my adult life, I have believed fervently in the idea that reading should be a gradual process. I thought that you should take your time with a book and systematically absorb all the insights. Why shouldn’t you? After all, reading is not a competition but a pursuit of knowledge. Why rush it? This does make sense at the surface, as I have grown older; however, I have realized that not all reading should be treated the same.

How many times have you read a book or an article only to forget everything after a few days? If you are anything like me, I am sure you don’t have a photographic memory. This has been a constant struggle in my life. I have always liked reading books, but I seldomly remember the essential details once I have finished a book. I encounter this problem the most with information-dense non-fiction books. Ironically, non-fiction books are the ones that you want to remember. Unlike a novel, in which even if you forget the tiny details but remember the main plot, you can still remember the “gist”. However, if you read a history book, you would want to absorb all the vital information to bring it up in a conversation or on a test.