When trying to comprehend what you're reading {whether you're studying or flipping through a magazine} utilize Post-It Notes® & a pen or pencil.

1. When you read something that captures your attention, write yourself a quick note about what your thought was.
2. Next, stick it on the page correlating with the paragraph ~ hanging out like a "tab"
3. Continue reading on.

Next time you pick up the book {or magazine} you will be able to go straight to the areas that "spoke" to you & refresh your memory about what was so important.


A few things to understand about why this works:

• This technique engages the reader. Moving the activity of reading from sedentary to active.
• It allows the experience of taking in information from simply visual to tactile {touching & feeling} as well as kinesthetic {movement}.
• It speaks to the type of visual ADDer's enjoy ~ color {I bet you thought I was going to say messy, huh? grin}
• And it even flirts with learning on an emotional level, due to the "connection" made between information intake, thought process & a conversation you'll have with yourself later when reviewing the tabs.

So let's see what this might look like:

I came across this revelation while advising a virtual client on the technique. I picked up the book I was currently reading for work {Buy-ology, by Martin Lindstrom} & I quickly flipped to page 84 where he is discussing "subliminal advertising" {this book was part of my year long research on why my clients continue to acquire even though they have expressed they want to de-clutter}. I was then able to review the original paragraph & share with the client my thought about his information.

Hopefully this all makes sense, but if not, be sure to leave comments or questions on the Clutter Support Group Blog :o)

Have a wonderful day,

april