3 Simple steps to remember everything you read

Have you ever read through a book and then thought back to what you had read and realized you couldn't remember it? Or have you ever tried weeks later to tell a friend or coworker about something you read only to find that you couldn't remember all of the details? This happens all the time. Memory decay begins to happen almost as soon as you're done learning new material. Don't worry, there is a simple process to remember what you read and you can start today. This applies to videos or class content as well. 

Mentally identify the main themes.

While intaking new content, consider and mentally note what the main ideas and themes are. What is the ultimate idea that the writer or speaker is attempting to convey to you? Mentally identifying the key themes will help you to discard the parts of the content that are not important and focus on those parts of the content that really matter. Much of what you read in a self help book may be example after example that go back and reinforce the initial topic. This is the author's way of helping to reinforce the idea that they've conveyed, but isn't necessary for you to remember that key theme over the long term. Just think through the main points as you consume content. 

Notate a short summary with the main theme and key details

After reading a book, a chapter in a heavier book, watching a video or taking a class, take notes during the content or book to identify the main ideas and themes. These should start with the main ideas and themes that you mentally noted while consuming the content. Underneath these you'll fill in some of the key details as you remember them. This reflection shortly after consuming the content will help you to remember and reinforce the ideas and themes that you just remembered. It's important too that these be done manually. Don't type your notes out in your computer, you need to physically write them down. A pen and paper work fine as does an iPad and Apple Pencil. The key is that by manually writing them down, you will be forced to more slowly take notes and this extra time will help to reinforce the neural pathways that will help you remember the content later. If you really want to reinforce these ideas, come back in a few days or a week and then transcribe your handwritten notes into notes on your computer. This will again cause you to revisit and reinforce the information.

Consider the applications of what you've read

After you've notated the key themes and details of the content you consumed, stop and consider the ramifications of what you've read. What are the consequences of the themes of the book? If the content is advocating for specific action, what are some of the cause and effect that can or will occur due to those themes? Think about how the ideas presented will apply to your past, present and current situations. How could you have or will you apply them to situations you have and will encounter?  This process will help to make the content seem more real and valuable to you. By showing yourself the practical application you will have created your own examples of how this content and it's themes apply and these will be more valuable in making long term memories than those presented by the author.

That's it!  It is very simple to remember what you've read and takes almost no time on your part. Think through the main points during reading the content, write down the key themes and details after reading the material and finally consider how you will apply the lessons to your own life and experiences. Those steps will only take a few minutes of your time, but save you hours later, from having to go back and read the content over again.  What do you think about this strategy?