When you read, your thoughts sometimes wander. Many people see this as a problem, but it can actually be very valuable! When your thoughts wander, you are being creative - making connections with other ideas or experiences. Instead of seeing this as a mistake, you can consider it a kind of conversation with the writer. Even though the writer cannot respond directly, you can still add your own ideas and knowledge to what you read. This makes reading much more enjoyable and educational: you not only absorb information but also actively think along.
To help this ‘conversation’ with the writer, it’s smart to take notes while reading. This can be done in a notebook or on your phone or computer. By writing down your thoughts, you can better reflect on what you read and the connections you make. And by writing down and connecting your ideas, you can create a kind of network of thoughts. By actively participating in reading and giving your own perspective, you not only understand the text better but also develop your own ideas!
Related:
- Use your own words to express your own thoughts
- A Zettelkasten is an intelligent conversation with my past thoughts
- Connect notes to start a conversation with your own thoughts
- Reserve quality time for reading; only with full attention can you make the shift from ‘reading for information’ to ‘reading for knowledge’
- Scatterfocus
- Motive
