7 Tips to Reducing
Your Reading Pile
How large is your
reading pile? I know if I don't make time to read every
day, mine easily gets out of control. Here are some
tips to ease your reading load:
1. Immediately scan
the Table of Content when you buy or receive a
magazine. Professional Organizers call it the "Rip &
Read Method." Rip out articles and information you want
to read and dispose of the remaining magazine pages.
2. Make an "Urgent to
Read" or a "Must Read" file. Carry it with you wherever
you go. When you're stuck in traffic or waiting at the
doctor's office, read something useful.
3. Get rid of
anything that's older than two months (or three months
or whatever you're comfortable with). If you haven't
read it in that amount of time you're probably not going
to.
4. Make time to read
daily. Schedule it in your planner. Even 15 minutes a
day, done consistently, can greatly reduce your reading
pile.
5. Read with a
highlighter and pen. You can make notes and highlight
important points to avoid rereading later.
6. Scan information
if you're not sure how important it is. Many times, you
can quickly surmise whether you need to keep or toss.
7. Make a decision
after you read the information. Never place it back in
the reading file. Do you need to keep it or can you
access it elsewhere if you need it later? Should you
file it for reference? Should you forward the
information to someone else? Do it now.
Article Reference:
Copyright 2002-06 Barbara Myers. All Rights Reserved. |