Why do I forget what I read

29 replies
Currently I'm reading Chicken Soup for the Soul. I like it very much and I want to remember the stories in that book. But the worst thing is that after a couple of hours I don't even remember a single story I read. I want to use it to motivate my students and use them while talking to people. Is it normal or my memory is weaker?
#forget #read
  • Profile picture of the author laurencewins
    Are you reading the pages or are you simply skimming? If you are reading thoroughly, you should retain at least some of the information but it's very easy to forget things as soon as you have read them.
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    • Profile picture of the author opportunist86
      Originally Posted by laurencewins View Post

      Are you reading the pages or are you simply skimming? If you are reading thoroughly, you should retain at least some of the information but it's very easy to forget things as soon as you have read them.
      Of course I'm reading and I do it only when I want to. I don't do it just to remember and use it. I like this book very much. I wonder why its happening.
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      • Profile picture of the author mikehuff
        Do like I do. I've got a great book on growth, right? Growing is something I want to make SURE I do everyday. So when I read a chapter, I take notes as I read it.

        Then when I'm done, I set aside 20 min or so to further flesh out the notes. Works like a frickin charm. Also, I like to read ALL the notes before I start a new chapter, just to catch up to where I'm at, whether it's been a long time or not.

        It's a great system for retention that I'm planning on using into the foreseeable future.

        PS: Obviously, you forget what you read/learn rapidly over time if you don't put it to frequent use. If you don't want to try my method, find a way to use another. You'll remember!

        Good luck
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        • Profile picture of the author cjp214
          Originally Posted by mikehuff View Post

          Do like I do. I've got a great book on growth, right? Growing is something I want to make SURE I do everyday. So when I read a chapter, I take notes as I read it.

          Then when I'm done, I set aside 20 min or so to further flesh out the notes. Works like a frickin charm. Also, I like to read ALL the notes before I start a new chapter, just to catch up to where I'm at, whether it's been a long time or not.

          It's a great system for retention that I'm planning on using into the foreseeable future.

          PS: Obviously, you forget what you read/learn rapidly over time if you don't put it to frequent use. If you don't want to try my method, find a way to use another. You'll remember!

          Good luck
          You nailed it, Mike. It's funny to me how a lot of people are so uptight about NOT marking up their books. I got into a habit of writing all over my books in college (habits of an English major die hard I guess).

          I'll make a note of a words I don't know (to look them up later), interesting sections, or just things I want to go over later. Then, when I'm done reading the chapter, I'll write out a rough outline of the most important (to me) insights.

          I do this for every chapter, so by the time I'm done with a great self-help or business book, I'll have it distilled into a 15-20 page outline of the most helpful sections.

          Corey
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          • Profile picture of the author mikehuff
            Originally Posted by cjp214 View Post

            You nailed it, Mike. It's funny to me how a lot of people are so uptight about NOT marking up their books. I got into a habit of writing all over my books in college (habits of an English major die hard I guess).

            I'll make a note of a words I don't know (to look them up later), interesting sections, or just things I want to go over later. Then, when I'm done reading the chapter, I'll write out a rough outline of the most important (to me) insights.

            I do this for every chapter, so by the time I'm done with a great self-help or business book, I'll have it distilled into a 15-20 page outline of the most helpful sections.

            Corey
            EXACTLY. A solid 15-20 page outline can be read carefully and thoughtfully in like 25 minutes. A book worth of knowledge. Totally worth it Corey.
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  • Profile picture of the author TheDreamerSpot
    Originally Posted by opportunist86 View Post

    Currently I'm reading Chicken Soup for the Soul. I like it very much and I want to remember the stories in that book. But the worst thing is that after a couple of hours I don't even remember a single story I read. I want to use it to motivate my students and use them while talking to people. Is it normal or my memory is weaker?
    How often to you read?

    I was never a big reader and did not pick up a book by my own will up until just 2 years ago... but only because I wasn't good at it and I couldn't remember anything that I read.

    About 2 years ago when I discovered self improvement, I stopped watching TV and picked up my first book "Think and Grow Rich" by Napoleon Hill.

    Naturally, I stunk at it, but in time I got better and slowly started to remember everything that I was reading. To this day though, I will forget some paragraphs that I read but I simply go back and read them over and over again until they sink in...

    The reason for my not remembering what I read is I'm simply not involved in the book. My mind is pondering something else while I'm reading the words of the book. This will generally happen when I start reading, but once I get warmed up and deeply involved, it's smooth sailing from there...

    I also believe that it is very important to enjoy what you are reading and become captivated by it. Example: I'm reading "Outwitting the Devil" by Napoleon Hill right now and I flew through half the book in just 2 days(a record for me). I have never been so addicted to a book like I am with this one...

    To sum it up, keep reading to get better at it. Just like anything else, practice makes perfect. And read something you truly enjoy reading. Don't force yourself to read something that's not fun or interesting to you. This will link negative emotions to reading which will keep you from reading at all...

    BTW excellent advice MikeHuff! I will definitely use this...

    Edit: Be in a quiet place where there are no distractions. If you can't find one, pop in some earphones and play some soothing music. I listen to a meditation channel on Pandora when I can't get away from noise...
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  • Profile picture of the author kellyyarnsbro
    It is important that you read and then understand what you read. If the case that you do that and you still forgot then you're right, your memory is weak better consult. How old are you anyway?
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  • Profile picture of the author Dennis Gaskill
    Studies have shown that retention is improved when we take frequent breaks. Without breaks, everything kind of runs together. But with frequent breaks it's easier to "chunk" the information into memorable packets.

    Try reading one story and putting the book down. Go do something else for a few minutes and come back and read another story. I think you'll find your retention improves.
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  • Profile picture of the author dave147
    Possibly...your reading sessions might be too long.
    Your mind could be on other things as you're reading.

    Try...20 to 40 minute reading sessions (set the timer )
    Try to imagine the story as you read line by line.
    Consider your reading sessions an important daily activity.

    The book "How to Read a Book" might help
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  • Profile picture of the author Jeff Schuman
    I agree with Mike. Taking notes and then reviewing them really helps me. Otherwise I think we all have so much going on in our lives that our minds tend to wander while we are reading.

    Same thing with watching a You Tube video. Taking short notes and going back over them really helps me.
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    • Profile picture of the author mikehuff
      Originally Posted by Jeff Schuman View Post

      I agree with Mike. Taking notes and then reviewing them really helps me. Otherwise I think we all so much going on in our lives that our minds tend to wander while we are reading.

      Same thing with watching a You Tube video. Taking short notes and going back over them really helps me.
      Interesting...I'm on/off YouTube all day looking up quick solutions to problems. I'd do myself a favor by taking notes on them as well. Nice One!
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      • Profile picture of the author Jeff Schuman
        I like the mini whiteboard you use Mike. I saw it on your blog...

        DO YOU USE ONE OF THESE? | mikehuffmanonline.com

        I used to use a big marker board we had for doing Amway meetings 30 years ago, but that has long been lost. I need to get a small one like you have and use it for my daily to do list. Maybe I would accomplish more. You know what they say "out of sight, out of mind." It is easy to get sidetracked when you log online and start making money!
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        • Profile picture of the author mikehuff
          Originally Posted by Jeff Schuman View Post

          I like the mini whiteboard you use Mike. I saw it on your blog...

          DO YOU USE ONE OF THESE? | mikehuffmanonline.com

          I used to use a big marker board we had for doing Amway meetings 30 years ago, but that has long been lost. I need to get a small one like you have and use it for my daily to do list. Maybe I would accomplish more. You know what they say "out of sight, out of mind." It is easy to get sidetracked when you log online and start making money!
          It's incredible how much something as simple as that will put a fire under your butt to get stuff done!! And at like $3 the value is insane.

          Thanks for checking it out, still super new and working on it but tough to find the time with so much going on. It's on the list though
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  • Profile picture of the author andyredsox
    I totally agree with some of you guys.

    What I personally do is keeping a journal of the things that I have read and liked.

    Read through them from time to time.

    The brain has it's way to store information especially if you see them often.
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  • Profile picture of the author mmrumii
    Because you perhaps concentrate on too many things at a time.
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  • Profile picture of the author kellyyarnsbro
    Lot's of probable causes if you could see and read the comments here, i bet you are trying each and every advice then let us now if still doesn't work.
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  • Profile picture of the author Jarmila
    Originally Posted by opportunist86 View Post

    Currently I'm reading Chicken Soup for the Soul. I like it very much and I want to remember the stories in that book. But the worst thing is that after a couple of hours I don't even remember a single story I read. I want to use it to motivate my students and use them while talking to people. Is it normal or my memory is weaker?
    I used to have a memory like a sieve until I started meditating. Your brain actually stores all memories just fine. It's the retrieval that causes problems :-)

    When you meditate, you relax your mind and it's much easier to dig into the archives. Whenever I want to remember something, I meditate, visualize that I am easily remembering "the story I just read" (or whatever), and then relax and allow it to come without forcing it (NO "come on, dammit, remember!"). Almost without fail, the memory comes up very soon. If not, I meditate on it again just before I go to bed. Either during the night or first thing in the morning, voila!
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  • Profile picture of the author namktqs
    You need put yourself as person on stories as your case that you must live with. Things you like that show you want it too, that is right way to moving.
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  • Profile picture of the author comparative
    Underline the most important concepts. Take some notes in each chapter.
    Close the book after reading for a while and ask yourself what you learned.


    Good luck!
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  • Profile picture of the author mmrumii
    Try to create interest on the topic you are reading. Otherwise you will not be able to remember them.
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  • Profile picture of the author chiukev
    There's nothing wrong with you.....

    Instead of just reading the words, understand the meaning and the lesson in the story....
    then share it to as many people as you can, as soon as you can...
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  • Profile picture of the author malcsimm
    Hi

    In tests, subjects who read a book once had very poor comprehension a week later. This is normal!

    The way to remember what you read is to makes notes as you go - as someone else said: but then the important thing is to REVIEW those notes 24 hours and 7 days later.

    Studies show that subjects who read the book, made notes, reviewed next day - only taking 5-10 minutes - then repeated the review 7 days later retain ten times as much as the person who just read once.

    So that's the answer to remembering what you read!

    Also, rather counter-intuitively, if you speed read you are likely to remember more (as long as you review) because you develop the habit of distilling out the most important facts in the topic.

    :-)

    Malc
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    • Profile picture of the author mikehuff
      Originally Posted by malcsimm View Post

      Hi

      In tests, subjects who read a book once had very poor comprehension a week later. This is normal!

      The way to remember what you read is to makes notes as you go - as someone else said: but then the important thing is to REVIEW those notes 24 hours and 7 days later.

      Studies show that subjects who read the book, made notes, reviewed next day - only taking 5-10 minutes - then repeated the review 7 days later retain ten times as much as the person who just read once.

      So that's the answer to remembering what you read!

      Also, rather counter-intuitively, if you speed read you are likely to remember more (as long as you review) because you develop the habit of distilling out the most important facts in the topic.

      :-)

      Malc
      I was LOOKING for those facts earlier when I first responded! Couldn't find em and was kinda bummed about it because I really started wondering. Glad you posted!
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  • Profile picture of the author The Happy Mom
    It's quite possible that you are not in the present moment when you are reading. It could be that your mind wanders to other things. I have done this myself many times. I read a page and then realize after that I didn't even absorb anything I just read. Similar to when we are driving(although it is very dangerous) but many of us let our minds wander while driving and arrive at our destination without even knowing or remembering how we got there. Sometimes, referred to as "hypnotic driving".
    This could be what is happening to you when you read. You are going through the motion of reading the words but not letting your mind stay focused on the words. When you notice this happening, stop and refocus back to the page and this time let your mind stay there.
    Hope that helps!
    Tracey
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  • Profile picture of the author EPoltrack77
    re=read it over and over. It's really impossible for most of us to comprhend what is being told the first time. You think you might know and maybe you do but re-read it anyways. I'm in the process of reading "Secrets of the Millionaire Mind" by T. Harv Eker. Actually it's by third time going though the book cover to cover.
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    • Profile picture of the author kellyyarnsbro
      Originally Posted by EPoltrack77 View Post

      re=read it over and over. It's really impossible for most of us to comprhend what is being told the first time. You think you might know and maybe you do but re-read it anyways. I'm in the process of reading "Secrets of the Millionaire Mind" by T. Harv Eker. Actually it's by third time going though the book cover to cover.
      Yeah, i agree that by re-reading what you have read allows you to comprehend more and improves your understanding what you have read.
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      • Profile picture of the author Daniel Evans
        I'm the same.

        I think you'll probably find that what you read is "in there". Just not at the forefront.


        Daniel
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  • Profile picture of the author AliPali
    I'm reading The Power of Now, its hard to get my head round but I'm getting there.
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  • Profile picture of the author NewParadigm
    Read it aloud and record yourself to play it back for review.
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