How to Read Faster and Boost Your Thinking Skills

Reading books helps broaden perspectives and develop analytical skills. When KTGA reads a book, it is not simply about receiving information but rather confronting a new worldview. Each author brings a different way of approaching a subject, allowing us to expand our horizons and move beyond a fixed mindset. This is similar to seeking new sources of information in the stock market, where each event, each number, can spark unexpected reactions. Only when we learn to observe, analyze, and evaluate elements from multiple perspectives can we make well-informed decisions.

The ability to develop critical thinking is also closely linked to the habit of reading. One of the profound benefits of reading books is the ability to stimulate critical thinking. Every book not only provides information but also poses questions, challenging you to think and assess. Especially with philosophical or deeply researched books, you cannot simply accept the content without asking, “Is this true? Why does the author say that?” Asking such questions helps you not only understand deeply but also refine the ability to view issues from different angles.

Tips for Reading Books Faster and More Effectively

KTGA has spent a long time searching for methods to read books quickly while maintaining quality. In an increasingly fast-paced and busy life, if you only read slowly, it will be difficult to absorb all the important information. However, this does not mean ignoring the depth of each book. The key is figuring out how to save time while grasping the main points effectively. So, how can you read books quickly and still achieve high results?

1. Choose the Right Book

Not every book needs to be read from start to finish. This is the first tip for reading books quickly and effectively: Choose a book that aligns with your reading purpose. Are you reading to learn new knowledge, for entertainment, or to deeply research a specific field? Ask yourself this question before you begin. For example, if you’re a stock investor and want to learn about technical analysis strategies, you don’t need to read an entire book on the history of the stock market. Instead, look for chapters or sections directly related to the strategies and tools you need.

Additionally, keep in mind that a thick book does not necessarily contain more knowledge. Concise, focused books can also provide valuable insights, as long as they are carefully selected.

2. Skimming

Skimming is one of the fast reading methods that KTGA highly appreciates. Essentially, this technique helps you quickly pass through unnecessary sections to focus on the core content of the book. When using this method, you won’t need to read every word, but rather skim through paragraphs, sections, or chapters to capture the key ideas and important information.

For example, when reading a book about the stock market, you don’t need to read all the detailed examples about small companies or cases unrelated to the strategy you’re researching. Instead, focus on sections that contain specific models and analyses you’re looking for. According to Dr. Walter J. Perry from Oxford University, skimming can save you up to 40% of your reading time while still allowing you to understand 70% of the important content.

3. Slow Down on Important Sections

While reading quickly helps save time, it doesn’t mean skipping important sections. Slowing down on key parts is a technique that KTGA always encourages. Important sections of a book, where profound theories, crucial strategies, or thought-provoking analyses are found, should be given time for careful reflection.

This is especially important in books about the stock market, where every investment decision needs to be carefully considered. For example, when reading a book about fundamental analysis, sections related to how to evaluate a company through financial reports should be read thoroughly, as they will directly affect your investment decisions. Don’t hesitate to pause, take notes, and analyze the key points you’ve just absorbed.

4. Use Supporting Tools

Technology is a highly useful tool to help you read faster and more effectively. KTGA believes that by using tools like audiobooks, e-books, or online reading apps, you can easily access books anytime, anywhere. Audiobooks are especially useful when you don’t have time to sit down and read but still want to learn while driving, walking, or exercising.

Moreover, with e-books, you can use search features to quickly find the chapters, sections, or parts you need without having to flip through each page. Coupled with reading apps, you can even take notes directly on the page, highlight important points, and easily refer back to them later.

5. Take Notes and Summarize

Taking notes while reading is one of the techniques KTGA always applies to both retain information and enhance the depth of understanding. Note-taking helps you systematize the main points you’ve read, while also improving memory retention and the ability to apply knowledge in real life.

After reading a section or chapter, take a few minutes to summarize what you have learned. You can jot down key ideas, methods, or strategies that you find useful. For example, when reading about technical indicators in stock market analysis, write down formulas, usage methods, and illustrative examples so you can apply them directly later without having to search through the book.

A study from Princeton University showed that taking notes helps the brain process information better, improves memory retention, and makes it easier to connect new knowledge with what you already know.

6. Read with Clear Goals

One of the most important factors that help you read quickly and effectively is having clear goals. Before you start reading any book, ask yourself, “What do I want to achieve from this book?” If you read without a specific goal, you will easily get distracted and miss out on important information.

For example, if you’re reading a book about stock market analysis, your goal could be to understand how to apply technical analysis to make buy and sell decisions. In this case, you only need to focus on sections related to strategies, analytical tools, and practical examples, rather than wasting time on irrelevant sections.

In this way, reading books will no longer be a vague task but a purposeful activity, allowing you to absorb information quickly and effectively.

The key to reading books quickly and effectively lies in combining the right book selection, smart reading techniques, and using supportive tools. Only when you know how to apply these tips can you save time while still gaining valuable knowledge from the books you read

Reading Techniques to Enhance Thinking Skills

Reading books is not just about consuming information; it is a process of reflection and intellectual development. When you read a book, the important thing is not how many pages you read but whether you understand deeply and can apply what you’ve learned. To achieve this, note-taking while reading is a crucial technique. Note-taking not only helps you store information but also serves as a method to enhance your thinking, analytical ability, and the application of knowledge in real-life situations.

1. Read and Take Notes Simultaneously

Taking notes while reading is not just about writing down the quotes that impress you. It involves selecting important information, recording key points, and creating a system that can be easily reused. This note-taking process helps you organize your thoughts coherently, improve memory retention, and more importantly, allows you to view the subject from multiple perspectives.

KTGA has found that, to take effective notes, it is essential to apply specific methods when writing. Colored pens can be a powerful tool to categorize information. For example, using red to write down main ideas, blue to note supplementary details or important quotes. This will help you easily differentiate elements in the book, clarifying the structure and connections between ideas.

The way you write when taking notes is also important. For effective note-taking, KTGA recommends that you not just copy what you read verbatim but summarize the content in your own words. This not only helps you understand more clearly but also creates an opportunity to connect old and new knowledge, aiding long-term memory retention.

Practical Example:
Imagine you’re reading a book about personal development, and one chapter discusses the importance of daily habits. Instead of just copying a quote, you would also note the reasons why this habit is important, tips for building good habits, and how to apply it in real life. This helps you not only grasp the theory but also apply it immediately in your work and life.

2. Analyze and Reflect Through Notes

When you take notes, you are not just recording information; you are engaging in a process of analysis and reflection. This is an essential part of developing thinking skills. After noting down an idea, KTGA usually pauses to ask: “Does this really apply to me?” or “Why did the author say that?” Write down these thoughts in your notes because they help broaden understanding and develop critical thinking.

How to Do It:
After noting down a section, you can add a small paragraph below your notes where you record your thoughts and feelings about the issue. This helps you not only absorb the knowledge but also make connections between different ideas. Over time, you will notice that these reflections will allow you to perceive issues more deeply.

Practical Example:
If you’re reading about communication skills and come across the quote, “Listening is the key to deeply connecting with others,” you don’t just note the quote but also write a short personal reflection on why you think listening is important. You might also add a real-life example of a time when you failed to listen in a conversation. This will help you internalize and remember the message from the book.

3. Mind Mapping for Note-Taking

Mind mapping is a powerful tool for taking notes, helping you organize information logically and easily visualize the relationships between ideas. Instead of simply noting information in a linear fashion, mind mapping allows you to draw branches and connect ideas, creating a comprehensive view of the book’s content. This method is very effective for developing thinking skills as it forces you to link ideas and organize information creatively.

How to Do It:
When reading a book, KTGA usually starts by drawing the main keyword in the center of the page and then creates branches to record related ideas, supporting information, or examples. This helps you see the big picture of what’s being presented in the book, rather than just absorbing isolated ideas.

Practical Example:
If you are reading a book on time management, you might draw a mind map with “Time Management” as the main theme in the center. The branches might include “Planning,” “Prioritizing Tasks,” “Minimizing Distractions,” and each branch would have smaller points explaining how to implement these strategies. This mind map not only helps you understand the strategies but also shows how they are connected and support each other.

4. Highlighting and Marking Key Points

Another way to take effective notes is by underlining, bolding, or marking important keywords or standout quotes in the book. This helps you quickly revisit essential points without re-reading the entire book.

How to Do It:
When reading, KTGA uses a highlighter pen to mark important points. For example, when reading about emotional management, KTGA would highlight sentences related to emotional control techniques such as “breathing techniques,” “self-awareness,” or “separating emotions from actions.” Later, when revisiting the book, KTGA can easily find the key points without spending too much time searching.

Practical Example:
If you’re reading a book on creative thinking, you might highlight valuable creative methods such as “brainstorming,” “mindfulness,” or “thinking differently.” Each time you return to the book, these marked sections will help you quickly recall the methods and even try to apply them to your creative work.

5. Relating to Real-Life Situations

Finally, note-taking not only helps you retain knowledge but also provides an opportunity to connect what you learn to real-life situations. This not only helps you understand more deeply but also fosters creative thinking when you link theory to real-life circumstances.

How to Do It:
After taking notes from the book, try writing a small paragraph at the end of your notes, linking the theories from the book to your work, life, or even personal stories. This helps you reinforce the knowledge and apply it naturally to your real-life situations.

Practical Example:
When reading about stress management, you might record techniques to reduce stress such as meditation, exercise, or time management. Then, you could add how you will apply these techniques in your life, for example, by committing to meditate for 10 minutes each morning before starting your workday.

Through note-taking, you not only absorb knowledge but also develop critical thinking skills, the ability to apply knowledge, and create creative connections from what you learn