Here’s the quick-skim version of that article:
TL;DR
- Cut distractions and keep asking, “How will I use this?”
- Visualize what you read like a movie.
- Handwrite (don’t type) the key ideas.
- Actively mark up the book (symbols, notes, questions, sticky tabs).
- Apply at least one idea immediately.
- Teach the idea to someone else.
- Review on a spaced schedule (the author’s “Rule of 5”). (Read Medium articles with AI)
The 7 strategies, in one-liners
- Stop getting pulled away: Put the phone/laptop out of reach; keep your attention by hunting for “how to use this” lines. (Read Medium articles with AI)
- Pretend it’s a movie: Build mental scenes—our brains retain images better than abstractions. (Read Medium articles with AI)
- Handwrite interesting ideas: Writing forces you to compress and choose what matters, which boosts retention. (Read Medium articles with AI)
- Fully interact with the book: Highlight, add symbols (★, ?), margin notes, then sticky-note the best bits for fast refresh. (Read Medium articles with AI)
- Apply what you read: Memory follows action—change a habit or run a tiny experiment right away. (Read Medium articles with AI)
- Teach someone else: Explain the idea in your own words for 2–3 minutes; teaching cements memory (note: exact “pyramid” percentages are debated, but the teach-to-learn effect is well supported). (Read Medium articles with AI)
- Review with spacing (“Rule of 5”): 5 times on day 1 → once/day for 5 days → once/week for 5 weeks. (Read Medium articles with AI)
Context
The piece is by Vincent Carlos, published March 3, 2024, in Books Are Our Superpower on Medium (the link you shared is a Medium “baos.pub” mirror). (Books Are Our Superpower)
If you want, I can turn this into a one-page printable checklist or a tiny “Rule of 5” reminder plan for your next book.