Read with an Open Highlighter

Last year I blew my entire “professional development budget” from my prior employer on books. But what I quickly found was that my ability to focus on non-fiction in particular was pretty abysmal.

So I made a few changes;

1. Carry the book and a highlighter.
   I started carrying around my current book and always, always packed a highlighter.
   

2. Give up on speed-reading.
   I changed my aim from completion to retention. Highlight what stands out, and know that in 99% of cases you are adding to the value of the book should you pass it on to family or friends.
   

3. In your notes app of choice, create a new note per book.
   I created a new note in my phone for each book, and typed in my highlighted sections after I started to lose focus or momentum reading new material.
   📕 📙 📒 📗 📘 (I have a color-code, obviously.)
   

4. Bridge yourself back into reading mode by browsing your recent highlights.
   Whenever I sat down to read, I would first browse the highlights of the recent chapters. This would bridge me back into the subject matter and writing style with what I had already deemed the greatest hits & most interesting bits.
   

5. Instead of browsing feeds, read and add to old book notes from time to time.
   When I’m enjoying some brain-relaxing “rectangle time” on my phone, I pop open an old book note, reread the highlights, and add synthesis behind emojis.
   🤔 💡 🔗 (Thinking face for reflections, lightbulbs for brain-blasts, chain links for related ideas or article links.)
   

6. Share those notes and continue the conversation with friends.
   If useful, I then share these book journaling notes with friends, giving them access to read and edit, bounce their thoughts off mine, and asynchronously continue the conversation. The social pressure - the reality that I may end up sharing my notes with friends - helps me keep them organized and fresh. When your friend can read your thoughts, memories, and personal lessons that echo the reading material, it’s like a fast track to deeper connection and retention.