Some ideas that can help you to keep focus.
First before you even start reading the chapter consider what you want to do with the information. Take time to imagine yourself using it in the future. Get an idea of what you think you need to know to be that future self in your imagination. When you do this a few times it happens in less than 30 seconds in the beginning this might take a couple of minutes. Don't spend more than 5 minutes at it.
Once you've decided on the outcome preview the chapter. Become familiar with the layout, style of writing and look at a few of the subheadings. Take only a minute or less if it's less than 10 pages no more than 2 minutes for longer chapters. You just want to look at the route you will be travelling at this time.
At this point PhotoReaders would PhotoRead the chapter/s or book and proceed with the PhotoReading system.
For everyone else.
Check if the chapter is going to satisfy your purpose (this is what gives you focus. Did you discover anything that prompts you to change your reason for reading the chapter. Is there possibly information that you could use better in another future setting? Remember future settings include exams.)
Now read the chapter as quickly as you can but don't worry about the bits you don't understand at this point. Create a general understanding of the chapter right now. Spend no more than 1 minute reading a page. So a 30 page chapter would take 30 minutes not more.
Take a break think about what you just read then consider those sections of the book you felt you didn't understand. Give them a re-read.
After that make notes, go to sections and re-read accordingly to build your mind map. You may find skim reading useful at this point. Then finish up with another quick one minute per page re-read.
Don't worry too much about an outline in most cases that has already been done by the author with subheadings. Use the subheading and turn them into questions and check in that section for the answers.
AlexK
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