Too many emails?

Every once in a while I get an "unsubscribe" request from someone who wants to be removed from my email list. I email my former students - and those who have signed up for newsletters at www.readfast.org - regularly with practice tips, notices of classes, etc. Anyone can unsubscribe at any time. The notices I get include the reason the person gave for unsubscribing and they range from "moved away" to "don't need any more help - thanks." That's all fine.

But I am always surprised when someone gives as the reason "too many emails." Wait a minute! Aren't you applying your speed reading skills to everything you read? Some folks go away from class thinking that these speed reading skills are just for books and articles. The reality is that these skills can usher in a whole new way of looking at the world if you let them.

Use them when looking at email, no matter how many you get. First, create folders in your email program for different categories of email. Have a folder for important stuff, one for moderately important, and one for "if I have time." The subject line tells you most of the time what you have to do and you can usually do lots of sorting that way. Many email programs like Outlook let you create "rules" so the sorting is done automatically.

After sorting, go to your "Important" folder and start reading, but apply the speed reading process! Use your pacer (pen, finger, or cursor) and Overview the email. Washing those words across your subconscious is important. Next, do a Gist read. Next, go for the remaining Details if you have to.
Use the process on everything - menus, captions at a museum, newspapers, magazines, assembly instructions, everything. This will dramatically accelerate your mind's acceptance of the new techniques and remove the conditioning from all the years you read the old way. Next thing you know, you are just glancing at paragraphs and understanding the meaning without using any process.

Like with anything, new skills and new life changes come with intention and practice. Practicing your speed reading is simple. Just use it with EVERYTHING you read!

Jackie