March 15, 2024
Have you ever found yourself reading multiple pages only to realize you’ve comprehended nothing?
You’re not alone.
I’m David, a speed reading and memory coach who has helped companies and CEOs improve their reading skills.
There are specific comprehension blockers that prevent us from retaining and understanding what we read.
Comprehension, at its core, is simply being able to grasp and understand an idea mentally.
In this article, we’ll explore the 9 comprehension blockers and the solutions to overcome them that could transform how you absorb information forever.
Comprehension Blockers
These 9 blockers are the exact reasons why so many people struggle to remember what they’ve read, even minutes after putting the book down.
Asking No Questions Before Reading
Before diving into a book, it’s essential to formulate questions—not just any questions, but ones you cannot answer on your own without reading the material.
These unanswered questions help activate your reticular activating system in your brain, priming you to seek out relevant information as you read.
No Emotion or Motivation
Many of us have associated reading with boredom due to our educational experiences where we were forced to read.
Now that we’re out of school, we need to retrain our brains to read books that genuinely excite us—whether they help grow our business, improve relationships, or enhance leadership skills.
That emotional charge is necessary for retaining and comprehending information.
Weak Memory
Both short-term and long-term memory affect your reading comprehension.
You need working memory to process what you’re reading in the moment, much like remembering digits in a phone number.
The more working memory you have, the more you can remember in the short term and eventually transfer to long-term memory.
Interestingly, simply reading more helps train your working memory.
Limited Vocabulary
Those in the top 10 percentile in vocabulary tend to also be in the top 10 percentile in income, according to Johnson O’Connor Research.
Look at successful individuals like Jeff Bezos and Elon Musk—they can effectively communicate with engineers, marketers, and sales professionals alike.
When you know a high percentage of commonly used words, you process text faster because you spend less time on each word, ultimately improving reading speed.
Lack of Creativity
More creative or “right-brained” individuals can make more connections with information compared to logical thinkers.
This ability to connect ideas enhances comprehension.
Being Too Logical/Left-Brain Oriented
Highly logical or “left-brain” readers may find comprehension more challenging.
I’ve observed that women tend to read more and faster than men because they are generally more right-brain oriented, emotional, intuitive, and better at seeing the bigger picture, while men typically process information in a more sequential, orderly fashion.
Slow Processing Speed
Your thinking speed directly impacts your reading and comprehension abilities.
When you read more, you can think faster and read faster. If you’re naturally a slower thinker, reading comprehension may be more difficult.
Building your vocabulary, as mentioned earlier, can help increase your processing speed.
Detail Mindset/Perfectionism
Getting caught up in details and perfectionism can hinder comprehension.
Let’s use the analogy of a light bulb—you don’t need to understand the intricate science behind it to use it effectively.
High-level comprehension is what matters most.
Perfectionists often think they need to read every individual sentence or page meticulously, but I teach “reading for results” that leads to action and practical benefits.
Thinking in Words Rather Than Visually
Many readers sound out words in their heads rather than processing information visually.
Becoming a visual reader can significantly improve comprehension and speed.
Research shows that people can comprehend words flashed at 1/500th of a second, demonstrating our capacity to read quickly when we process information visually rather than verbally.
Conclusion
Understanding these 9 comprehension blockers is the first step toward becoming a more effective reader.
By asking meaningful questions before reading, cultivating genuine interest in your material, strengthening your memory, expanding your vocabulary, embracing creativity, balancing logical thinking, improving processing speed, avoiding perfectionism, and developing visual reading skills, you can dramatically enhance your reading comprehension and retention.
Reading isn’t just about consuming information—it’s about reading for results that lead to meaningful action in your life.