You’re Not Stupid: How to Quickly Understand Difficult Books

🧡 Looking to finally get control of your digital home? Here’s my video on how I organise my digital workspaces and your free link to try SigmaOS too: go.sigmaos.com/elizabeth
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To make your life easier:
0:00 Intro
0:51 Training Your Brain: The Shakespeare Technique
7:47 Training Your Focus: T is for Troll
10:29 Training Your Eyes: There’s No Going Back
As a huge fan of speed-reading (and listening, and watching, and talking), I’ve been practicing how to get through information quicker and quicker my whole life. While I’m pretty confident in my ability to skim through text super-fast, when it comes to actually understanding it, that is a different matter.
When speed-reading hard texts I’m limited by my tiredness, quickly drifting focus and ability to actually comprehend what is going on. Here’s how I train my brain, my focus and my eyes to overcome those problems, read and learn a lot quicker :)
How to Speed Read Difficult Books: Train Eyes, Brain & Focus
Remember What You Read: How To Memorise Hard Books in 3 Steps
The Speed Reading Technique That Will Quickly Improve Your Life
WHO AM I: I'm Elizabeth, a medical student, painter and Podcaster in London. I love to think and talk about life, art, medicine, books and meaning. And also how to find the time to do those things. If you'd like to watch me paint and talk about life, I do that on my podcast ( / @feelosophywithelizabe... ) and if you'd like to read my thoughts and book notes, I have a newsletter you can join (go.elizabethfilips.com/newsle....
👽 My Book on Organised Chaos: How to Succeed Without Habits or Consistency: lizziefilips.gumroad.com/l/krcnc
🧠 My Notion Templates to Work Better With Yourself: lizziefilips.gumroad.com
If you want to stay in touch:
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💻 My Website - www.elizabethfilips.com/
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Or leave a comment, I (try to) answer 100% of comments :)

[@elizabethfilips]

🧡Just wanted to add that here’s my video video walkthrough of how I organise my Macbook workspaces and your free link to try SigmaOS too: go.sigmaos.com/elizabeth

[@TheVexusKnight]

Will certainly give it a try

[@TheVexusKnight]

Update: Tried it - loved it. Thank you x

[@elyarpourakbar588]

Ive noticed your thumbnails has changed to more of Ai-ish style. Your Personal brand evolves aroudn authenticiy, this visual style kinnda contradicts. You can use Ai of course but it would be more authentic if you bring your own style. (which in my head is probably evovling something related to art, Europe, history, england, paintings). Maybe a user reaserch helps you (survey or form).🌹

[@joeking6972]

I always thought speed reading was bs how fast do you normally read?

[@hussainmallik3213]

Full in love with you 😢 Will you marry me 😅

[@carolinehaidar4644]

her voice is so soothing

[@marklambert4793]

Yes. She could definitely do hypnosis or ASMR videos.

[@isaacmelgueiro]

Her voice is very delightful

[@Uttam11425]

Not that soothing

[@arkalias3994]

As someone who constantly struggled with studying and being a great student, despite loving it so much, your videos are absolute God-send, Elizabeth! You've voiced so many thoughts and struggles I had throughout the years- but even better, you've provided solutions. Even this video. Now, I feel so much better at what I do. My esteem has increased, my systems and productivity have transformed drastically. Thank you so much for making lives easier by being boldly yourself!

[@ecospider5]

Good job finding information that helps you grow. She has been great for me too.

[@reneleroux4617]

Dear Elizabeth, I'm not even a student anymore. I am 64 years and absolutely devour all you very interesting videos, as well as thoroughly enjoying them. I just wish I had all of this, when I was studying. Through this I started studying things I'm really interested in and enjoy the "plays" I do in my head. My goal is to read 1 book per week through your methods, be it stories or facts. Please keep sharing your content. I know it is hard work, time consuming & lots of planning. I literally can not wait for the next sharing of your awesome content.❤

[@trastreator1664]

You have no idea how inspirational you are to me. I've discovered your channel this week and seen more than 20 videos. Please keep doing these fantastic videos.

[@suki7333]

Elizabeth, your editing is so crazy good. It would be so awesome if you were to do a video on how you edit etc. I think Ali has a tutorial for Final Cut Pro, but would really love to see how you do it as well.

[@testerfromleic]

I came to say what Suki said! The video effects are very nice indeed 😙🤌🏾

[@TheVexusKnight]

What's really interesting is this is a technique that I came across in the memory athlete world and worked on while teaching myself Italian as fast as possible. It's extremely malleable with some imagination and like a muscle, improves with time. You can create a story about anything and use it for even seemingly "sterile" topics like advanced mathematics or Italian grammar. I also like to blend in my drawing/illustration skills and also give the "plays" distinct locations which also tie into the meaning.

[@pdannysan13]

I think they also call it the Memory Palace technique

[@ItsAPotterParty]

I realised this concept quite literally THIS week while reading a large novel, now there's a whole video about it! Great video as always Elizabeth!

[@vaibhavi.singh.]

9:59 is an eye opener, thank you for pointing it out. PS - The videos are getting even better, I didn't think that was humanely possible but here we are. PPS - Book recommendations please!

[@goodfella9867]

I think you just changed my life and my approach to studying with the shakespeare technique, you are an angel for chaotic people!!! thank you for your hard work, it is so helpful!

[@edv_9]

I love how the principles you explained in previous videos (especially the ones from June of last year to now) keep reappearing in different and interesting ways.

[@jeffcarpenter9390]

This was a brilliant video and hit me right in the heart. I subvocalize everything, even this message, and I’m very excited to try this out! Xoxo

[@JunoMusonda]

Ahhh perfect timing! Working the midnight shift in the lab and currently practicing my speed reading. This is kind of eerie tbh

[@artehurso]

Very nice Elizabeth! Roughly speaking , it is speed reading with visualisation, what I believe is a bulletproof forgetting method. Using the theatrical kind of visualisation is a great idea because it becomes a template and you get better and better with time. I tend to use pop culture characters and their characteristic so I can make sure things stay in my head within one study session. However, for me, elaboration that kind of visualisation takes time. I feel like it depends on what you are reading, but for medical content, in general we have a certain template in what we need to understand: who, when, where, how, diagnosis and treatment. I tend to look for these answers in my text. Once I answer this, I mastered the basics and can work on it more, like visualisation methods to make sure it sticks. For self improvement books, I try to read fast, but I have to summarise every paragraph; the summarisation of the paragraph below is a summarisation of the summarisation of the paragraph above and adjacent combined, until I reach the end of that subject and make the final summarisation. I try to make it as small as possible (if physical books, you can use the margin). I do that, because different from my profession as a physician, I don’t want to revisit that self improvement book and usually they have so many good references that you can use later. I also make sure I understood in my own words, it takes more time indeed, but it is worth it.

[@nebula1oftheseven488]

This is honestly the only way I will study from now on, I usually end up studing like this before exams anyway. Intentionally doing this is a great idea 😊

[@Baharhasani-bk9ys]

seriously i couldnt be more thankful to anybody in my life. thank you for your absolute endeavor in explaining things in the clearest way possible, it shows that you want to genuinely help people with the same issues. we all appritiate you! ur the best💙

[@huntress4418]

I clicked as soon as I saw it! Thank you so much for your videos! It really helped me in my law school! Hope you helped more people!

[@Nirajk19]

I've been doing doing this Shakespeare technique since my early days of school and that's why I've been good at learning the complex topics. Liked to see the someone speak about it as many people I talked to had no idea about it. Learned some additional things from how you do it and also liked there's no going back. There's no going back is basically having a reason to understand which gives the importance to the topic, creates interest and is bit like solving a mystery, something we all love to do. Thanks for making this video Elizabeth.

[@actual_susu]

This is probably the most relatable perspective I've come across on this topic woww

[@berhamlatif7457]

This was completely new to me... and the last point you mentioned to the most counter-intuitive was hilarious and I think this would have been the number one reason why we procrastinate while studying... Thank you so much.

[@Baharhasani-bk9ys]

you dont know how much you have saved my life with these underrated tips!! now im seeing what ive been doing wrong for the past years. ily so much and i wish you're aware of how inspirational you are to so many people

[@amalitad6459]

This is sooo helpful. You have no idea how much I wanted these tips .. I'm a similar reader like you are and you are being a god sent helpful sister here for me . Thanks Eli❤

[@mansoor3159]

Elizabeth you are so so soooooo inspiring for me and I really really can't wait to watch this video💕💫

[@vaughnutube327]

Hey, Been watching your vids last few days and I just have to say that your really incredible ... your just full of hard earned wisdom and one can only be mesmerized by your take on things. Anyhow, thanks for putting your self out-there/sharing and all the best in whats to come.

[@whitewalker608]

11:32 WHAT A BIG BIG BIG BIG REVELATION TO ME! I study a lot of math and sometimes I don't go far enough and start going back again to analyze stuff which turns out to be time consuming. I SOMETIMES do what you said here and read till the end until something clicks but never consciously noticed it. Thanks for pointing this! Consciously knowing this would be a big time saver.

[@cheviotperformancecoaching2832]

Great video. For medical revision, i discovered over the years that i prefer to learn via questions. They prompt me to think and use pre-existing knowledge. More stimulating than reading dry textbooks from cover to cover. I can then dip in and out to read selected bits that i am less sure about

[@ayushisingh3591]

OMG!!! Your videos have really changed my life!! It has always been hard for me to read books due to my poor concentration, but the INSPIRATION you gave me.... SIMPLY AMAZINGGG!!!! 🤩🤩🤩🤩

[@saulziyech9710]

I just want to say, as a person who has seen a lot of content creators, you are a really good content creator. The way you try to make your videos both entertaining and educative at the same time, is genius. Plus the way you try to make sure to show your best features of your face is brilliant

[@dericknmillie]

Your videos are so well put together, and your teaching comes so naturally. You are highly enjoyable to watch.

[@nathanmclatchie7673]

Thank you for sharing your information on not going back once I’ve read something, it’s helped my technique a lot. I’ll be powering through, from now on. I’m only learning one subject, so it will help me get to the next book (keeping in mind I’m self learning.)

[@yordanosamare9793]

I definitely relate to those bad habit that make my reading hard. But I never take them seriously and try to find why I always have those problems. Thanks for pointing them out, explaining them in depth and of coarse your tips!🥰

[@justdevi]

My adhd brain could never be happier, elizabeth you're a gem!

[@MatthewNehrling1]

One tip I've found very useful as I'm back into grad school in my 40s is to order the instructor's version of the textbook. These include sidebar notes for instructors of the most important areas. It adds to the information but calls out the most important information.

[@bashbunni]

Ahh this is so incredibly valuable! Thank you so much for sharing your tips.

[@lorenarodriguezt2275]

I loved the phrase "How I caothically organize my things"

[@manaseetelaang328]

THIS WAS SO GOOD!!!

[@KaiiCarson]

Nice video Elizabeth thank you keep them coming!

[@kennethwilliams4169]

Just what I need Elizabeth!

[@apdurn]

What a gorgeous video 😍✨

[@mobsy3433]

I stumbled upon your channel today and instantly became captivated by your content. I wanted to extend my heartfelt congratulations not only for your innovative techniques and discoveries but also for the exceptional content you generously share with us. Your remarkable editing skills are worth applauding as well. I really think you are incredible and I am sure that you will be extremely famous very shortly for this content. All the best of luck to you ! As an avid viewer, I'm thoroughly engrossed by your content and narration. However, while I would like to express my support for the advertisements you include in your videos as I understand that they play a crucial role in supporting your channel financially, I wanted to offer some feedback regarding their placement. It's unfortunate that most of these ads interrupt your compelling delivery mid-sentence. Perhaps there's a way to consider placing them between two segments of your videos to enhance the overall viewing experience.

[@Mordiell]

Love the editing, you have improved so much! The pitch sounded very different to me in this one tho, very awkward to listen.

[@animegodz6981]

Never heard of your channel until yesterday when I saw your "You dont hate reading" video in a creators ad for Nebula and was super interested, so typed it into my search bar, and boom here I am, with 12 videos qued. Also idk if its weird but when I speed read, most of the time I just insert myself into the text as a character, turning informational points such as scenery descriptions into actual memories of places i've been, for example 3 mins into your video, I turned into a doctor in an ambulance measuring blood pressure with a doppler. It becomes much easier with story based text but still works with informational ones as well. This weird method also allows me to remember aspects of a text with shocking detail, because I'm basically implanting a memory into my head. Sorry for the weird tangent, Just wanted to say, love the Videos so far, and I look forward to catching up.

[@rowellwalo1633]

I relate when i forgot something I'm always go back 😅. Thank you for the tips. I'm glad that i found your channel 🙂

[@AnnaLiuban]

I like the examples in this video. Simplifying and visualising is the key to reading better, I guess. That's what I'll be working on starting today.

[@flowting5163]

This is very informative, I love it!

[@davechristian6048]

Always very knowledgeable Elizabeth thanks for this

[@alliceson6464]

I love your channel so much!

[@thomasmathews4592]

I listened to a podcast a while ago where the guest had worked with indigenous tribes in the Amazon, and he described their way of thinking about animals in the same way. Each species was described in terms of human character traits: shy, grumpy, whatever. This allowed them to build up quite a complex model of the whole ecosystem that they could use to predict the behaviour of the animals etc. A very similar idea to this "Shakespeare technique". It is always interesting to see the way people are able to map different cognitive tasks onto completely different neural circuits, and think about abstract things like this using social circuits, or maybe spacially, or analytically, or visually, or anything else.

[@aniqaejaz6101]

Your voice your way of explaining and most importantly your edits are topp notch💕💕💕✨✨✨✨✨💕

[@saurabhchauhan3357]

A great video ,got to learn a lot of new stuff. Great editing.👍👍

[@FueledbyJohn]

Thank you for your tips, guidance, and advice. 🙂

[@Mustafa_Ünal]

Another great video! ❤

[@Marie-ix6fs]

It’s so funny that this video popped up right when I had trouble understanding signal flow in my audio production class. I did the story thing and I understood signal flow a lot better.

[@3row4wy23]

i don't know if this is a conscious decision on your part, but thank you for talking a bit more slowly than before. it really helped me absorb what you were saying.

[@alejandrocuevasortega836]

thanks for all the tips Eli!! Also I'm impressed how fast you talk.

[@thebudiutomojournal]

Good afternoon from Indonesia, Elizabeth I am so intrigued on your Shakespeare Technique. Immediately I abandoned all of any KZbin home videos displayed on my screen. Good content, keep it.

[@Lifeismusic70]

Definitely taking your advice on this Eli 🤓

[@Brukta]

i love love love your videos!!!

[@antonboludo8886]

Excellent video by an outstanding individual.

[@asgharintertink]

So interesting as I have been using this reading pattern since I got the idea reading is a journey to explore the hidden meaning between the lines.

[@eustaquiozambrano2974]

Good speech as always. Thank you so much. Have a nice Day. 👍

[@Nox934]

Interesting tips! I've been reading like a critic for the last couple of years. Super important for reading history, writers jump to conclusions, make value judgements when it should be information focused, and say unsupported stuff all over haha.

[@imcarmen]

Elizabeth! I LOOOOVE your videos! Thank you for always sharing so much USEFUL tips to help those of us with chaotic minds!!! Sooo... you sounded different in this video? Did you slow it down? Because honestly, your (and Ali's) videos are the ONLY ones I don't have to speed up to watch and understand.... you literally speak in the speed my mind receives and process information. Hope all is well... thank you again for all you do!!! xo

[@TheFryedIScream]

ooo excited for this

[@judith6007]

Your intro are so well done 👏🏼😍

[@raoufallani5142]

Thank you great work

[@vanessaprincesssa]

I love this, Elizabeth!

[@woubishetbezuayehu4644]

Huge Thanks! ❤

[@omorfaruqakib965]

I love the last one!

[@henrypaulocoralsanchez3372]

Nice video, I practice English listen to you, continue doing amazing video.

[@saralopez7189]

Looove the thumbnail and the video ofc extremely helpful as always❤

[@bradmoore1247]

Omg! My brain works the same way! Thank you!!!!

[@pepejjgl]

Great lesson as always Liz. Wondering if your newsletter still work... Hope soon you can make another book recommendation list, I got some of your previous list and I had a good time with them.

[@linasaidwhat]

Great video!

[@VictoriaLehr]

OMG saaaaame!!!! With the tabs! That's exactly how I feel! I have usually multiple browser pages with over 50 tabs per XD I don't have the heart to close things and what if need it?! Yes there's bookmarks, but I'm less likely to click thru my bookmarks!!!

[@ecospider5]

Being hyper critical is such a great technique, it works for reading books and listening to lectures.

[@isalutfi]

Hi, thank you for sharing. Love ❤

[@meganchavis4000]

Great video! Love the study tips😊 Separate topic; I have been following your videos for a while now and I love how you add all the visuals. Being a visual learner myself and trying to get into the entrepreneurial space. How do you add those graphic animations to your videos to supplement the concept?

[@allison.garcia]

You are amazing!

[@waleedbdran999]

I respect you so much ❤

[@mmai2395]

Thanks from India. So very very important vlog for us students

[@TheJoseMTapia]

Thank you for this! ^_^

[@ScorpiosLifeLog]

You have just cured my habit of procrastination :P

[@SISIABBAS]

Thank you for sharing your tips, your videos are great and super helpful. Which video editing software would you recommend?

[@ashishlohkare2426]

this method will work but the brain had to do enormous amount of multi task that will drain your energy even more faster but by practice this will definitely work, thanks ❤

[@knutblaise9437]

Going back only when you have a question. Great idea!!!

[@bomb2060]

There is something good about the background music of this video. Am not sure what, but it's just nice.

[@mauriciohenao6590]

Gracias

[@ajuar_ecobranding]

you motivate me ☺

[@David-jb5dv]

this is good

[@JesusHasRisen1]

I'm having trouble focusing on anything but her beauty. My word.

[@davecostello8537]

Are you going to run a MUSE cohort again or would you be willing to do some consulting about your slip-box? I’m finishing up How to Take Smart notes and am very interested in your Zettelkasten.

[@Ploop615]

Where’s the background music from? I love hearing it in your videos and I’m really really curious about it

[@drcl7429]

I have always done this anthropomorphising technique since I was a kid. I just assumed everyone did. I don't really skip the internal dialogue, it sort of automatically gets translated and stored as mental visual images/movies as I read. When I explain things to other people I often do so in the same way and nobody ever said it was weird.

[@khalidibnamin5888]

Nice pronunciation and beauty speech of you, it's a Gog Gifted matter,

[@BLynn]

How about for those of us with Aphantasia? Other speed reading courses basically want you to see the text in your head & then speed over it. This method requires me to create a theatre in my mind which I am unable to do.

[@DewberryCream]

New sub 👍

[@pablobarrera3943]

Hi there superb vid

[@user-vw7vy8hi8r]

Hi iwanna know how many words per minute you can read and how?

[@SCARRIOR]

It is all about imagination, you remember things you imagine 100x more than rote reading. For example, if you want to remember what the spanish carried in their galleons, you could just imagine the spices and gold crashing together during a storm, creating a beautiful image of red and gold on the floor of a wooden deck.