编者按：康妮・卡尔普2008年接受面部移植手术，是美国首名"换脸"人。英国《每日邮报》26日刊登的对比照片显示，她如今脸部略呈四方形，稍显肿胀，皮肤也有些松弛，但比换脸前正常了许多。时隔3年，她已逐渐适应自己的新面孔，重拾勇气，向过去说再见。
用唇膏画出唇形，对卡尔普而言是具有里程碑意义的动作，因为换脸之前，给自己化妆是"不可能完成的任务"。Mitbbs.com
由于视力较差，卡尔普做很多日常工作都相当困难。但她坚持每天化妆，因为化妆能让她外出时敢于"抬起头"。Mitbbs.com
卡尔普常做的一项练习是用嘴唇夹住一支牙刷、保持尽量长的时间。"这是我要达成的小小目标……微笑也挺难，这是另一个目标。"Mitbbs.com
"这不是我的脸，但我为自己有一张脸而感恩。"她说。Mitbbs.com
卡尔普如今与两个孩子及孙辈一起生活，今年5月与丈夫汤姆正式离婚。谈起前夫对自己造成难以愈合的伤害时，卡尔普说："我仍然爱他，或许因为他是我孩子的父亲，我会一直爱他，但我无法待在他身边。"Mitbbs.com
如今，卡尔普的面部各项功能逐渐恢复，生活能够自理。尽管术后恢复相当顺利，但她需终身服用抗排异药物，承受患致命并发症的风险。为此，一名护士每周三次前往她家探视检查。Mitbbs.com
"孩子们看见我会叫我'魔鬼'，他们是孩子，可他们的话让我沮丧。"她说，"为战胜沮丧，我总是看生活中的积极面。"Mitbbs.com
卡尔普现年48岁，住在俄亥俄州联合港市。2004年9月，她当时的丈夫汤姆・卡尔普用霰弹枪向她面部射击，致使她丧失一只眼睛、鼻子和上颚，无法正常呼吸和进食。Mitbbs.com
2008年12月，俄亥俄州克利夫兰诊所利用一名故去女心脏病患者的脸为卡尔普实施面部移植手术。手术用了22个小时。医生们先用大约9小时取下捐献者的大部分脸，包括下眼部分、鼻子、脸颊、下颌，然后移植到卡尔普脸上。Mitbbs.com
换脸面积占整个面部的80%，医生换掉了皮肤、脸部上部和中部的所有肌肉、上嘴唇、鼻子和鼻窦、包括牙齿在内的上颚以及面部神经，卡尔普只有上眼睑、前额、下嘴唇和下颌未做手术移植
导读：
生活之中不如意十有八九，如果消极对待，只会让事情更加糟糕，只有积极乐观的态度才能帮你度过一切难关。
Life certainly has its fair share of ups and downs, but if you tend to focus too much on the negative, it can affect everything you do. By seeing the glass as half full, you'll not only make your day-to-day experiences more enjoyable, but also improve your health (a recent Harvard study found that optimists have lower blood pressure levels, heart disease rates and more). Luckily you're not doomed to a life of glum and gloom—you can actually change your outlook for the better. Read on for nine easy ways to stay on the brighter side of life.
1. Acknowledge what you're grateful for. 学会对生活感恩
One very important component of optimism is gratitude. In fact, a 2003 study published in the Journal of Personality and Social Psychology found that there is a strong connection between a grateful attitude and a heightened sense of well-being. Appreciate all the positives in your life by starting a gratitude journal in order to remember what you're thankful for. "I carry a small notebook in my purse and jot down moments of good in my life," says veteran broadcast journalist Deborah Norville, author of Thank You Power. "When I look back at the entries, seeing the words rekindles the good feelings that prompted me to enter them in the first place." By remembering the pleasant things in your life, you can actually turn a negative attitude around.
2. Fake happiness until you feel it. 在失意的时候伪装快乐
Feeling down? Instead of moping around waiting for the universe to throw you a bone, try acting like you're happy—even if you aren't. "The brain can be influenced top down and bottom up to make changes," says Mark C. Brown, PhD, psychologist and author of the upcoming Live Like a Window, Work Like a Mirror. He explains that a genuine smile and a forced smile will cause the same chemical reactions in your brain, so you can actually fool your mind into feeling better by making it react chemically as if things were going well. "So act in an optimistic way—smile, laugh, tell a joke or reassure yourself that everything is good—even if you don't feel it."
3. Evaluate the good in your life. 每天写几件你生活中的乐事
It's easy to focus on the bad events when they occur, looking at them from all angles in order to find out what went wrong. However, doing the opposite actually helps you become more optimistic. In 2005, Martin Seligman, PhD, a psychology professor at the University of Pennsylvania, published a study in which he asked a group of people to complete the "Three Good Things" exercise. Every night for six months, participants wrote down three things that went well that day, along with explanations for why they happened. At the end of the study the participants were happier and less depressed than when they started. The idea is that by forcing yourself to think about why good things occur—"My presentation at work went well because I spent a lot of time preparing for it"—you'll start to see your life in a more positive way, helping you to be more optimistic about your future.
4. Be mindful of your surroundings. 将注意力集中在你的生活中正在发生的事上，别为过去忧伤，也别为将来担心
You don't have to break out the love beads or enroll in a yoga class to practice mindfulness; it simply means being aware of what's going on around you as well as what you're thinking. "Often, things that sap our positive outlook and energy are either remnants from the past or worries about the future," says motivational speaker and happiness expert Valerie Sheppard. "Being present with what is, rather than what was or what might be, helps us feel confident and cheerful in the here-and-now." But how do you do it? Rather than trying to change the way you feel because it's "bad," simply acknowledge it and move on. So, instead of thinking "I feel so stressed out and need to stop right now," think, "I feel stressed out and that's OK." Or, try focusing on something in your immediate surroundings, whether that's your breathing or the pretty scenery outside your office window. By focusing your attention on something else, this will stop you from feeling badly about, well, feeling badly.
5. Turn off the news… …and turn on something more uplifting, like the National Geographic Channel. 少看新闻，多看看《人与自然》之类的节目
Though you may think that vigilantly keeping up with the latest events is simply informing you, it may also be bringing you down. "The more we immerse ourselves in doom-and-gloom sermons, the more we succumb to their energy," says Sheppard. "Trade in the things that raise your fear and frustration for alternatives that elevate your hopefulness and inspiration."
6. Counter every negative with a positive. 不顺的时候多想想生活中的好时光
Every time you stumble upon a roadblock, challenge yourself to think of something good that's happening as well. "People tend to think in an either-or way: If you're stuck in traffic, then everything else must be going horribly too," says Anne Parker, a wellness counselor at Miraval Resort & Spa in Tucson, Arizona. By blowing negative events out of proportion, you're setting yourself up for feeling down all day. "Instead, acknowledge that you're stuck in traffic, but also bring to mind something good, like the beautiful scenery outside the window, the interesting radio show you’re listening to or a hug from your child that morning." That way, you'll get in the habit of forbidding negative circumstances from blanketing your whole day, and you'll learn to see them as just one small part of an otherwise good day.
7. Focus on small goals instead of big ones. 多为自己制定一些易实现的短期目标，努力实现它们
Pledging to lose 20 pounds or run a marathon seem like goals that will lead to happiness, except that people have a tendency to beat themselves up if they struggle to obtain them. "It's our natural tendency to focus on what we haven't accomplished instead of what we have," says Parker. Major life goals take time to achieve, so by focusing on not having accomplished them yet, you will start to feel down on yourself-and may even end up throwing in the towel, causing your outlook on life to worsen. However, if you focus on the small milestones that occur along the way, you will feel positive about your progress, which will give you the momentum to keep going. "If your goal is to lose 20 pounds, know that you have to do it one pound at a time. Instead of beating yourself up for still being overweight, despite weeks of dieting and exercise, congratulate yourself for dropping three pounds."
8. Help someone in need. 帮助需要帮助的人
Want to give your attitude a boost? Try making someone else's day better. A report by UnitedHealthcare and VolunteerMatch found that volunteers are 72% more likely to characterize themselves as optimistic compared with non-volunteers. Plus, 89% of volunteers say that volunteering has improved their sense of well-being, and 92% say that it enriches their sense of purpose in life. Find a way to give back near you by visiting VolunteerMatch.org or the Volunteers of America website.
9. Decide to be happy every day. 下定决心开心度过每一天
Many of us don't think about needing to have a positive outlook when things are going well—it's only when we're stressed out or in a foul mood that we wish we could press the "optimism button." But, according to Dr. Brown, the ideal moment to make a conscious decision to be happy is at the start of your day. "Each morning, while you're still in bed, say and repeat statements like, 'This is going to be a good day' or 'I’m looking forward to this day because…' The best time to do this is when you're relaxed and your mind is unencumbered by concerns or anxiety." By beginning your morning on the right foot, you can program your mind to be more optimistic all day long.
Do you know how to be happy? Or are you waiting for happiness to find you? Despite what the fairy tales depict, happiness doesn't appear by magic. It's not even something that happens to you. It's something you can cultivate. So, what are you waiting for? Start discovering how to be happy.
Only 10 percent or so of the variation in people's reports of happiness can be explained by differences in their circumstances. The bulk of what determines happiness is your personality and — more modifiable — your thoughts and behaviors. So, yes, you can learn how to be happy — or at least happier.
Although you may have thought, as many people do, that happiness comes from being born rich or beautiful or living a stress-free life, the reality is that those things don't confer lasting happiness. Indeed, how to be happy can't be boiled down to one thing. Happiness is the sum of your life choices. People who are happy seem to intuitively know this, and their lives are built on the following pillars:
The good news is that your choices, thoughts and actions can influence your level of happiness. It's not as easy as flipping a switch, but you can turn up your happiness level. Here's how to get started on the path to creating a happier you.
Surround yourself with happy people. Being around people who are content buoys your own mood. And by being happy yourself, you give something back to those around you.
Friends and family help you celebrate life's successes and support you in difficult times. Although it's easy to take friends and family for granted, these relationships need nurturing. Build up your emotional account with kind words and actions. Be careful and gracious with critique. Let people know that you appreciate what they do for you or even just that you're glad they're part of your life.
Gratitude is more than saying thank you. It's a sense of wonder, appreciation and, yes, thankfulness for life. It's easy to go through life without recognizing your good fortune. Often, it takes a serious illness or other tragic event to jolt people into appreciating the good things in their lives. Don't wait for something like that to happen to you.
Make a commitment to practice gratitude. Each day identify at least one thing that enriches your life. When you find yourself thinking an ungrateful thought, try substituting a grateful one. For example, replace "my sister forgot my birthday" with "my sister has always been there for me in tough times." Let gratitude be the last thought before you go off to sleep. Let gratitude also be your first thought when you wake up in the morning.
Develop the habit of seeing the positive side of things. You needn't become a Pollyanna — after all, bad things do happen, and it would be silly to pretend otherwise. But you don't have to let the negatives color your whole outlook on life. Remember that what is right about you almost always trumps what is wrong about you.
If you're not an optimistic person by nature, it may take time for you to change your pessimistic thinking. Start by recognizing negative thoughts as you have them. Then take a step back and ask yourself these key questions:
People who strive to meet a goal or fulfill a mission — whether it's growing a garden, caring for children or finding one's spirituality — are happier than those who don't have such aspirations. Having a goal provides a sense of purpose, bolsters self-esteem and brings people together. What your goal is doesn't matter as much as whether the process of working toward it is meaningful to you. Try to align your daily activities with the long-term meaning and purpose of your life. Research studies suggest that relationships provide the strongest meaning and purpose to your life. So cultivate meaningful relationships.
Are you engaged in something you love? If not, ask yourself these questions to discover how you can find your purpose:
Don't postpone joy waiting for a day when your life is less busy or less stressful. That day may never come. Instead, look for opportunities to savor the small pleasures of everyday life. Focus on the positives in the present moment. Don't spend your time rehashing the past or worrying about the future. Take time to stop and smell the flowers.
豁达的人，处在困境能够安忍，处在顺遂乐于助人，处在疑惑找出答案，无论何境，都能为生命找到出路，因此能随遇而安，随缘生活，随喜而作，随心欢喜。想要豁达，有以上四点方法。
有一句话说：「成熟的人不问过去，聪明的人不问现在，豁达的人不问未来。」心胸开阔的人，把握当下，心里没有半点障碍，人生任何处境，都能面对处之。如何才能豁达呢？以下四点：
第一、发财不如发心：《劝发菩提心文》：「入道要门，发心为首。」发心，是肯定自己的力量。从发心中，可以拥有无尽的财宝。发心工作，会获得成就感，你努力付出，也会增加升迁的机会；发心研读，能读出学问的趣味，智能知识愈来愈广博；发心修行，内心多一层体悟，自然多一份自在。世间的财富，会有用光的一天，发心的财宝取之不尽，用之不竭。
第二、改运不如改心：俗话说：「乌鸦的声音不改，飞到哪里里都不受欢迎。」一个人如果心念不正，看什么都是歪的。如果不想被命运束缚，就要改变自己的心念，把污秽的心，改为清净的心，把邪恶的念头，改为纯正的念头；改掉情绪化的脾气，改掉逞强好斗的个性，运气自然会好转起来。
第三、治世不如治心：社会上有环保问题、经济问题、民生问题、治安问题、青少年问题……种种问题层出不穷。面对这些社会的沉痼，有人希望用严刑峻罚，有人希望用种种条规约束，这都还是治标不治本。真正的问题出在人心，从人的自私、嫉妒、�恚、邪恶的心治起，大家的心治好了，这些问题就会有所解决。
第四、救人不如救心：有一则〈中山狼〉的故事，叙述东郭先生救了一匹狼，反而差点被狼吃掉，比喻不从心救，纵使救活，�还是不离旧习。该如何救人呢？贫穷的人，要帮助他有谋生的能力；懒惰的人，要激发他奋发向上的力量；苦闷的人，要帮助他建立正向的人生观。救了他的心，他的人生就跟著提升了。
三伏天，禅院的草地枯黄了一大片。“快撒点草种子吧！好难看哪！”小和尚说。“等天凉了。”
师傅挥挥手：“随时！”
中秋，师傅买了一包草籽，叫小和尚去播种。
秋风起，草籽边撒、边飘。“不好了！好多种子都被吹飞了。”小和尚喊。
“没关系，吹走的多半是空的，撒下去也发不了芽。”师傅说：“随性！”
撒完种子，跟着就飞来几只小鸟啄食。“要命了！种子都被鸟吃了！”小和尚急得跳脚。
“没关系！种子多吃不完！”师傅说：“随遇！”
半夜一阵骤雨，小和尚早晨冲进禅房：“师傅！这下真完了！好多草籽被雨水冲走了！”
“冲到哪儿，就在哪儿发！”师傅说：“随缘！”
一个星期过去了。原本光秃秃的地面，居然长出许多清翠的草苗。一些原来没有播种的角落，也泛出了绿意。
小和尚高兴的直拍手。
师傅点头：“随喜！”
随不是跟随，是顺其自然，不怨怼、不躁进、不过度、不强求。
随不是随便，是把握机缘，不悲观、不刻板、不慌乱、不忘形。
不要幻想生活总是那么圆圆满满，也不要幻想在生活的四季中享受所有的春天，每个人的一生都注定要跋涉沟沟坎坎，品尝苦涩与无奈，经历挫折与失意。
在漫漫旅途中，失意并不可怕，受挫也无需忧伤。只要心中的信念没有萎缩，只要自己的季节没有严冬，即使风凄厉冷，即使大雪纷飞。艰难险阻是人生对你另一种形式的馈赠，坑坑洼洼也是对你意志的磨砺和考验。落英在晚春凋零，来年又灿烂一片；黄叶在秋风中飘落，春天又焕发出勃勃生机。这何尝不是一种达观，一种洒脱，一份人生的成熟，一份人情的练达。
这种洒脱人生，不是玩世不恭，更不是自暴自弃，洒脱是一种思想上的轻松，洒脱是一种目光的朝前。有洒脱才不会终日郁郁寡欢，有洒脱才不觉人生活得太累。
懂得了这一点，我们才不至于对生活求全责备，才不会在生活受挫之后彷徨失意。
懂得了这一点，我们才能挺起刚劲的脊梁，披着温柔的阳光，找到充满希望的起点。
一个人的性格，往往在大胆中蕴含了鲁莽，在谨慎中伴随着犹豫，在聪明中体现了狡猾，在固执中折映出坚强，羞怯会成为一种美好的温柔，暴躁会表现一种力量与激情、但无论如何，豁达，对于任何人，都会赋予他们一种完美的色彩。
一般认为，豁达是一种人生的态度，但从更深的层次看，豁达却是一种待人处事的思维方式。
Look back at the past month and consider: Have you been happy? Overall, how satisfied are you with your life? Take note of your answers, because they could predict your future health.
A study of nearly 10,000 people found that, 2 years later, those with higher rates of happiness and life satisfaction reported 50 percent better health and less long-term, limiting health conditions. Another long-term study of nuns discovered that those who wrote autobiographies reflecting happiness, love, and hope at a young age had a 2.5 times lower risk of dying early than their gloomier young counterparts.
"Happier people tend to be healthier," says David Sobel, MD, medical director of Health Education for Kaiser Permanente in Northern California. "Research now shows that people who express positive emotions like joy, cheerfulness, and enthusiasm are 22 percent less likely to develop heart disease over the next 10 years."
Dr. Sobel adds, "This doesn't mean they will never have heart attacks, but science proves that smiling and cheerfulness are linked to heart protection."
If there were a happiness pill, your doctor would surely prescribe it. Happier people are more successful at work, have better relationships, are more creative, and have fewer stress hormones. They also tend to have more energy, get more exercise, have better immune function, sleep better, and live longer.
In his book, Healthy Pleasures, Dr. Sobel writes that, "many of us believe our well-being depends almost solely upon success on the job; so we separate work from life and aim for wealth, status, power, and property."
But research shows that for most people, only about 10 percent of happiness comes from life circumstances. Upturns in work, money, marital status, and material goods are unlikely to bring long-term increased happiness.
"About 50 percent of what determines happiness appears to be genetic," says Dr. Sobel. "Some people are wired for cheerfulness, optimism, and joy, while others tend toward fearfulness, pessimism, and depression."
Studies of twins separated at birth suggest that we are born with a set point for happiness. Humans adapt quickly, so our set point stays about the same, with slight, temporary shifts following major events.
"The good news," says Dr. Sobel, "is that about 40 percent ofhappiness comes from things within our control: thoughts, feelings, moods, plans, and activities. It's the combined effect of often overlooked daily events that add up to more lasting happiness."
So indulge yourself in healthy pleasures—spend time in a garden, walk the dog, play on the floor with the kids, savor your food, or relax to your favorite music. And the holidays are a great time for activities with family and friends—make decorations, go to a musical event, take a winter walk.
"These small activities can momentarily boost your mood and enjoyment," says Dr. Sobel, "while adding up to more overall life satisfaction, happiness, and good health."
Choose enjoyable activities that fit your personality and offer variety. When an activity feels good, continue to adjust the "when, where, how, and with whom" to keep it fresh.
Except for the very poor, more money usually doesn't bring lasting happiness. Studies show that very wealthy people are only slightly happier than blue-collar workers, and that happiness levels among Americans have stayed flat over the past 50 years while nationwide income levels have greatly increased.
"As income rises," says Dr. Sobel, "people tend to spend more time working and commuting and less time doing things they associate with greater happiness. One study did find that money can make you happier—if you give it away or spend it on someone else!"
"Momentary periods of sadness are a natural, healthy part of life," says Dr. Sobel. "We're not saying that you should never feel sad. The holidays can be especially difficult for some people."
But if sadness tips toward depression, it's time to ask for help. Signs of depression include feeling down or hopeless; changes in sleep, appetite, or energy level; and a loss of interest in activities, friends, or family for most of the day, on most days, for more than two weeks.
Here are some scientifically proven exercises that can help you increase happiness by changing actions, behaviors, and thoughts.
上帝没空来救你
有个人不小心掉进河里，惊慌失措地在水里边挣扎边大喊“救命”。拿破仑恰好打这里经过，他没有命令卫兵下水救人，而是果断地从贴身侍卫手里夺过一把枪，朝落水者附近区域连开数枪。奇迹发生了：听见枪响，落水者猛然一跃而起，迅速游上岸。
很显然，落水者并非没有能力自己游上岸，只是他的自救意识暂时丧失了，以致把自己的性命随便交给了别人，寄希望于有人能拉他上岸。
农夫的一头老驴掉进一口枯井里，农夫绞尽脑汁想办法救老驴，然而几个小时过去了，老驴还在井底痛苦地哀嚎着。农夫无计可施之下决定放弃，他想这头老驴年纪大了，不值得大费周折把它救出来，不过无论如何，这口枯井还是得填起来。农夫请来左邻右舍帮忙将井里的老驴埋了，以免除它的痛苦。邻居们人手一把铁锹，开始将泥土铲进枯井。老驴意识到了自己的处境，哀嚎得更厉害了。出人意料的是，一会儿后它就安静下来了。农夫好奇地探头往井底一瞅，眼前的景象让他大吃一惊：当铲进井里的泥土落在老驴背上时，老驴的反应令人称奇一一它将泥土抖落在身下，然后站到泥土堆上面。就这样，老驴一点点升高，很快，它便接近了井口，在众人惊讶的表情中奋力一跃，跳出枯井，甩开蹄子撒起了欢儿。
生命的旅程中，我们难免会陷入“枯井”里，各式各样的“泥土”会倾倒在我们身上，从“枯井”里脱困的秘诀就是将“泥土”抖落在脚下，然后站到上面去。
全球有1300多万犹太人，虽然并非个个都是富商巨贾，但至少我们不会看到有流落街头、靠乞讨为生的犹太人。只要你是犹太人，哪怕身无分文去到异国他乡，如果当地有犹太人组织，你找到他们，你的吃饭问题就会立刻得到解决。当然，犹太人组织不是免费提供慈
善服务。
犹太人会很快找到一个愿意帮助落难者的犹太商人。假如他是一位鞋商，他会对落难的同胞说：“我这鞋店目前只在西边发展，这座城市的东边还没有分店。你就到东边去开分店吧，我借钱给你租店铺，赚到了钱再连本带利还给我。”
“一鸡三吃”是犹太民族的基本技能，即使在帮助落难同胞时，他们也会动起脑筋来思考怎样既帮助同胞，又帮助自己。
求神不如求人，求人不如求己。在苦难的深渊中，要做自己的救世主，不要妄想别人成为你的救命稻草。上帝他老人家很忙，没空来救你，能救你的，永远只有你自己。
(据《成功之路》李 愚／文)
It seems everyone has 7 secrets to success, and now someone has hopped on the 7-secrets bandwagon with something for PhD students. Thinkwell is an Australian company offering a seminar and associated work book on "The 7 secrets of highly successful PhD students". I bought the book out of curiosity, but "book" is a gross exaggeration — only eleven pages of fairly simplistic advice. I hope the seminar has more substance. For what it's worth, here are the so-called seven secrets.
If you can work out what is meant from those headings, you're doing better than me. After reading the "book", I think a better summary would be as follows.
Nothing too surprising there. Perhaps it should have been called "Seven obvious things PhD students should already know".
Havey's notes; the following is from the book title , and we can see more on explaining
The 7 Secrets of Highly Successful PhD Students
Rate yourself on the 7 secrets and work out what exactly you can do to improve your progress. Topics covered include dealing with your supervisor, writing, being realistic, and hanging in there when the going gets tough.
Table of contents:
* Care and maintenance of your supervisor
* Write and show as you go: This is show and tell not hide and seek
* Be realistic: It's not a Nobel Prize
* Say no to distractions: Even the fun ones and the ones you think you must do
* It's a job: That means working nine to five but you get holidays
* Get help: You are not an owner-operator single person business
* You can do it: A PhD is 90% persistence and 10% intelligence
我（软件工程师berlin）于2007年来到北京，在北京工作这些年，先后在NEC、风行、百度几家公司担任软件工程师的职务。NEC是一家具有百年历史的传统日企，在知春路的分公司叫日电电子，我们部门主要从事机顶盒、数字电视上嵌入式软件的研发。风行是一家成立于2005年的在线视频公司，主要做P2P视频点播的业务，而我主要从事P2P后台服务器的开发。百度是一家在纳斯达克上市的互联网公司，我主要在客户端部门的百度影音项目组从事P2P后台服务器开发。
这些年，在这些不同类型的公司的工作经验，教会了我很多东西，技能上的，做人做事上的；也让我收获了很多东西，例如志同道合的朋友们。作为员工，作为用户，最近有冲动回顾过往，并总结分享一下自己的经历、教训，希望对自己，以及互联网这个围城内外的朋友们有所帮助。
NEC岁月
外界对日企有很多误会，其中最大一个，恐怕就是认为日企都很变态，疯狂的加班，低廉的工资等。也许是第一份工作，NEC给我的整体印象不是变态，而是是温馨。入职培训时，公司的技术总监这样对我们说：不论你们在那个行业，都要争做这个行业的Number One！ 这句话，随时想到，都让我振奋不已。也许正是这样的勇气，才让NEC屹立百年不倒（虽然现在有些江河日下了）。入职培训时，还学习了很多社交礼仪，例如如何互换名片（把印有自己名字的名片，面向对方等），同期的学员，在当年合作了据称是有史以来最成功的春晚，而很多学员，以后的关系都还不错。
NEC的加班工资（晚上和周末加班都有法定工资）、弹性工作制（真正的弹性，早上8点到下午5点就可以下班）、出差补助（出差通常都会安排不错的酒店）、学习氛围浓厚（每周的日语课堂；每天中午15分钟的轮流演讲等）、每年一次的国内旅游（一般都有4个左右的目的地可供选择，2008年的旅游地是武夷山、庐山、苏杭等）、超多的假日（入职就有12天；法定节假日通常要多放一天假）、法定之外的个人保险办理，这些都很让人怀念。说起来，作为一家日企，还是非常人性化的。例如某个飘雪的冬天，公司为了照顾员工，特意允许下午4点全体职员下班回家。
都说大公司学做人。我在NEC学会的一个做人原则就是：不要不懂装懂，坦然承认自己不会的，然后努力去学习。不懂装懂的人不会在这个集体中得到尊重和认可。NEC的李San、凌San作为领导，对我这样初出校门、不谙世事的青年人提供了很多机会，他们的宽容让我至今难忘；而亦师亦友的刘San，是我所见过的真正的hacker，对技术的痴迷，给新手的帮助，以及天真的为人，让我钦佩又向往；才华横溢的小站、小张，作为同期学员，可是我心中追赶的目标和竞争对象；而老吕、华仔和我，则是最佳三人组，我们带头成立的饭团，当年就开风气之先，一时间部门饭团林立。
很多人都说NEC就像大学，但是大学就有毕业。很多人在学到差不多的时候，就选择了离开。因为作为一家日企分公司，业务严重依赖日方，而分配的业务，在我们一群年轻小伙看来，既没有挑战，也没有意义（没有用户）。没有激情，工资偏低，上升空间非常有限，这些恐怕是大家选择离开的主要原因。
风行岁月
在离开NEC之前，我、老吕、华仔三个曾想过做一个火车票订票系统。春运一票难求是众所皆知的问题，华仔用Perl写了个简单的爬虫，抓火车票网的倒票信息，很快就买到车票。以这个原型为起点，我们认为有大量用户，而定向抓取难度不大，因此开工。虽然这个计划，短期内就夭折了，原因很多，但给我印象深刻的是，在NEC，我是学习不到如何在互联网这个浪潮中，捞到属于自己的一桶金的。大多数离开NEC的人，都选择了如汤姆逊、T3G等同类型公司，而我，以及之后的华仔，都选择了互联网。
虽然还有其他选择，但到风行的理由很简单，风行所在的锦秋国际也在知春路上，离我住的地方很近。待遇虽然很一般，但毕竟让我迈入了互联网的大门。刚到风行时，风行的用户量是280万左右，离开时，有550万左右；离开半年后，用户量猛涨，有900万左右。作为一个软件工程师，维系一个百万人在线系统，还是颇有挑战的，尤其对我这样没有什么经验的人而言。
在风行的岁月，技能有了大幅度的上升，与此同时，兴趣也是多种多样。最有激情的时候，会在每天下班就打印一份技术文档，等公交车时，就在昏暗的灯光下学习，回家拔完饭就开始实践，从Linux系统/网络编程、到各种命令行工具、到网络协议研究、算法、开源项目，以及一些稀奇古怪乏人问津的东西（例如用LaTex写作文档、Metapost绘制矢量图、graphviz绘图）。计算机相关的书，不论温故知新的，如《Unix编程艺术》、《C++对象模型》，还是一见如故的，如《程序员的修炼之道》、《编程珠玑》、《Python源码剖析》、《卓有成效的程序员》、《敏捷软件开发》、《重构》，还是装饰书柜的，如《怎样解题》、《如何求解问题》等等，见一本买一本。多次搬家的痛苦，并没有消弱我购书与阅读的兴趣。
除了出自兴趣的自修，在工作上遇到的很多事情，例如流量异常分析、程序崩溃、用了很多时间才找到的bug、算法调优、运营学习、一时无法解决的问题等等，也都事无巨细的记录在案。再离开风行时，差不多积累了10万字左右的笔记。我记录笔记的方法，也比较原始，只用Vim+记事本，很少发到网上，因为是写给自己的，行文简单精炼，给其他人的话，就要修饰文辞、制作插图等，这是不同的价值。记笔记是个初级的习惯，只要强迫一段时间，就能让自己终身受益。我从风行记录到百度，经常都会翻出笔记，给同事发邮件，解释某个问题。
然而，兴趣驱动的学习，也是一把双刃剑，让你快乐，也让你痛苦。因为兴趣的泛滥（技术之外的诸多兴趣是技术兴趣本身的2倍以上），让我深陷困惑，不知道自己是否真的适合做技术；也正因为兴趣泛滥，所以真正精通，拿得出手的东西不多，或者说在任何一个领域，都不能做到Number One这样的自我期许。后来和公司的大Boss聊过我的困惑，但却终未释怀。此后不久，就离开风行，希望到一个更大的空间，看看这个世界。
当然，离开前，还是要浓墨重彩的说说我的那些朋友们。HZ是另一个亦师亦友的大拿，是他最先让我关注行业本身，而不是仅仅关注于技术。很多技术人员容易范的一个错，就是懂技术不懂行业。对行业的了解，意味着，要大量的使用这个行业已有的产品、了解他们的运行规律（例如Qvod的运作模式就明显和风行、PPS、奇艺、优酷不同），谁在用你的产品，怎么用的？以及非常重要的对统计数据的理解。另一个好友是HR，哦，HR不是Human Resources的缩写，而是他鼎鼎大名的缩写。说来HR大我有十来岁吧，虎背熊腰，中东恐怖分子的造型。每次公司出游，我们都住一间房（呵呵，莫误会，是标准间双人床），找人玩杀人，以及天南海北的瞎扯。HR最让我受不了的是他的磨叽和拖拉，最让我受得了的是我调侃和嘲讽他时毫不介意的风范。YZ是我在风行最强有力的竞争对手，年龄相仿，到公司也是前后脚，虽然他做客户端我做服务器，但当时风行研发也就二三十号人，YZ对工作本身的专注与一丝不苟，相比我的随意和三心二意，就形成了鲜明的对比，再加上此人精力旺盛，战斗力强劲，又是数学出身，因此一直是我追赶的对象。此外，公司的两位大Boss，罗总和唐总也对我关照有加，偶尔的对话，总让我事后深思许久。
总的来说，在风行比在NEC有了更大的成长，教训也更多，大概有这几点吧：
* 解决产品线上的实际问题，比学习新技术更重要。
* 帮助别人解决问题，是提高能力的捷径。所谓专家，就是在一个有限的领域里，把所有的错误都犯过一次。
* 拓展兴趣，坚持学习。不要囿于技术一隅。和提高技术能力同等重要的是，深入学习、理解你所在的行业。技术是为市场服务的，理解产业链的上下游、公司的运营方式、产品的赢利模式。这些"功夫在诗外"的努力，都有助于推进项目、改善产品、提高技能。
* 无知并不可笑。无知但又不去学习才可笑。
* 但管努力，莫问前程。不要浪费时间怨天尤人，攀比工资高低，争论物价房价涨跌。相信功不唐捐。
百度岁月
相比NEC、风行，在百度时光短暂，因此技能和交际的提高都很有限。但从战斗力这个层面上说，却有相当的长进。百度的产品线生命期相当短，如果短期内没有成效，就有被砍掉的风险。用百度一个VP的话来讲，就是"只认功劳，不认苦劳"。很多产品线都加班到相当晚，像百度影音这个产品线，我们组内的成员，很多人到了晚上12点，还在讨论问题和解决方案，还在改进产品，而这些都是自发，没有硬性规定的行为。在风行，我有不少时间是在为公为私的学习，但在百度，几乎没有时间可以腾出手来学习。当然，也许是和百度客户端在公司的处境相关。
虽然说百度的项目非常紧张，但还是有大量高质量的培训课程、教材、技术文档可以学习。尤其刚毕业的学生，在这种高压的环境下，能够得以快速成长。内部的BIT培训、公司和部门的各种讲座，以及com平台的资料，都会让渴望知识的人欣喜若狂。新发布的产品线，用户数很快就会激增到几万，十几万，几十万，百万，千万这个量级，对于希望挑战自己的人，是个好平台。在这里，个人的成功是和团队的成功绑定在一起的，因此大家都非常努力的朝着一个目标工作，至少在我们产品线是这样。
在百度最有成就感的事，就是坐在屏幕前，运指如飞的用Vim模式的命令行，管道连接一堆命令，背后站一群人，看你怎么分析日志，抓出异常。追踪异常，就如同侦探破案一般，把现场还原出来，找出是自己的程序搞鬼，还是有恶意用户。让你吐血的经历，就是最宝贵的财富。因为RD、QA、PM都非常专业，所以可以学习到各种不同层面的知识，要加以应用也很简单，只要你为产品线献谋献策，并实现它，就可以了，有大量的用户，会成为你的试金石。
结语
在百度的最后一段时间，我想也许我准备好了，可以独立行事。离职后，和曾经视为竞争对手的YZ以及几个朋友，开发一款叫做"淘奇桌面"的软件，目的是做软件、文档类的搜索。做了些时候，感觉困难重重，履步维艰。失败并不可怖，真正强悍的人不是没有失败的人，而是快速从失败中成长的人。不过，谁负谁胜出天知晓，回到自我总结的话中，就是，但管努力，莫问前程，事在人为，功不唐捐。
年轻的却是一笔最好的财富，而多数时候，我们不知道如何运用这笔最宝贵的财富，将之挥霍一空了。所有平凡的日子加起来，就将汇集成了你的一生。如果不希望平淡的生活下去，就要更加努力的去拼搏。找到自己的偶像，追赶他，榜样的力量是无穷的；找到自己的竞争对手加朋友，与之一起战斗，你能走多远，在于你和谁一起同行。虽然现实残酷，时常迷茫，不知所措，但我总提醒自己，要乐观的生活，也许，机会就在眼前。
我 研究这个主题大约也有四年多了，最近在读一书时，又把自己精力管理的体悟整理了一下。一方面觉得这些年来养成了不少好的 习惯，当然也有可以继续加强的地方，这篇文章就是这四年来精力管理的心得分享。分成饮食、运动及休息三大部分，欢迎指教。
（1）吃得好，人生变好
早晨起来，我会先喝一大杯水，就开始用一些轻量早餐，基本上就是一根香蕉，几粒坚果，这样就具备足够能量，身体也没有太大负担，因为消化食物也要用上许多能量。以下是要做好精力管理在饮食方面几个心得。
首先，要注意吃低升糖指数食物，水果、全麦面包、坚果等，降低胰岛素反应，份量不用太多，维持好接下来能量即可。
其次，要注意BMI值（计算公式: BMI = 体重(公斤) / 身高2(公尺2)），最佳数是在18.5≤BMI＜24
第三，吃东西的时候要很注意，每天有两个时候能量需求会提高，首先是刚睡醒时，其次是运动时。因此起床后一个小时要进食，运动前后两个小时左右各吃一顿富含碳水化合物的食物。
最后，不要间隔太久进食，每隔两到四个小时要吃点东西，每隔30到一小时要喝水， 吃得满足而不是饱胀，只吃三四个小时所需的食物量。
这几个饮食的原则看似简单，其实非常重要，这是我体验许久累积的心得，也提供大家参考。
（2）最强的兴奋剂，就是让身体动一动
长时间的会议或者搭乘飞机后为何会疲累不堪？因为身体好几个小时没有活动，坐着的时候，血液循环不良，和氧气一起聚集在浮肿的双脚中，流向臀部（我们最大的肌肉群）的血液也受阻，臀部也会疼痛。
─
我时常搭乘飞机，常常觉得很不舒服，原来是血液循环不佳。要让血液循环变好，最好的方法就是多运动，因此我搭乘飞机时常常藉着上厕所时做一些伸展运动，才不会将落后全身不舒服。出发前后也会洗澡，让整个身体清清爽爽，避免旅途的疲惫。
我已经过了40岁，深深觉得运动得重要，为了人生这场马拉松，我们列出了几个运动方面的建议，和大家分享
如果你是长时间坐在办公桌上，单单是从座位站起来，就能让新陈代谢增加一倍。就算是短距离的散步，也可以让卡路里燃烧增加一倍。所以下午茶时间记得要出去走走，这样可以加强生产力。
其次，每隔30─45分钟就要动一动，坐些缓和的动作，我常常会坐八段锦当做伸展运动；每隔45分─2小时，就应该要做散步、爬楼梯等动作较大的运动，我则是会去接送小孩上下学，或去才艺课，强迫自己出门，可以转换心情，又可以动一下。
第三，如果去健身房运动，是很有效率的。我要提醒大家，运动要有成效，要要求自己超越自己的”舒适区”，但不到痛苦的范围，也就是说要竭尽全力来面对运动这件事，而不是读小说，看电视。。另外，要做有氧、重量训练、伸展三种运动。
有氧运动合乎333，每周三次，每次30分钟，心跳到达130，运动间隔不要超过2天。
重量训练，一周两次，每次一到两组动作，持续8─12下，运动间隔3天之内。
伸展运动，每周3到5天，每次运动后作5到10分钟。
最后，没有时间运动，可以多爬楼梯，走路。
我去健身房的历史已经有一年半了，除了一开始变得比较有精力外，最近也把体重降低下来，真的非常感谢我的教练Chris的协助。人是一种动物，记得要多动，才能有充足的精力喔。
（3）休息是为了活得更有劲
我 是一个每天早起的人，于是乎有很多人在网路上询问我持续早起的秘诀，其实说穿了也很简单，只有两个。首先，早起之前一定要早睡，或是多睡，我自己工作时间 自由，所以常常是有点疲倦就睡觉，午睡那是一定要的；其次就是在网路和大家说早安， 一方面比较有趣，大家一起来早起，二来，早起的人积极，可以相互加油打气，累积能量。我也有几个休息的建议给大家参考。
休息其实和专注一样重要，有高品质的休息，才能有高品质的专注
睡眠要注意同一时间就寝，最好能有七个到八个半小时，能够午睡也很棒。
每隔90分钟做一次休息动作，用手机倒数计时来休息，约5到15分钟
很少人知道全力投入和高品质放松的交互使用，可以产生最佳能量管理效果，记得疲倦前就要休息，不然累坏了，要回到原来的精力水准要很麻烦，这样子更浪费时间。
结语
昨 天下午工作时，突然觉得有点腰痛，感觉是坐姿不良造成的，到了晚上，不大好移动，贴了撒隆趴斯，早上好了些，但还是隐隐作痛。这是我40岁的身体，虽然平 时还算健康，但是遇到病痛来时，一样不舒服。昨天听到一个朋友得了直肠癌，前天看到淑萍的文章，她得了”急性会厌软骨炎”,从生到死走了一圈，在更前一阵 子是了宝爹，心脏内感染了细菌，住院45天。
做好精力管理，除了做事的能力增强外，也增加我们面对无常的意志力，这是很重要的。
明天就要飞去深圳讲课了，大概是回来前最后一篇文章吧，7/2、3深圳场研习会，欢迎朋友们来参加。
印度诗人泰戈尔在他的诗中写到：如果你为失去太阳而哭泣，你也将失去星星。我们可否这样说——当我们失去太阳的时候，就去热情地拥抱星星吧！谁能够拥有星星，谁最后也能第一个拥有太阳。
经济学中讲过沉没成本的概念。沉没成本是指在经济活动中业已发生或承诺、无法回收的成本支出，比如因失误造成的不可收回的投资。沉没成本是一种历史成本，对现有决策而言是不可控成本，他对于当前行为或未来决策没有任何帮助。从这个意义上说，清醒和理智的人在决策时总是能够排除沉没成本的干扰。
由此我们可以这样认为，当一件失败的事情不可避免地发生之后，明智的人全当它没有发生。比如下棋，你可能下了一步臭棋，但这已属于“沉没成本”了，你就是再后悔也不不能挽回，你要做的不是埋怨自己走错了刚才的那步棋，你应该这样想，刚才的那步棋是有点臭，问题是现在如何走好下一步棋，再者，这一盘就是输掉了也没有太大的关系，下一盘用心下捞回来就是了。
英国前首相劳合・乔治有一个习惯：随手关上身后的门。有一天，乔治和朋友在院子里散步，他们每经过一扇门，乔治总是随手把门关上。“你有必要把这些门关上吗？”朋友很是纳闷。“哦，当然有必要。”乔治接着说，“我这一生都在关我身后的门。你知道，这是必须做的事情。当你关门时，也将过去的一切留在后面，不管是多么美好的成就，还是让人懊恼的失误，然后你才可以重新开始。”
从昨天的颠簸和风雨里走过来，我们的身上难免沾上世俗的尘土和霉气，心中也多少会留下一些酸楚的记忆，这是不可避免的。我们需要总结昨天的失误和教训，但我们不能对过去了的失误和不愉快耿耿于怀，因为伤感悔恨都不能改变过去，不能使你更聪明、更完美。如果总是背着沉重的怀旧包袱，为逝去的流年伤感不已，为昨天的失误捶胸顿足，那只会白白耗费眼前的大好时光，那也就等于放弃了现在和未来。
追悔过去，只能失掉现在；失掉现在，哪有未来！正如俗话所说：“为误了头一班火车而懊悔不已的人，肯定还会错过下一班火车。”
要想成为一个快乐成功的人，最重要的一点就是记得随手关上身后的门，学会将过去的错误、失误通通忘记，不要沉湎于懊恼、后悔之中，一直往前看，这时你会发现，我们伴随着每一天新的太阳重新诞生，每一天也都是我们新生命的灿烂开始。
A recent visitor to my site inquiring about speed reading asked, "How can I move away from actually saying the words, and learn how to identify the symbols?" The question demonstrates a knowledge of one of the difficult habits to overcome in learning to speed read - sub-vocalization. Sub-vocalization is seeing the words, then saying the words in your mind, then hearing the words, and finally understanding them. It is a four step process. Reading is defined as getting meaning from printed materials - seeing them, and creating understanding. Theoretically, reading should be only two steps. This article will give 7 tips to overcome and transform this process.
Sub-vocalization is heralded by most uninformed pundits as the primary block to slow reading. It is a difficult habit to overcome. Too often speed reading learners get too hung up in the beginning because they become so focused on this habit. It is a problem for speed reading depending on how you define speed reading. If someone currently reads at 250 wpm (words per minute), and then learns to read at 500 wpm, is that speed reading? If so, that is still a speed in which the spoken word can still be understood, but it is below the visual reading threshold which occurs at about 600 wpm. From my experience of using and training tens of thousands of learners, speed
reading occurs much faster than that.
Tip One - Get physical - learn to move the eyes more rapidly and fluidly over the print. All speed reading programs cover some sort of physical eye training. Unfortunately, most programs stop with the physical training, and that is one reason why speed reading programs often get negative reviews. Keep in mind the eyes are the mechanics in reading. Learning to move the eyes more fluidly and getting them unstuck from focusing on single words and phrases is very important to getting the mind to respond faster. You do need to see the words faster. But in the early stages, this can be unsettling. Know that you are making dramatic changes to your perceptual processing of
the material and stay focused and disciplined.
Tip Two: Since sub-vocalization occurs below 600 wpm, increase your rates far beyond that. In fact, you should consistently move at least twice that speed. Breaking sub-vocalization by fast practice is useful in stimulating the brain's nervous system in a way that is similar to driving a car. You might feel comfortable driving at 30 miles per hour.
Then you drive on the freeway. As you accelerate, you focus on controlling the car as you ramp up to 70 mph. After a couple hours you exit the freeway and slow back down 30 mph. It feels very, very slow. Training your eyes and brain to focus and understand at accelerated rates follows a similar principle.
Tip Three: Think about what you are seeing. After all, reading is a thinking skill. As your eyes are passing over all the words, think about what the material is about. Do not focus on saying to yourself, "Stop Sub-vocalizing!" Paying attention to your sub-vocalization and telling yourself to stop only interferes with any comprehension. Your mind will be thinking about the sub-vocalization, not the material.
Tip Four: Use multiple rapid exposures to the material. The brain has an incredible capacity to recognize patterns and relationships of visual symbols at extremely high rates. Seeing something very fast more than once leads to recognition and then comprehension.
Tip Five: Ask questions of the material as you pass over it. Questions have a powerful impact on the mind. Questions seek answers. Allow your mind to start stringing things together. Use any clues you get to start forming a mental picture of the material.
Tip Six: Monitor your thinking. If your mind is not responding to the material below, or in front of your eyes, notice what you are thinking about, and then bring it back to the material. Constantly ask yourself, "What is this about?" When you speed up the eyes moving over the material, the mind will naturally become more engaged until you get to an overload point. When that happens, combine the above tips. The experienced speed reader can read in almost any environment with precision concentration. He/she has full control of the mind's focus.
Tip Seven: Practice, practice, and practice some more. Overcoming sub-vocalization is a tough habit to beat. Your old ways will easily slip back until you remind yourself to behave in new ways. Don't "practice" in materials that are important for you fully understand and retain. Comprehension and retention are a separate part of the process. Use materials that are interesting to you, but you don't need to master. You can work on comprehension and recall after you've reached a level of some comfort with the basic mechanics.
Overcoming sub-vocalization is only part of the process. There are other strategies and tactics in learning speed reading, such as the comprehension process and building memory and recall. All the above tips should be done together. However, the goal of overcoming sub-vocalization is not to quiet the mind. You do not want your mind to go to sleep. You want to replace sub-vocalization with your mind's response to the print. A skilled speed reader's mind is very active. It's not sounding out the words verbatim in the order of the printed sentence, but rather, you are summarizing as you go.
1. Clarify your purpose. A good understanding of what you already know and what you need out of the reading is the key to reading comprehension.
2. Look at the front book cover. What information is the author giving you about the story? What does the title suggest? Why did she use this particular graphic on the cover?
3. Read familiar material. When you first learn to Speed Read, use books and articles on subjects you have some familiarity with or subjects you have come across before but havent reviewed recently. Later on, you can challenge yourself with new material.
4. Make Predications. Can you make any predictions about the story with the information youve already gathered?
5. What have the experts said about the book or author? Look at the back cover. What are the comments being made by critics whove read the book? What other clues can you pick up?
6. Read the Table of Contents. Its an outline of the book.
7. Make sure you review the glossary. If there are any terms that are unfamiliar to you memorize them.
8. Read the Introduction or Preface. It gives you a good idea of where the author wants to take you.
9. Preview the book to make sure its what you are looking for. Scan the headings and subheadings.
10. Read the topic sentences. Remember that the first and last sentences of a paragraph give you the essence of that paragraph, especially when reading non-fiction.
I was a Bible college student when one of our chapels featured a
guest speaker who taught us how to speed-read. At the time I didn't
need the skill since most collateral reading assignments in my courses
were under 500 pages, but I started practicing just for the fun of it
– sort of like a private parlor game. However all that changed when I
wound up in graduate school at Princeton Seminary and several Profs.
expected me to read several thousand pages of collateral along
with the five or six textbooks. That's when I got serious about speed
reading. Here is the collection of what I practiced then, and picked up
since. The first thing I had to do was toss away the reading myths I
had held so long.
Reading Myths
1. Reading is linear. I had always figured reading was
a linear process; you know, start up front and grind through to the
very end in the exact order it was printed in. Reading is no more
linear than thinking is, (or I eventually discovered, than writing; few
writers start at the beginning — indeed, they usually "write the first
part last."
2. True reading is word-for-word. I started as a kid
looking at individual letters. They didn't help much. Next I started
sounding out syllables. Finally, I could read whole words. Why stop
with words? Well, I know one reason… I had a college professor who made
us swear we had "Read every single word" of our collateral reading.
Why? He didn't make us swear we'd "read every single letter." The
answer is simple: that professor (like me) had never moved from
letters, syllables, and words, to reading phrases, sentences and
paragraphs. He assumed the only way to read thoroughly was by the
laborious method of reading one word at a time.
3. Reading is a laborious task which takes a long time. Not at all! Reading can be both fun and fast. Indeed, speed reading is like auto racing — it is far more exciting.
4. All parts of a book are of equal value. This myth
persists until you actually write your own book. Then, all at once you
realize there is "filler" material , illustrations, and even sometimes
whole chapters jammed into a book just because the publisher insisted.
Take messages for instance. Ever hear a message and wish you could put
it on fast forward over that long story illustrating a point you
already understand? Well, in reading you can fast forward.
5. Reading faster will reduce retention. Sorry. It
should be that way, shouldn't it? Those who groan slowly through a book
painstakingly sounding out every single word, maybe even moving their
lips, should get a greater reward shouldn't they? Sorry. In fact, speed
reading techniques will increase one's comprehension and retention.
Getting Ready to Read
So, we're ready to read. But don't read the book yet. There are a few steps to take first.
FIRST: ELIMINATE ALL DISTRACTIONS: Get rid of ANYthing
your mind could think about besides the reading material. Is there
conversation? Activity? TV? An uncomfortable seat? Music in the
background? (OK OK, I know many of my readers are college students who
claim they "study better" with music in the background. Go ahead and
claim it — but you are wrong. You might "like it" better, but you do
not study better. ANYthing which might occupy your mind waters down
your concentration — even occupying your "mind-in-background." Fool
yourself if you wish — but if you really are serious about reading
faster, eliminate distractions.
SECOND: Ask: What is my purpose? Why are you reading
this? And what kind of literature is it? Is it a classic or fiction
work you are reading for fun? Then, why hurry through it at all? Like a
leisurely meal, sit back and taste each bite — turn over the delicious
phrases in your mind. Or is collateral reading for a course where you
are must be familiar with the central notions? Then finding the notions
is why you are reading, right? Or maybe you are reading collateral
where you will be tested on the content? Or maybe collateral reading
where you will be required to say, "I read every single word?" Or is
this a book where you will be tested on the terms and dates therein?
Or, maybe you are just reading the book searching for some new ideas
for your own situation. Or you have to write a review. Or maybe you
plan to teach it to others. See how different your purpose might be for
each? Before you open the book, take a minute to state your purpose to
yourself. It will largely determine how you read the book from then on.
THIRD: Do a 10 minute PRE-READ. Take ten minutes or
less and pre-read the entire book. Go ahead and try this if you've
never done it before. Treat a book like a jigsaw puzzle. Dump it out,
then organize all the pieces first before putting it together. Read the
dust cover and any cover reviews. Then look through the author blurb.
Move to the Table of Contents and see if you can figure out the whole
book from this page. Page through the entire book, page by page and
glance through all summaries, tables, pull-out quotes,
diagrams(especially), and scan through all the section titles and you
go.
Chances are you'll find the KEY CHAPTER while you are doing this. Some publishers say (off the record, of course) "A book is simply one great chapter with a dozen other filler chapters." If this is so, find that chapter.
FOURTH: Read the KEY CHAPTER. Start using the rapid
reading techniques mentioned later to read this KEY CHAPTER through.
You are not obligated to wait until you have read all the chapters
before this one, as if you must eat your green beans before the ice
cream. The book is yours — go ahead and get the central idea before
you start!
Once you've read the key chapter you are ready to read the rest. In
order from the front to the back, or in some other order which better
suits your purpose. Now for some actual reading tips tips.
III. Rapid Reading Techniques
1. Raise your speed- comfort level. How comfortable
are you speeding in a car? How fast do you have to go before you feel
you are "on the edge?" 70 MPH? 90? 120? How about 210 MPH, the speed
the Indy car drivers can average? Get the point? Some people have
learned to drive faster; their comfort level has been raised. You can
do the same thing for reading. Face it, speed-reading isn't mostly
about technique; it is about mind set. Indeed this may be the reason
you can play a CD while reading — you are merely driving along at
25MPH. Can you imagine an Indy car driver playing music in the
background? No. The driver focuses all his or her skills on the track.
If you are out for a Sunday afternoon stroll in your book, then ignore
this. But if you are serious about becoming a speed-reader, then start
expecting more of yourself.
2. See the book as a mine full of ORE not GOLD. Books
offer wonderful gold to the prospector. But the reader must sort
through tons of ore to find and refine the gold. The speed reader
changes mindsets: quits fooling around with the ore and searches for
the gold. What is a book anyway? What are words? They are "carriers" of
truth, thoughts, ideas, a thesis, information, terms, concepts,
notions. One reads a book to get the message, not to obsess on the
words. (I'm tempted here to talk about Bible study, but we shall let it
pass this time.) Switch your mindset to looking for the gold.
3. Quit Subvocalizing. Most of us learned to read by
sounding out the words. The trouble is, most of us never stopped. Sure,
maybe we no longer audibly sound them out, or even move our lips, but
in our heads we are "reading to ourselves." We have learned to read by
Mouth-and-Ear. To become a speed reader one must discard this habit (or
at least reduce it) and adopt the eye-and-mind method. It is mostly a
matter of mind set. Instead of acting like the ear (even in one inside
your head) is the route to the mind, begin believing that the eye is
the gate to the mind. Start drinking in books through your eyes. Let
the books pass into the mind directly from the eye, skipping the mouth
and ears. Go ahead and start trying it.
4. Use your finger. For most beginning speed-readers
this is a shock. They remember reading in grade school with their
finger and assume it slows one down. Actually the finger is your pace
car. It leads you forward at a speedy pace, and keeps you on focus and
avoiding back-skipping. There are several ways to use your finger (or
hand) but just try it out for starters. As you improve, buy one of the
books on speed-reading and settle on the pattern which works best for
you.
5. Break the Back-skip habit. Most of us read along a
line of type like this one to get the interpretation of the meaning,
but as we read our eyes jump back to dwell on a word we just passed. We
do this without knowing it. In fact, probably the only way to discover
how many times you back skip is to have someone watch you read and
count the eye-darts back. But, unless you have someone you feel pretty
comfortable staring you in the face while you read, just trust me –
you probably back-skip. How to stop? First confess you do it. Then
start recognizing when you do it. Finally when tempted to back-skip,
treat the book like a movie — that is, even if you miss something in a
movie, you don't stop the video and replay it. You just let it flow on
through, hoping you'll make it up later.
6. Use your peripheral vision. Just like you must develop a
muscle in the gym, so your mind can be trained to use the eye-gate to
take in a broader amount of data. For instance, instead of reading left
to right across the lines, pretend there is a line right down the
middle of this page and you are following the line. Let your eye take
in through peripheral vision the phrases to the right or left. Can you
do it? With practice you can train your mind to read on "both sides of
the road" even though your eyes are on the center line. To practice
this skill most speed readers actually draw lines down pages of a book
until they have mastered the skill with an invisible line. Let your
mind drink in the information on the page without looking directly at
it — just like you "see" the sides of the road when driving an
automobile.
7. Learn to read KEY WORDS. 40-60% of the words on a
page are neither critical nor important. Indeed, if someone took
white-out and hid them from your sight, you could still figure out what
the paragraph was communicating. So, it stands to reason that if you
could figure out which are these KEY WORDS you could scan past the
other words and let your mind fill in the blank. Train your mind to
find these key words and you'll add even more speed to your reading.
8. Eliminate "Bus Stops" (Eye rests). As your eyes
read down this line they stop periodically and "rest" on a word.
Children's eyes often rest on every single word as they learn to read.
Then as you grow your eyes move smoothly down the line like a lawn
mower, then you stop a split second on a word, then start back up
again. Most reader never get over this habit, but like a bus stopping
at every corner, it slows down your progress. Try to reduce your eye
rests to 3-4 per line, maybe even less as you get better… keep the eye
moving smoothly line after line, letting your mind drink in the
knowledge on the line.
9. Take breaks. The research is clear. Steady reading
hour after hour is less efficient than taking a five minute break every
hour or less. Sit down to read 100 pages in the next hour. Set an alarm
even. Then reward yourself with a cookie or sandwich when you've
reached your goal in 60 minutes.
10. Set a time goal. Have a 300 page book to read?
Decide how fast you'll read it. If you are not a speedy reader, maybe
you'll only set the US average reading speed as your goal: one page a
minute (250 words/min.). Or if you are already an above average reader,
set 100 pages an hour and plunge in. If you picked 100 pages an hour,
that's 50 in a half hour, 17 per 10 minutes or 1.7 pages per minute.
Keep on track… pretend like you are in an auto race… push yourself,
concentrate, get yourself out there on the "racer's edge" — the line
just short of out-of-control, yet still in command. Do it; it will be
exciting!
IV Retention Techniques
1. Underline, circle, make margin notes. Not
highlighting the whole page like some students do! Usually you will not
mark more than two or three items per page, and many pages will have no
markings. Marking pages increases recall — do you have a marked-up
Bible? If you do, you can almost "see" the page in your head when
recalling it. Marking helps. (Highlighting may help — your own
markings, however, are probably superior).
2. Dog-ear important pages. In a 250 page book there
will probably be 25 pages worth dog-earing. Turn down the page to
return later. The bigger the dog-ear the more important the page. Most
books have only four or five half-page-dog ears.
3. Transfer key notes to front of book. Got a great
point here? The central message? The quote which essentially represents
the whole book? Write it down in the front of the book. Why? Generally
speaking when it comes to new information you either "Use it or lose it
in 20 minutes." When you discover it, flip the book open to the front
and scribble it down; it will cement the notion into your mind. Better
yet, link it to something you already know and write that down too.
Linked information can be recalled far better than isolated information.
4. When finished, re-read dog-eared pages. Just run back through and re-read the gold. Here is the essence of the book (if you made judgements right going through).
5. Now write an "abstract" in the back or front. You are
finished! Go for a pizza… but not just yet. Take a few more minutes and
write an "abstract" up front in your own words. When the writer
submitted the proposal for this book, he or she probably actually had a
single paragraph or page, outlining what this book was all about. To
summarize the book, simply "reverse engineer" the book back to the
author's abstract or thesis.
6. Consider drawing a "MindMap" of the contents. If
you are going to be tested on this book, get someone to teach you how
to use Tony Buzan's "Mind Map" to remember the entire book on a single
page. Remember, the mind mostly recalls ideas and pictures, not words.
A Mind Map will enable you to "picture" the whole book and you'll look
like you posses a "photographic" (which you really don't need, if you
simply follow the advice in this article).
7. But if you borrowed the book, and can't mark it,
dog-ear it, or otherwise "use" this took — then use 3M stickers
instead of dog-ears, and write your comments on half-sheets of paper as
you go.
Finally,
remember this: speed-reading is not some magical secret you can pick up
in ten minutes and Presto! You now can read 1000 words per minute.
True, you can learn to read faster; perhaps double your present
speed in two weeks. But to become a life-long rapid reader (like
becoming a proficient race car driver) takes time, concentration and
practice. This short article can get you started, but to really become
expert you'll need to practice plenty.
To help you develop this skill further try one of the many books on rapid reading. (You only need one to start with, most all articles (like this one) books and courses basically cover similar techniques.)
