Handling Information Overload

Day 1: Brain Skills, Fast Reading and Mind Mapping

• Thinking about reading - and challenging your existing assumptions

• Check current reading speed and understanding of the reading process

• How the brain works and its relevance for reading more effectively and remembering more

• The mechanics of how the eye works in tandem with the brain

• Breaking delusions: challenging beliefs and assumptions about reading

• Reading environment

• How to be a 'successful' reader

• Different approaches to note-making

• How to mind map

Day 2: Reading Strategies and Memory Systems

• Reading strategies: the theory

• Successful reading: increasing reading speed and effectiveness

• Reading practice

• Thinking about remembering

• Memory systems introduced (Memory magic?)

• Remembering numbers

• Using mind mapping to help you remember what you have read

• Review of skills learned

Day 3: Reading at Work, Memory Rhythms and Thinking in Groups

• More memory magic

• Different approaches for reading documents, textbooks, emails, and the web

• Getting control (how to read a book in a hurry)

• How we remember - and how we forget (and what to do about it!)

• Using mind mapping and reading strategies together

• Thinking and working in groups

• Project: mind mapping in teams

• Revision

Day 4: Time Management and Outcome Planning For Better Results

• Team mind mapping presentations

• Outcome planning for better results

• Better time management as a tool for handling information overload

• Reading: understanding an article and extracting key points

• Mind mapping software (e.g. Mind Manager, iMindMap, NovaMind)

• Mind mapping: when to use the software, when to use paper

• Developing listening skills as part of the note-making process

• Revision in context

Day 5: Problem Solving, Meetings and Planning for Success

• Putting it All Together: Your Toolkit for Handling Information Overload

• Reading, remembering

• Communicating in working life

• Preparing for and participating in meetings

• Reflective review (what have you learned and how can you apply it in the real world?)

• Planning for success and planning to practice