Ever sit down to read something important, get to the bottom of the page, and realize you can’t remember a single word?
You’re not alone. Most of us are terrible at retaining what we read – studies show we forget up to 90% of what we consume. But here’s the thing: the problem isn’t your brain. It’s your system.
Think about the last time you tried to learn something new. Maybe you highlighted important passages, took detailed notes, or read the same paragraph multiple times hoping it would stick. Despite your best efforts, most of that information probably slipped away within days.
This isn’t your fault. Our brains weren’t designed to process the amount of information we encounter in the digital age. We’re trying to drink from a fire hose, and most of the water is ending up on the ground.
Today I’m sharing a practical framework I’ve tested over 7 years that will help you remember and use what you read, even with ADHD or a divergent thinking style.
The Two-Stage Reading System:
- Consumption (taking in information)
- Digestion (processing what you’ve learned)
Most people focus only on consumption. They speed-read books, watch videos at 3x speed, and binge podcasts hoping to absorb more knowledge. But that’s not how learning works.
What matters isn’t how much goes into your brain – it’s how much stays there. Think of it like eating – if you consume more food than you can digest, you’ll get sick. The same applies to information. When you read without processing, mental “indigestion” leads to forgetting.
This brings us to the PACER system for categorizing information:
P – Procedural (how-to knowledge) Process: Practice immediately Example: Learning to code, following a tutorial, or mastering a new productivity app Key point: If you can’t practice right away, stop consuming and wait until you can
A – Analogous (connects to what you know) Process: Create and critique connections Example: Relating muscle contractions to swimming technique Key point: Ask yourself “What does this remind me of?” while reading
C – Conceptual (theories and principles) Process: Map relationships Example: Creating mind maps of interconnected ideas Key point: Knowledge isn’t linear – build networks, not lists
E – Evidence (supporting details) Process: Store and rehearse Example: Specific dates, statistics, or case studies that support concepts Key point: Don’t try to memorize these while reading – store them for later review
R – Reference (specific facts) Process: Store and review with flashcards Example: Mathematical constants, technical specifications, or precise definitions
Many of us fall into the “consumption trap” – reading more and more, hoping that volume will lead to retention. This is like trying to fill a leaky bucket by pouring in more water, instead of fixing the holes first.
Instead, try these practical steps:
- Before reading, decide which category the material falls into
- Choose the right processing method for that category
- Stop consuming when you don’t have time to process
- Set aside dedicated time for digestion
- Create a system for storing and organizing different types of information
This might feel unnatural at first. That’s good – it means you’re breaking out of ineffective habits. Your brain has biological limits on how much it can consume and store at once. Working with those limits (instead of fighting them) is the key to better retention.
The beauty of this system is its flexibility. You can adapt it based on your needs:
- Use digital tools like Obsidian for storing and linking information
- Create physical note cards for hands-on learning
- Combine methods based on your thinking style
- Scale up or down depending on the complexity of what you’re learning
A real example from my experience: When I was learning about note-taking systems, I identified it as mainly procedural knowledge. Instead of trying to read everything at once, I practiced each method immediately after learning it. This slowed down my reading pace but dramatically improved my retention and understanding.
Quick win for this week: Pick one book or article you need to read. Before starting, identify which PACER category it belongs to. Then set aside specific time for both consuming AND processing the material.
Remember: Learning isn’t about how fast you can read or how many books you finish. It’s about building useful knowledge you can actually apply. Start small, focus on quality over quantity, and trust the process.
I’d love to hear how this system works for you. Hit reply and let me know what insights or questions come up as you test it out.
Building better systems with you,
Tony