Category: Mind

dys·lex·i·a /dəsˈleksēə/

1. a general term for disorders that involve difficulty in learning to read or interpret words, letters, and other symbols, but that do not affect general intelligence.

Today I had to read a chapter in my textbook. The chapter is 44 pages. 44. Just let that sink in. That’s a lot of pages. For any student that is a big chunk but for this student its an act of congress. I am not sure why I am sharing this but I hope it may bring inspiration and perseverance for those who are dyslexic.

Y’all I used to hate reading. Reading in groups or alone. Reading wasn’t something I’d choose todo. I mean I was only grasping Junie B. Jones when I was in forth grade. But then in 8th grade I began to read the Percy Jackson Series and I was hooked. More about that later.

Now reading for fun still takes a lot of energy however reading a textbook is like a hiit workout or something. Today I am going to share a few things I do to successfully read my textbook.

1. When my chapters are 30+ pages I split it up. 15 pages one day and 15 the next. This makes the task a little more attainable. I may even split it into three days of 10 pages. Whatever I feel can help me be successful.
2. I use a half sheet of paper to cover text that I haven’t gotten to yet. This helps me not get overwhelmed by everything I have to read on the page.
3. Sometimes I read aloud. Personally reading out load is harder because I have a pronounce words correctly and it takes the wind out of me. However, I find that if I read in my head I can start to fake read aka looking at words but dreaming. So inevitably reading out load helps me process better.

In sharing these tips my goal is to authentically show what reading can feel like as someone who’s dyslexic, give tips on how to conquer reading a textbook and let other dyslexics out there know your not alone.

Wrote this post for my dad’s business. I hope you can find this helpful as well as encouraging. If you want to check out Warren Wandling click HERE.

With the new reality of the whole family working at home and the fact that I love to talk and share with those around me, I knew we were going to need to  put some parameters in place. If not for their sanity – to keep me in line.

Last summer I read 5 Gears by Jeremie Kubicek and Steve Cockram. This book helped me realize the importance of breaks, getting into the zone and the ease of communication. They wrote this strategy based off of the 5 gears in a manual car. While I may like driving an automatic,  in life it’s important to know how to shift work time and activities throughout your day.

To increase productivity and clearer communication in our new home office situation: 

1. We each get a poster that says Gear 5, Focus Mode and Gear 4, Task Mode. If Gear 5 is posted in a workplace, that means come back later, I’m in the zone.  With the Gear 4, others are invited to come into the room while working.
2. Each person has picked a special work space in house
3. Lunch time is planned
4. Everyone uses this simple communication tool
5. We choose laughter over fear.

Being at home doesn’t mean you can’t have a schedule and it doesn’t mean there has to be chaos. While it will take time to navigate a new normal we can use these strategies to ease us into this current situation.

No matter the age of your family you can utilize these techniques. If you have young or school aged kids, make a schedule that includes 1 or more chores, reading, using a math app. Be sure to include activities kids enjoy. This format can even be applied for you as a business man or woman. Make a schedule for yourself so that you can be productive and treat these work days 9-5, just as if you were going into the office.

Lastly, make your space enjoyable to work.

Let’s break through the odds and not let location stop productivity.

To get the Gear 5 and Gear 4 poster go over to my shop page where you can download them from Etsy.