Reading consists of two phases: consumption and digestion.
To retain and use knowledge, you must properly digest what you consume.
Memorizing everything you read shouldn’t be the goal—understanding should.
We remember the essence of a book so we can apply, analyze, evaluate, and even create something new.
Not all information is equal.
Poor learning methods make remembering:
Harder
More time-consuming
Less effective
The PACER Method: Categorize & Digest Information
We process information into 5 categories (PACER) to store it in long-term memory.
Our memory operates in three layers:
Sensory memory (fleeting impressions) → Forgotten quickly.
Short-term memory (words, names, numbers) → Limited storage.
Long-term memory (concepts, meaning) → Retained through understanding.
1. P – Procedural Information
What it is: Step-by-step instructions (e.g., coding, languages, photography).
How to learn: Practice immediately.
Learning without doing is pointless. Example: You can’t learn photography just by reading—you must take photos.
Key insight:
90% of consumed info is forgotten.
Digestion > Consumption. Focus on quality (deep processing) over quantity (mindless reading).
2. A – Analogous Information
What it is: Knowledge connected to prior understanding (e.g., “leading lines” in landscape photography).
How to learn: Critique & contextualize.
Ask: When does this apply? When doesn’t it?
Example: “Leading lines” work for paths/streams but not for forests/lakes.
Why it sticks: Your brain anchors new info to existing knowledge.
3. C – Conceptual Information
What it is: Theories, facts, and systems (e.g., engineering principles).
How to learn: Mapping (connecting ideas across domains).
Example: An automation engineer studies medicine, satellites, and robotics to design an artificial heart.
Key mindset:
Beginners may feel overwhelmed, but expertise grows through applied learning.
Always ask: How can I use this? Useless knowledge fades fast.
4. E – Evidence Information
What it is: Proof that supports conceptual claims (e.g., accident reports validating traffic rules).
How to learn: Store & rehearse.
Store: Write it down (e.g., “Didn’t stop at red light → collision”).
Rehearse: Ask:
How do I apply this? (Stop at red lights.)
What concept does this reinforce? (Traffic safety.)
Why does this matter? (Prevent accidents.)
5. R – Reference Information
What it is: Specific, unchanging details (e.g., mathematical constants, medical terms).
How to learn: Store & drill.
Store: Take notes.
Rehearse: Use flashcards for recall.
Key Takeaways
Balance consumption and digestion. Fewer concepts deeply understood > volumes skimmed.
Not all knowledge is equal. Prioritize what’s actionable.
PACER organizes learning:
Procedural → Practice
Analogous → Critique
Conceptual → Map
Evidence → Store & Rehearse
Reference → Drill
What stays in your brain matters more than what goes in.
My Video: How to Remember Everything You Read https://youtu.be/LimAVySDrfQ
My Audio: https://divinesuccess.net/wp-content/uploads/2021/Podcast4/How-to-Remember-Everything-You-Read.mp3