Peripheral Vision: The Soft Focus Method for Speed Reading
Learn the Soft Focus Method to expand your peripheral vision and increase your words per minute. Stop reading word-by-word and master efficient speed reading.
Best quote from Peripheral Vision: The Soft Focus Method for Speed Reading
Peripheral vision actually processes information about 25% faster than our direct, central vision. When you learn to engage that side vision, you aren't just reading faster; you’re reading more efficiently because you’re reducing the number of times your eyes have to stop and start.
This audio lesson was created by a BeFreed community member
This lesson is part of the learning plan: 'Mastering Speed Reading and Accelerated Learning'. Lesson topic: Expanding Your Peripheral Vision Overview: Unlock the power of your peripheral view to reduce the number of stops your eyes make per line. Key insights to cover in order: 1. Soft focus vs. hard focus: reducing eye strain 2. The 'Indenting' technique to save time on margins 3. Exercises like 'Centered Text' and 'Shultz Tables' to widen your visual span
Frequently Asked Questions
The Soft Focus Method is a technique used to expand your peripheral vision while reading. Instead of focusing on words as individual bricks, this method allows you to see the whole wall of text. By training your eyes to stop making tiny, jerky jumps known as saccades, you can move past the limitations of word-by-word reading and significantly improve your overall reading efficiency and information processing.
Most people are limited to a baseline of 200 to 250 words per minute because they read at the speed of a typical conversation. This happens because we are taught to focus on one word at a time. By expanding your peripheral vision, you can overcome these invisible boundaries. This biological approach helps you process larger chunks of information at once, effectively updating your mental software for the modern world.
Saccades are the tiny, jerky jumps your eyes make as you move across a line of text. A typical reader makes about four stops per line, which slows down the reading process to the speed of human speech. Mastering speed reading involves understanding these eye movements and using techniques like the Soft Focus Method to reduce the number of stops, allowing for faster and more fluid information processing.
Discover more
read a book efficiently
read a book efficiently
This plan is essential for professionals and students overwhelmed by information who need to process high volumes of text without losing depth. It bridges the gap between fast reading and deep understanding, making it perfect for lifelong learners looking to maximize their cognitive ROI.
Boost reading depth, language & productivity
Boost reading depth, language & productivity
This plan is essential for professionals and lifelong learners who need to process vast information while maintaining high-level communication. It bridges the gap between speed reading and deep comprehension, making it ideal for those seeking to sharpen their intellectual edge and productivity.
Become better at focusing on a given task.
Become better at focusing on a given task.
In an era of constant digital interruptions, the ability to focus is a competitive advantage. This plan is designed for professionals and students who need to master deep work, mindfulness, and flow states to achieve high-level productivity.
How to focus
How to focus
In an era of constant digital noise, the ability to concentrate is a rare and valuable competitive advantage. This plan is designed for professionals and students who need to move beyond busywork to achieve high-level cognitive performance.
Focus, learn more, and stop doomscrolling.
Focus, learn more, and stop doomscrolling.
In an era of constant digital noise, the ability to protect your attention is a competitive advantage. This plan is designed for professionals and students struggling with information overload who want to transition from passive scrolling to active, high-impact learning.
I want to learn to read faster
I want to learn to read faster
In an era of information overload, the ability to process text quickly while maintaining high comprehension is a critical competitive advantage. This plan is designed for students, researchers, and professionals who need to master dense material in less time.
Sharpen focus & reading speed
Sharpen focus & reading speed
In an information-saturated world where the average professional reads hundreds of emails, reports, and articles weekly, the ability to focus deeply and process information quickly has become a critical competitive advantage. This learning plan is essential for students, professionals, researchers, and lifelong learners who need to consume vast amounts of content while retaining key insights and maintaining their cognitive edge in demanding environments.
Mastering Speed Reading and Accelerated Learning
Mastering Speed Reading and Accelerated Learning
This learning plan provides a comprehensive guide to increasing reading speed and information retention based on established speed reading workbooks and cognitive science research. It covers mechanical techniques like eliminating regression and subvocalization, visual strategies such as chunking and peripheral vision training, and advanced comprehension frameworks like SQR3 and active recall. The plan is organized to move from physical eye-movement mechanics to high-level strategic reading and long-term memory consolidation.
From Columbia University alumni built in San Francisco
"Instead of endless scrolling, I just hit play on BeFreed. It saves me so much time."
"I never knew where to start with nonfiction—BeFreed’s book lists turned into podcasts gave me a clear path."
"Perfect balance between learning and entertainment. Finished ‘Thinking, Fast and Slow’ on my commute this week."
"Crazy how much I learned while walking the dog. BeFreed = small habits → big gains."
"Reading used to feel like a chore. Now it’s just part of my lifestyle."
"Feels effortless compared to reading. I’ve finished 6 books this month already."
"BeFreed turned my guilty doomscrolling into something that feels productive and inspiring."
"BeFreed turned my commute into learning time. 20-min podcasts are perfect for finishing books I never had time for."
"BeFreed replaced my podcast queue. Imagine Spotify for books — that’s it. 🙌"
"It is great for me to learn something from the book without reading it."
"The themed book list podcasts help me connect ideas across authors—like a guided audio journey."
"Makes me feel smarter every time before going to work"
From Columbia University alumni built in San Francisco
"Instead of endless scrolling, I just hit play on BeFreed. It saves me so much time."
"I never knew where to start with nonfiction—BeFreed’s book lists turned into podcasts gave me a clear path."
"Perfect balance between learning and entertainment. Finished ‘Thinking, Fast and Slow’ on my commute this week."
"Crazy how much I learned while walking the dog. BeFreed = small habits → big gains."
"Reading used to feel like a chore. Now it’s just part of my lifestyle."
"Feels effortless compared to reading. I’ve finished 6 books this month already."
"BeFreed turned my guilty doomscrolling into something that feels productive and inspiring."
"BeFreed turned my commute into learning time. 20-min podcasts are perfect for finishing books I never had time for."
"BeFreed replaced my podcast queue. Imagine Spotify for books — that’s it. 🙌"
"It is great for me to learn something from the book without reading it."
"The themed book list podcasts help me connect ideas across authors—like a guided audio journey."
"Makes me feel smarter every time before going to work"
"Instead of endless scrolling, I just hit play on BeFreed. It saves me so much time."
"I never knew where to start with nonfiction—BeFreed’s book lists turned into podcasts gave me a clear path."
"Perfect balance between learning and entertainment. Finished ‘Thinking, Fast and Slow’ on my commute this week."
"Crazy how much I learned while walking the dog. BeFreed = small habits → big gains."
"Reading used to feel like a chore. Now it’s just part of my lifestyle."
"Feels effortless compared to reading. I’ve finished 6 books this month already."
"BeFreed turned my guilty doomscrolling into something that feels productive and inspiring."
"BeFreed turned my commute into learning time. 20-min podcasts are perfect for finishing books I never had time for."
"BeFreed replaced my podcast queue. Imagine Spotify for books — that’s it. 🙌"
"It is great for me to learn something from the book without reading it."
"The themed book list podcasts help me connect ideas across authors—like a guided audio journey."
"Makes me feel smarter every time before going to work"
"Instead of endless scrolling, I just hit play on BeFreed. It saves me so much time."
"I never knew where to start with nonfiction—BeFreed’s book lists turned into podcasts gave me a clear path."
"Perfect balance between learning and entertainment. Finished ‘Thinking, Fast and Slow’ on my commute this week."
"Crazy how much I learned while walking the dog. BeFreed = small habits → big gains."
"Reading used to feel like a chore. Now it’s just part of my lifestyle."
"Feels effortless compared to reading. I’ve finished 6 books this month already."
"BeFreed turned my guilty doomscrolling into something that feels productive and inspiring."
"BeFreed turned my commute into learning time. 20-min podcasts are perfect for finishing books I never had time for."
"BeFreed replaced my podcast queue. Imagine Spotify for books — that’s it. 🙌"
"It is great for me to learn something from the book without reading it."
"The themed book list podcasts help me connect ideas across authors—like a guided audio journey."
"Makes me feel smarter every time before going to work"
![[url_ea42fd1d:c0000] www.unitus.org/FULL/speedreading.pdf p1-1](/_next/image?url=https%3A%2F%2Fd1y2du6z1jfm9e.cloudfront.net%2Fassets%2Fpodcast%2Fblue.png&w=1024&q=50)
![[url_1d8a0818:c0000] www.regent.edu/admin/stusrv/student_dev/online_workshops/speedreading/lesson6.cfm p1-1](/_next/image?url=https%3A%2F%2Fd1y2du6z1jfm9e.cloudfront.net%2Fassets%2Fpodcast%2Fpurple.png&w=1024&q=50)
![[url_06ae7cef:c0001] libguides.cam.ac.uk/wolfsoncollege/speed-reading p1-1](/_next/image?url=https%3A%2F%2Fd1y2du6z1jfm9e.cloudfront.net%2Fassets%2Fpodcast%2Fyellow.png&w=1024&q=50)
