In other words, speeding reading skills are a "horses for courses" skill. Invoke them at times when you need to read something really fast, but not when you don't need to.

Furthermore, as your retention rates are usually better with speed reading, it is often a good idea that you speed read at times when you have a special need to comprehend and retain information you are reading. If we go back to financial report/thriller novel example above, it is far more likely that comprehending and retaining information in financial report is going to be more beneficial to you, so utilize your speed reading skills at this time so that you can enhance your chances of comprehending and retaining text.

Finally, speed reading does not have to be a cumbersome, professional, skill. It is quite possible to enjoy your time speed reading something, in much same way as you would when reading a novel. To do this all you need do is create correct atmosphere in which to speed read. Eliminate all distractions, such as music and chat. Do a pre-read of materials: read index, headings and suadings. Then speed read text. Retain information. Utilize that information.

As you can see then, having ability to be able to speed read will allow you choice of reading faster, or slower. It's about having choices.

In short, it doesn't really matter what stage of your life you are at, ability to be able to speed read is an essential one.

Occasions when speed reading may not be beneficial

Having said that speed reading is an essential element no matter what stage you are at in your life, there are a number of circumstances under which it may not be overly beneficial to be able to speed read. These include:

* If you have a reading problem:

Speed reading techniques use cluster methods. This is to say, reader needs to group whole paragraphs together and skim read them. However, if a person has a reading disability that doesn't allow them to be able to process clustering of paragraphs easily, then this may result in a feeling of embarrassment, discomfort, or even slowness. In such circumstances, it is far better for confidence of reader if they resort to traditional methods of reading each word on page word-by-word.

* Age:

Care needs to be taken at what age a student starts to learn to speed read as certain clinical studies have shown that students who try to learn to speed read too early can be left with counterproductive problems - such as dyslexia. As such, it is not recommended that children below 10 learn to speed read.

* Comprehension:

In certain circumstances some readers who speed read are left with a loss of comprehension of reading material, rather than more. If this is case, then invoking speed reading skill may be counterproductive.

To sum it up, like most things in life, ability to speed read is something most of us should try to conquer, which is not to say that it is necessarily beneficial to all of us, nor that we should invoke it at all times.

Learn it and use it to your advantage, as and when is needed.