Speed Reading Program - Facts You Need to Know About Speed Reader X

If you are looking into learning speed reading, you should have heard of the program Speed Reader X. This product has been in the market for a few years, and has been used as a teaching aid in some colleges and organizations. In this article, we are going to give you an honest review on whether or not the product is worth your investment. To get the most accurate data, we have even tried using the ticket system provided in the product web site, and have successfully got questions answered by Michael Ford, the creator of Speed Reader X.

Different Versions of Speed Reader X

The product was first launched in 2005, and it was only sold as CD version at that time. You have to wait for shipment of CD after you purchased it, and use the CD to install the software into your computer. According to Michael Ford, there are 10 lessons in the program, and average users can finish all the lessons in 30 days or less. They are supposed to have learnt the speed reading techniques after finishing the program, and can apply and practice whenever they read.

After the first version of Speed Reader X, there have been about 10 version upgrades. Each upgrade was said to have improvements on different areas, like usability, training results, etc. An extra bonus of 17,000 eBooks has also been added in the latest version, for user's reading practice. From what we observed, it looks like a quite mature software which has been tweaked over time.

The Online version was introduced in 2007, and was sold as an additional choice to the CD version. The Online version has no difference in content from the latest CD version, only that it added built-in audio introductions before each lesson. Customers of the Online version need not wait for CD shipment anymore (so they can save the shipment fee), and can start the lessons right away after paying. A few months ago, a new module called Ultra Mind Improvement Studio was added, and it is said to focus on comprehension training. It was sold as a combo bonus (said to be a limited time offer) together with the purchase of Speed Reader X Online version.

Feedbacks from the society

For feedbacks in the society, we found that the software has been used in some schools and organizations like Lousiana State University, US Golf Association, etc. From the product web site, there do have testimonials from some satisfied users. Some users said to have doubled or tripled their reading speed after finishing lesson 3, or something like that. The feedbacks seem to come from different levels of people ranging from students to professionals.

We have not tried out the program yet at the time this article is written, but we have to admit that we are really impressed by the fast response of their online ticket system. Since a week ago, we have been using the ticket system to raise questions on different aspects, and they can all be relevantly responded within several hours, some within 15 minutes.

Based on the facts above, we do think that Speed Reader X should be a good speed reading program to start learning with. Of course, there is no guarantee that you must be able to speed read after learning with the program (it can depend on different factors including personal factors), but it does provide a 60-day money back guarantee for satisfaction. From all we observed in terms of the product history, society feedbacks, support provided and product price, there is no doubt that Speed Reader X is worth a try.

For a complete review on different aspects or online access of the product, go to this web site now: Speed Reader X Review. You will find everything you need to know about this speed reading program.

Click here to visit: http://www.speedreaderxreview.com/

Anger Management For Teens - Self Help Steps to Control Your Emotions

Anger is unavoidable. Feelings of anger are triggered by factors in our environment and are accompanied by certain physiological reactions. Anger management focuses on the negative expression of these feelings. When one externalizes anger, one can mistreat the world around him.

Teenagers have a unique experience with anger. Adolescence is a major growth stage emotionally, socially and physically. Teenagers go through this stage without the benefit of a fully mature brain. Thus, their understanding and ability to self-regulate their emotions is often difficult. There are, however, several ways in which teenagers can gain better control of anger management. Managing anger involves becoming aware of the physiological "signals", such as blood pressure and heart rate, before the thinking part of the brain is bypassed and the action part of the brain is engaged. Following are some of the concepts I offer teens:

1. It takes 10 steps before you "lose" your temper. Here's an example: If I throw a ball to you, you catch it. However, if you were two-years-old, it might hit you in the face. Through trail and error, you have learned to lift your hands up, cup your hands, keep your eyes on the ball, bring your hands together at the right moment, press hard enough to keep the ball in your hands and suddenly you have caught the ball. This "catching the ball" technique took months or maybe years to master. In the same way, learning techniques to control your anger takes time to learn. Let's take a look at how we can break down the way we react in a situation to see how we might handle our anger differently: You ask your mom if you can go out while thinking to yourself: "She won't let me." You feel sick to your stomach, your heart races. You feel hot and angry and you're ready for a fight. A little too rudely, you ask your mom if you can go out. She responds to your tone of voice and says "no." You explode and scream, "I knew you were going to say that!" You go to your room and slam the door. You kick the bed and throw yourself down and think hateful thoughts. In order to begin to control your anger, you need to deconstruct your behavior and see all these "steps" you've gone through.
2. Prevention is the best medicine. If you understand step 1 and step 2 of your angry reaction, you can prevent steps 3, 4 and 5 from happening. Awareness is the key. Catching yourself before those other steps occur takes practice (like a child learning to catch a ball). You need to find a way to prevent yourself from going too far. In our example, from the moment you thought about asking your mom for permission to go out, you felt and behaved angrily. You need an alternative plan. One alternative during the early stages of anger is to pause and tell yourself, "I've got to break this pattern. Acting this way solves nothing. I don't feel good when I get distressed. I need to calm down and then cope with what I'm feeling." How do you do that? Take a deep breath. This allows you the opportunity to plan a different conversation with your mother. Use an external "reminder" to "stop, look, and listen" to different behavioral options. For instance, wearing a certain bracelet, ring or band can be a reminder for you that you need to stop long enough to consider the outcome of the path you are on.
3. Give yourself a break. Go outside for a bit. Take 10 deep breaths. Go to your room, lie down and listen to music. Write a page in your journal. Any of these techniques will allow you the "space" to talk yourself through the problem at hand. Like that child learning to catch the ball, it takes time to learn to control your behavior. In the event that you reach the point of losing your temper and expressing your anger, you need a plan as well. Some have found the following techniques as helpful at times like these: going for a run, punching a pillow, or throwing a ball. Screaming into your pillow can be more productive than screaming at your mother. These physical releases can produce a calmer state in which you can take a look at what led to the angry response and make a plan for the next time it happens.
4. Finally, write yourself a letter. Tell yourself the situations that trigger your anger. Describe the first steps as you move towards an angry outburst. Then, describe alternative plans for calming yourself and dealing reasonably with your anger. Give specific behavioral options that you've learned and calm you down at that stage. Also include plans for safe releases of your anger if it goes too far. This letter should be available at all times. Your own words can be your best coach when you feel circumstances getting out of control.

Laura Doerflinger, a licensed mental health counselor, is the Executive Director of the Parent Education Group at http://www.familyauthority.com and the author of the audio book, Emotionally Balanced Parenting

Copyright 2008 Parent Education Group - Reprints Accepted - Two links must be active in the bio.