Am I really the only person who does this?

[Mickey'snewestfan]

I was at a workshop this week -- 3 full days. A bunch of people from my work attended.

When I got there I sat down and read through the handouts they gave us. Not every word, but enough to identify the main ideas, read anything that looked particularly interesting (case studies, sample forms etc . . . ), etc . . . I started thinking "how does this compare to what I'm already doing . . . " or "Does this make sense to me?" "What questions am I likely to have?"

Then the workshop started.

A lot of the workshop consisted of us brainstorming ways we saw X or Y in our organization, and then the presenter would "reveal" his framework, and show us how our thoughts fit into it and how it solves our problems. A very standard sequence, but every time I'm thinking "but of course all of us know that it's in the handouts." Then on day 2 they told us "don't read ahead, I want you to do this part not having seen the case studies."

So, when they asked for feedback I told them that day 2 was too late to tell us that because people will have read ahead.

Based on the reaction of my colleagues, and the presenter, apparently they don't. Apparently I'm the only person in my organization who does this, maybe on the planet (from their reaction). I've been doing this for the 20 years I've been working, and honestly just figured that lots of other people were too.

So am I the only person on the planet (or at least the DIS) who reads the handouts when they first sit down?

Note: the presenter suggested it's because I'm "Type A" but there were lots of people in the room way more Type A than me (I know, I work with them). I think it's more likely because I'm shy so I'm not using that time to socialize. It's also because I learn way better from reading than listening.

 

[NHdisneylover]

I always go through the handouts and read them right away. I don't think it is unusual at all. Now I am very curious to see the other answers--maybe I should have posted this on the freak flag thread, if I had only known it was a freak thing to do

 

[Tiger926]

I'm an English teacher, and I can assure you that most people don't read ahead. I constantly surrounded by dumb people, hurt people, late people, etc. who would not have half of the problems they have, had they read the instructions, rules or handouts they have in their possession. Just look at this board - I can't believe the amount of redundant posts, threads and responses that are generated on a daily basis; many of them in the same thread! People just don't read or comprehend what they read very well, and certainly the pre-reading that you engaged in, is not as common anymore either.

It's insulting to have someone say this Type A behaviour - it's amazing to me that laziness and procrastinating is the norm, yet those of us who actually prepare ourselves are Type A. Nope! I respect and honour the work that someone put into making the flyers, so I read them. Plus, as an English teacher, it's in my blood.

You do seem to be a dying breed of human though...oh, how I long for the good old days when humans knew how to read, write, make connections, listen, have foresight, and prepare themselves! And before anyone accuses me of being old fashioned and out of touch - I'm only in my 30s!

Tiger

 

[kamik86]

I always do this... it may be partially a shyness thing but it is also that I connect better with things if I had an overview before so I get more out of the lecture if I read something already. I will get even more out of the additional points in the reading if I read it again after the presentation.

I went to training on monday at work and did this with the handouts. I noticed about half the people read and half didn't. The half that read seemed to know less of the others in the class while the half that didn't was too busy talking.

 

[sunnyday123]

I do this all the time. In fact, when we have a meeting and handouts are given, the instructor will look right at me and say, "Don't read ahead!", simply because then I ask questions they say are going to be answered down the road. Which they aren't. And then I stop paying attention.....

 

[kimblebee]

I read ahead as well. I like to know what will be covered so I can think about how what I'm learning now will relate to the stuff we will learn.

 

[NMAmy]

I don't but most handouts at trainings/workshops that I attend are copies of the presenter's Powerpoint. If I read ahead then I'm bored out of my mind as the presenter goes through the same thing I've just read.

And, yes, I'd prefer to just get the Powerpoint and read it at my desk on my own but we're not allowed to do that for the most part.

It's not laziness or procrastination. I just don't see the point of reading something and then having someone else read it TO me with a lot of questions thrown in from other attendees.

 

[apirateslifeforme]

I do this...only because if you put something written in my hands, I can't resist reading it. I read EVERYTHING...even as a kid, I'd read the cereal box while eating my breakfast. I can't just sit there and do nothing and stare into space when there's something I could be reading.

And I don't think Type A has anything to do with it. I'm a Type B and I'd still read it

 

[NHdisneylover]

DD13 just asked what the thread was about. She is also a read ahead (or scan ahead and actually read during the presentation when it gets slow). She says if they do not want her to read it yet then they should not have handed it out. I guess she takes after her mother.

 

[Carly_Roach]

I was at a workshop this week -- 3 full days. A bunch of people from my work attended.

When I got there I sat down and read through the handouts they gave us. Not every word, but enough to identify the main ideas, read anything that looked particularly interesting (case studies, sample forms etc . . . ), etc . . . I started thinking "how does this compare to what I'm already doing . . . " or "Does this make sense to me?" "What questions am I likely to have?"

Then the workshop started.

A lot of the workshop consisted of us brainstorming ways we saw X or Y in our organization, and then the presenter would "reveal" his framework, and show us how our thoughts fit into it and how it solves our problems. A very standard sequence, but every time I'm thinking "but of course all of us know that it's in the handouts." Then on day 2 they told us "don't read ahead, I want you to do this part not having seen the case studies."

So, when they asked for feedback I told them that day 2 was too late to tell us that because people will have read ahead.

Based on the reaction of my colleagues, and the presenter, apparently they don't. Apparently I'm the only person in my organization who does this, maybe on the planet (from their reaction). I've been doing this for the 20 years I've been working, and honestly just figured that lots of other people were too.

So am I the only person on the planet (or at least the DIS) who reads the handouts when they first sit down?

Note: the presenter suggested it's because I'm "Type A" but there were lots of people in the room way more Type A than me (I know, I work with them). I think it's more likely because I'm shy so I'm not using that time to socialize. It's also because I learn way better from reading than listening.

Without reading the other responses so I won't be swayed, I can tell you that I also read the handouts at seminars and presentations before the presentation begins. There could be many reasons why we do this:

• Type A (like the presenter suggested)
• The desire to be prepared so as to get the most out of the presentation/seminar
• Setting a value on work before socialization

It could also be our age and/or the values we were raised with. I'm in my 40's and was raised with a 'work first, play later' ethic. If someone puts something in front of me, I'm going to read it. If I'm away at a seminar, I'm going to be spending my evenings in my room going over the material so as to get the most out of the seminar as possible rather than figuring out how many sights I can see and how late I can stay out drinking each evening.

This isn't to say that I wouldn't spend ANY time taking in the local color and attractions. But it seems that most of the younger people I travel with place a much higher priority on their off-time than they do on the reason they're there to begin with: learning the material. The older people I've travelled with (my age and above) seem to be more interested in discussing the material over dinner, getting to bed early and maybe getting in a round of golf in the morning if that's possible.

So to answer your question: no, you're not the only one who reads and absorbs the material before the seminar is presented. Unfortunately, it seems that presenters are rearranging their presentations for the attention-span challenged amongst us. We'll simply have to adjust our expectations down because that's always easier than them trying to adjust their realities up to the level that the more experienced are used to.

 

[NHdisneylover]

Without reading the other responses so I won't be swayed, I can tell you that I also read the handouts at seminars and presentations before the presentation begins. There could be many reasons why we do this:

• Type A (like the presenter suggested)
• The desire to be prepared so as to get the most out of the presentation/seminar
• Setting a value on work before socialization

It could also be our age and/or the values we were raised with. I'm in my 40's and was raised with a 'work first, play later' ethic. If someone puts something in front of me, I'm going to read it. If I'm away at a seminar, I'm going to be spending my evenings in my room going over the material so as to get the most out of the seminar as possible rather than figuring out how many sights I can see and how late I can stay out drinking each evening.
.

None of those are my (or DD's reason). We are like apirateslifeforme we can't help but read any written thing put in front of us

 

[Tinkermommy]

I do this...only because if you put something written in my hands, I can't resist reading it. I read EVERYTHING...even as a kid, I'd read the cereal box while eating my breakfast. I can't just sit there and do nothing and stare into space when there's something I could be reading.

And I don't think Type A has anything to do with it. I'm a Type B and I'd still read it

This is me as well. Even down to the cereal box and I would read it every morning even if I had read it for days.

I really dislike when they give you something and then say "don't read ahead". Then why give it to me?

 

[Carly_Roach]

None of those are my (or DD's reason). We are like apirateslifeforme we can't help but read any written thing put in front of us

Yeah, I'm the same way. But I think it was because I was brought up that way. It sounds like you were, too, and you're raising your DD the same way.

 

[GeorgeG]

I don't read everything beforehand, but I would read ahead during a presentation mostly because I always hated those seminars and the presenters would bore me to death. Those things are more motivational than informative, anyhow and the people presenting them usually don't have a clue about your job, but take the company's money with a smile, anyhow. I attended one that was supposed to promote team building and problem solving. At one session, they asked for feedback so I told them what they were suggesting was not going to work in a company that was actively pitting departments against each other in competition to keep their budgets down. They seemed annoyed with my comment, but the president of the company was also in that session and he agreed with me. The CEO wasn't happy with either of us.

 

[LilyWDW]

I'm sort of in the middle on this. I will not read the whole of the handouts before hand unless asked to. However, I will glance through it and take note of the main topics and any information that has been obviously made to be noticed.

 

[Missy1961]

I used to--but then after the 3rd or 4th one & being told not to, I stopped. it's hard for me--I read just about everything you give me. LOL.

 

[MM27]

I do this all the time at workshops, especially if it's a whole bound book. I'm a teacher and many times the presenter has good handouts that can be used in the classroom. I like to scan through and see if there's anything that interests me. I think it's better to do that before the person starts the workshop instead of during the workshop when the person is talking.

 

[Liberty Belle]

I'm like you and I think a few factors come into play. First, I don't love small talk. I love to chat with others, but usually not about things others tend to want to chat about and I often don't have the same interests.

Second, I like to be prepared. I'm not an idiot and I don't want to look like one should I be asked a question. Plus, if the speaker is good and doesn't just, basically just read the handout, I can learn more than if I hadn't read it.

Also, I tend to follow directions. I'm not one of those people who go to a conference, but spend their time socializing instead of doing what is asked of them.

And, I'm a cereal box reader, too. I don't care what the subject matter is, if there is something on front of me, I'm going to read it.

I've typed this out on my cell phone, so please excuse any errors. It's difficult to go back and edit.

ETA: I'm not Type A at all.

 

[cteddiesgirl]

Unless told specifically not to, I read all the handouts and instructions as soon as possible.

But, I'm also a reader. Always have been.

I think that people who tend to be readers tend to read ahead. Those that aren't readers, I think read only what they have to.

 

[FireDancer]

I won't sit and read word for word ahead but I will skim through the entire handout and might read in depth something that catches my eye so I know what is coming.

I think it helps a lot with context if you at least see an outline of the entire picture ahead of time.