In the fast-paced world of software development, continuous learning is not just a choice—it's a necessity. We devour books, articles, and tutorials, all in the quest to sharpen our skills and stay ahead of the curve.

But here's the challenge: how much of what we read actually sticks? How often do we finish a chapter or article, only to forget the key insights by the time we need them?

If you're like most developers, you probably find it frustrating to invest time in reading, only to struggle with retaining and applying that knowledge when you need it.

The truth is, reading alone isn't enough; it's how you process, remember, and utilize that information that leads to real growth.

My Strategy For Retaining And Applying Knowledge

As a developer, I’m constantly reading—books, articles, documentation—all in the pursuit of becoming better. But two years ago, I noticed a problem: I was forgetting most of what I read.

The insights that could help me write cleaner code, solve problems faster, or improve my productivity were slipping away before I had a chance to apply them.

That’s when I started working on Just Remind. It’s a tool designed to help me - and others - retain and revisit the key takeaways from everything I read, should it be books I read on my Kindle, or articles I read here on DEV.

It's very simple. When I read books on my Kindle, I highlight the key parts. When I read articles online, I use the Just Remind google chrome extension to capture the important insights.

All of these highlights are stored in my Just Remind library, and each day, I receive an email with a selection of these highlights to review.

Since using Just Remind, I’ve noticed a significant improvement in how I apply what I learn. It made me more efficient.

Conclusion: Make Your Reading Work for You

If you’ve ever found yourself forgetting valuable information, Just Remind might be the solution you’re looking for.

The ability to retain and apply knowledge is crucial for growth. Just reading isn’t enough; you need a strategy to ensure that valuable insights become part of your skill set.

By using Just Remind to highlight, store, and review key takeaways, I’ve turned my reading into a tool for real growth. It’s transformed how I work and learn, making every piece of information more actionable and impactful.

Are you struggling with the same issue? How do you ensure that the knowledge you gain from your reading truly sticks? Share your thoughts and experiences in the comments!