Fill Your Down Time
Technology has answered the call time and time again for those who want to cram more and more into a 24 hour day. Cellphones, PDA’s, laptops, and iPods. Anything and everything just to get more done, more knowledge, and stay ahead of the competition. Along with all this multitasking has come ulcers, heart conditions, and more Dr. Phil connections than I care to list.
As I undertake what some are saying to be an insane amount of tasks I am always looking for ways to maximize my time without going clinical. It can be a fine line to walk but when you find things that work, not only can they help you accomplish more, but they can make you relax at the same time. One of these technological advances I use regularly is the mp3 player, more specifically my iPod. Sure, I listen to music on it, but the most useful thing I’ve found for it is listening to Audio books.
I have been reading a lot lately, regular print books, but have slowed down some because of the time I spend at work and play. I still try to get in a bit of reading here and there but haven’t been able to keep up with the amount I was getting in last year. To solve this problem a friend of mine told me about how he uses his iPod to listen to books. Right away I thought about all the old people you see listening to audio books by who knows who as they power walk around the mall. But he said I should really give it a try and sent me a sign up email for 2 free audio books. “Why not,” I thought “free is free.”
So I tried it out and was instantly hooked. Being an engineer, I sometimes have a lot of screw turning to assemble prototypes. Now that mindless task has turned productive, I listen to audio books about history, technology, biographies, anything. It’s great. The other times I listen to these books is during car rides to the store, walking down the street, and on my runs as I train for the 4 minute mile. All this time where I was listening to the radio or zoning out thinking about nothing is now spent learning and expanding my knowledge. In the age where knowledge is power and money, the more you know the better chance you have to succeed.
Ease of use. There is no way I would be using this service if I needed to go to a store, or receive something in the mail, or fill out a bunch of information. Once I had my account I was good to go. I clicked on the books I wanted, downloaded the file and was listening in less than 10 minutes. That was for really large books, shorter books take less time. Another nice thing that iPod does is keep your place in your book. If I listen to say, 4 hours of a book, then some music, then go back to my book, it picks up right where I left off. Sweet iPod!
Cost. The cost of the books isn’t too bad. I use Audible.com, and you can join for $20 a month and get 2 books. $10 isn’t horrible. They also run some specials here and there and have free reads available too. Small price to pay for mobile knowledge.
Note: you don’t have to join to get books, it’s just cheaper that way. So far my review of audible.com is a great one. They are easy to use and have books I would have never thought to read. Joining up has actually made me keep reading. There are others out there but give audible a look.
Quality. The readers are usually pretty good. Sometimes the authors themselves read but not always. Every now and then you get someone reading who might say a particular word awkward but other than that not too bad. Sound quality is great and can be downloaded at different compression rates to save space.
Overall this is a great way to fill up your down time. Become productive at times you never thought possible. I have listened to all kinds of books, from Collapse by Jared Diamond, to America by Jon Stewart, and The Perfect Mile by Neal Bascomb. Audiobooks are great and I suggest them to anyone trying to expand their knowledge base with limited time.
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