Heyy!

👀 My Musings

If we've had a conversation over the last six months and we haven't chatted about speed listening, that's most likely a lie because this is a topic that I bring up, quite a lot 😌. I'm genuinely so passionate about it. I think I got into this whole thing over the summer (it was going to be my first newsletter but there was just too much in the moment I wanted to share 😤).

But first, before we even get into speed listening, we have to get to audio to begin with. So, why audiobooks to begin with?

Think about how many of us have that "I want to get into reading... but I'm not willing to make time to sit down with a book and read. There's just SO MANY other priorities." That's not necessarily a bad thing, because if everything is a priority, nothing is a priority. And also... this person is 100% me. To this day, I'm not about to make time to sit down with a book to read. Yes, partially because I'm not willing to add it to my already jam-packed day, but also because I am an auditory learner, I don't comprehend physical books the same way I can with audio. But with audiobooks, I can read while I'm doing mundane/autopilot tasks (getting ready, on the way to class, while eating breakfast) and I comprehend the content much better. There is no way I'd get through my school books without Audible (audiobooks) or textbook readings without Speechify (text-to-speech translator).

But, now that we're all on the audio train, why speed listening?

1. It reduces the "cost" of reading a book. Books are relatively cheap, but it's largely the time commitment that holds people back. Imagine being able to a place where you can listen and comprehend in a faster period of time! Because the "cost" is reduced, you can sample a little of everything to find which books vibe with you. You're just able to discover more (which leads to more takeaways). Ex: Instead of a book taking me 12 hours to get through, I can get through it in 3-4 hours instead!
2. Personally, I thought I couldn't enjoy a speed-listened Audiobook, but that's how I take away the most insights for nonfiction and keep it action-packed for fiction. Honestly, I enjoy it more this way :)
3. Once you're able to comprehend at 2x speed, 1x speed just feels s o s l o w. If you work your way up as you practice speed listening slowly but steadily over a period of 10-20 books, your 2x speed will sound exactly like your old 1x speed. Imagine listening to everything at 0.5x speed... that's exactly what 1x speed feels like for me. I'm able to take in what I used to, but just, faster.
4. I'm able to appreciate more. The books I've been able to listen to have framed my perspective on life, the world around me, etc.

How do you start speed listening?

Similar to how you'd practice increasing your typing speed, as you're listening to audiobooks/text, keep it at a speed that is slightly uncomfortable, but just to the point where you can comprehend everything. I recommend 10% faster than your normal listening pace. With time, you'll adapt to be able to comfortably understand, and you can move up to the next range. Of course, for things that are information-dense, you're more likely to need to lower the speed multiple, but the point is, you should be challenging yourself, but still with an understanding.

It's one of those things that I personally was very against for YEARS. But when I was willing to challenge my assumptions and give it a shot, it was a game-changer. Might as well have increased productivity without losing the pleasure! I understand this isn't for everyone, but don't knock it till you try it. I gave myself three weeks to give it a shot, and haven't looked back 🎵.

🪄 Casual Magic

Even though it's finals season, I have a few wonderful moments set aside to spend with my baes <3 Instead of fancy birthday presents, we celebrated both Shayna & Vrutika's birthday at The Durham Food Hall and at DPAC for Hasan Mihnaj's new special ❤️. Might be a few months late to their gift, but totally recommend the experience > physical gift thing on occasion.

🧠 Productivity Tip

Reframe Your To-Do List: David Allen, the author of Getting Things Done: The Art of Stress-Free Productivity popularized this method. Largely, we don't have a time management problem, but rather, an energy management problem. By the end of the day, we're too exhausted to do some of the more hefty tasks (and even sometimes even the little ones that require some thinking). But that's where this method comes in -- Allen talks about how when planning your to-do list, frame it around the next action. "Ask yourself, what is the next action," no matter how simple, add all the resources needed to complete it, and write it down. For example, instead of "Doctor's Appointment," write down, "Call 'x' hospital to book appointment for my next checkup at 'x phone number.'" You never realize how important those little things are until it's the craziest time of year.

Though my productivity tip could also just be speed listening 👀.

🥳 Community Event Spotlight

On December 9th, Cary Founded, one of the new local coworking spaces is hosting its first Gourmet Gifting Market!

Discover a wide variety of savory delights and sweet treats from locally owned and operated food businesses here in North Carolina.

Vendors to look forward to:

• Moon Angel Sweets
• Fun Smoked Snacks
• The Apothecary’s Kitchen
• Mrs. Ruth’s Jams
• Larry’s Coffee

P.S. Be sure to check out the Cary Christmas Parade right after the event from 2-4pm in downtown Cary.

Register and find more information, here!

❤️ My Favorite Things this Week

1. 📕 Book - The first week this semester I haven't finished a book :( But I did listen to two last week so, my last week's read was Happy Sexy Millionaire: Unexpected Truths about Fulfilment, Love and Success by Steven Bartlett. It was an interesting read as it talks about happiness and how we always look at the next big milestone as when we're going to be "happy" when in reality, that's less true. He speaks on how to enjoy the journey, find the right frameworks for you, and be excited by growth but at peace with where you are.
2. 🎙️ Podcast - My favorite podcast episode of all time with the Cliff Weitzman x Ali Abdaal​ - You're Not Lazy: How To Learn Anything Faster. They talk about the intentionality behind growing your network, putting goodness into the world, and speed listening. I've listened to this episode probably over 20 times at this point.
3. 📱 Productivity App - Speechify is the best text-to-speech app that will convert your PDFs, books, and most things on the web into voices of your choice (Snoop Dog is my personal fave).
4. 🚀 Nonprofit - I just joined Leadership Triangle's Alumni Board, so had to share the great work they're up to! My absolutely favorite leadership development organization, y'all. I participated in their leadership Transforming Leaders Program in 2022 and it taught me about how to develop good practices within the places I work rather than have to go back and fix the bad ones a few years down the line! Apply for Transforming Leaders or the Regional Program! If you have any questions, ask me!​

✍️Quote of the Week

“If there’s a hill I’m going to die on, it’s that listening / watching stuff at 2-3x speed is the way forward.” ~ Ali Abdaal, 2x Speed Listening​