Podcast listening overload? My Strategies for Balancing Work and Personal Growth with Podcasts

Let me share my secret to maximizing podcast consumption without compromising on other important activities.

Are you tired of feeling like there’s never enough time in the day to listen to your favorite podcasts? Let me share my secret to maximizing podcast consumption without compromising on other important activities.

Imagine optimizing your daily routines — your commute, workout, or even your grocery run — to become prime podcast listening opportunities. That’s exactly what I’ve achieved. Let me guide you through a typical week in my life, where I transform every spare moment into a valuable learning experience.

Want to listen more in less time ?

The key trick to my success in listening to podcasts is playing the audio at 1.5 times the regular speed. By default, I listen at 1.5x speed. However, if the content is in my native language or the speakers are speaking slowly, I will listen at twice the speed. This allows me to cover more content in less time.

How I adapted to listening at 1.5x Speed ?

Many people wonder if it is possible to understand podcasts played at an increased speed like 1.5x. Initially, it may take some time to get used to, but after a while, it becomes completely comfortable. I find that when I listen to topics I am already familiar with, such as health, business, or technology, my brain easily processes and comprehends the content at this accelerated speed.

However, when encountering new topics or attempting to learn complex concepts, I switch back to the normal playback speed to ensure full understanding.

How can speeding up podcasts enhance your ability to concentrate?

Some people argue that listening to podcasts at a higher speed is counterproductive, but it improves focus. Here’s why: when content is delivered slowly, I am more likely to multitask and lose attention. However, when I listen at a faster speed, I have to concentrate more to understand.

In addition, when I watch a video, I enable automatic closed captions. Having text along with audio helps to process information more quickly. The podcast app I use, Snipd, also offers a live transcript feature that helps me understand content at a faster speed.

Looking for ways to fit in more podcast listening time?

I have found a way to incorporate podcasts into my daily routine without sacrificing time for work. I have designated specific periods during my day for listening to podcasts. For example, I listen to podcasts while doing my daily exercise routine, which includes walking and gym sessions that last around 1.5 hours. In addition, during my daily commute of approximately 30 minutes, I take advantage of this time by tuning in to podcasts.

To further increase the amount of podcast content consumed, I incorporate listening into my shopping routine as well. While driving for shopping and even during the actual shopping experience in grocery stores or retail outlets like Costco, I continue to listen to podcasts.

Staying safe while engaged in Podcast

You might be wondering how I manage to stay alert and aware of my surroundings while listening to podcasts. Initially, I faced this problem. When I first started listening to podcasts while walking, I used my phone’s speaker instead of AirPods because it’s not safe to isolate myself from what’s happening around me. However, I then discovered the amazing Shozk Bone Conduction Wireless Headphones.

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Unlike other headphones that cover your ears, Shozk’s bone conduction technology allows your ears to remain completely open, providing you with awareness of your surroundings for a safe and connected listening experience. These are the headphones I use when listening to podcasts while walking or shopping.

An Example from My Week:

To demonstrate the effectiveness of this strategy in practice, let me share a recent experience from a shopping trip. I listened to podcasts during the drive and throughout the entire shopping trip. When I got home after 2 hours, I had already finished listening to 2 hours and 45 minutes of podcast content.

Here is a screenshot of my podcast listening summary from my podcast listening app, Snipd

Conclusion

By implementing the strategies I’ve shared, you can easily make the most of your time and maximize your podcast consumption. Imagine the knowledge and inspiration you can gain by utilizing your commute, exercise time, and even shopping trips to listen to podcasts. Don’t let a busy schedule hold you back from personal growth. You’ll be amazed at the impact it can have on your life.

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