Audiobooks Are A Great Source of Misery… and Learning Awesomeness!

I love learning through audio books because I can close my eyes and layback in the dark and learn instead of reading and getting a headache. Listening to things rather than reading them helps me to grasp the concept better. It sort of brainwashes me to learn the information… in a good way, of course!

Being able to learn through an audiobook provides flexibility. Someone can learn on their own time, they do not have to attend traditional courses. This can be very useful for someone to continue working and develop new skills. And besides, what better way to spend that time otherwise wasted during exercise time, right?

This blog article is a branch out to life-optimizing readers like yourself that were kind enough to do a little question and answer interview survey with me. I’m still working on my interview skills (and some of these were done via email/not-in-person!), but I do promise good, raw, and honest answers from normal people like you and me. I do my best to NOT filter these answers, except for the bad words and hateful speech (which doesn’t happen often).

Topic of Interest: Learning Through Audiobooks

‘R’ = Richard N. Stephenson (me!)
‘I’ = Interviewee (anonymous by request unless otherwise noted)

R: Give an example of learning through audiobooks (or another form of audio-based learning) that has inspired you (from either internet/mainstream media examples or personal examples).

I: I definitely use audio based learning to learn new things about games I enjoy. I’ve had audio playing while I do other menial tasks, like clean or eat. They help me later when I’m playing and I remember what I listened to.

R: How do you think a better understanding of learning through audiobooks would help other people in their personal or professional life?

I: A better understanding of learning using audiobooks would help people because the amount of time they could devote to learning would increase. Time spent in the car or at home could be time spent listening to an educational book. Spending mundane time commuting to work would become a time of learning or mental stimulation. I personally enjoy audiobooks.

R: Give an example of how learning through audiobooks has helped you professionally or personally.

I: I am blind so using audio books is easier. I can read braille but it takes up more space and is harder to store. I got through high school by using audio textbooks.

R: Describe at least one way you think learning through audiobooks could cause trouble or hurt someone in their personal or professional life.

I: A lot of people use audio books to learn or read while driving. This can be dangerous and a distraction while on the road. You want to have preferably no distractions while you are driving to avoid wrecks.

R: Give an example of how learning through audiobooks has hurt you or caused you trouble in the past.

I: I have never been wronged by audiobooks. I am not the best reader, so audiobooks are actually my preferred method instead of reading. I usually tend to dose off or start to read the same line over and over, which gets me nowhere. When I am listening to the book, I can do other things and still be paying attention. It really works for me.

R: How do you think learning through audiobooks could help you in a professional setting? Why is that?

I: Audio books have the potential because some people learn by hearing information as opposed to seeing or reading it themselves. The audio also reinforces the ideas into the persons head. This allows you to do something hands on in relations to the audio- like a person reading you directions.

R: Give an example of how learning through audiobooks could be useful at work. Why do you think this?

I: Audio books help me learn while I am doing mundane tasks. This allows me to accomplish more in the time I have available to me. This efficiency lets me learn things useful to my career, and having that extra knowledge can be enough to bring me more productivity, and by those means, more money.

R: How do you think learning through audiobooks could help you at home? Why is that?

I: Audiobooks have actually helped my wife out greatly. She listens to them when she’s folding clothes or doing small tasks around the house. She started listening to them so I joined in and found it very enjoyable. It is a different experience than just reading the books, I prefer to listen to audiobooks rather than read them now! They save time and you can do other small tasks while listening to them but also still paying attention to them.

R: Give an example of how learning through audiobooks could be useful at home or in family life. Why do you think this?

I: Audiobooks are a cheap way to learn new things, to relax, and to multi-task. As a caretaker, it is hard to find time for myself. I feel like I’d die without new knowledge and the only way for me to etch out time for myself is to listen to material while I am cleaning the house or doing laundry.

R: How do you think learning through audiobooks could help you in a personal relationship? Why is that?

I: Audio books could help because of the interaction of sound with the written word. Personal relationships involve more than just reading emails, for an example. Personal relationships require the use of all of the senses, one of much importance is listening. Listening to audio books together places focus on the importance of listening to each other not only during a time of learning but during times of communication, as well.

R: Give an example of how learning through audiobooks could be useful in a personal relationship. Why do you think this?

I: I drove across the country with a friend. If it was not for a few audiobooks, the driving would have been unbearable. The books that we listened to helped keep the trip interesting and fun.

R: Describe at least one thing you would like to learn more about learning through audiobooks.

I: I have tried learning through audiobooks and would like to know if it really works. Are there any statistics which show people improved through them? Does anyone have a real life testimonial? I’m curious if it is easier and more beneficial to learn through those rather than sitting through lectures or reading the material in a book.

R: Give your number one piece of advice for someone looking to learn more about learning through audiobooks.

I: Finding the best books to learn from (the MOST important part of learning through audiobooks) requires that you search multiple websites and site listings so that each book you choose is the best out of hundreds of options you’ve looked through, rather than the best out of only a few.

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How was that for a nice little journey into this topic? I hope you enjoyed this interview and found at least one useful bit of information you can immediately begin to apply in your life. Yes, homework is never seen as a nice word, but it’s useful – give yourself an action to use at least 1 thing from this article to help change your life.

Please share your thoughts, experiences, or your own interview answers and let’s share some real life wisdom, okay?