Listening to books can seem like cheating. I felt that way at some point in my life but sometimes you just get busy. And usually, that means at the end of the night all you want to do is sleep. Early in 2022, my company pulled me back into the office. Meaning I would need to commute at least an hour and a half each day. Music is nice, but sometimes you can’t find what to listen to and there were many times I would just sit in silence. I’ve been using audible more so, I’ve been paying for audible for years. I decided to give the books I had downloaded in my library a try. I started with Shoe Dog by Phil Knight. Listening to it really inspired me to try to create something more with my life. I have the kindle version and I just never made time to sit down and read it. Why have all then great books and stories if they’ll just collect dust?
Listening to books has opened up a whole world for me. Driving? I’m listening to a book. Walking, gardening, yard work, and house chores are all times when I turn on an audiobook and listen. Currently, I’ve just been listening to biographies and autobiographies. I’ve learned that listening to stories about people’s lives is easier to digest in audiobook format. It’s been two months and I listened to almost 40 hours of content. I’m so amazed at how rewarding it has been to listen to books.
It’s not without its drawbacks though. I find it harder to make notes and bookmark parts that interest me since I am typically doing something. I am trying to be conscious to go back and remind myself after I’ve done whatever I’ve been doing to make a note. I also am trying to do book reviews as soon as I finish so that I can remember what I listened to.
Until I get a good routine with reading on my kindle or physical books, I’ll continue to listen to books. I do miss reading in that format, but I can’t force myself to read that very much, I need to make it an enjoyable habit first so that I can have a healthy mix of reading done through listening or actively taking in what I’m reading.
Long story short, give it a try, if anything it’ll help you pass the time while you learn about something.
