Audio learning is a good way to increase our quality of time. Rather than just doing one thing, why don’t we couple it with audio learning so that we can get more value out of the time? Of course, not every moment can be coupled with audio learning. If the task we do demands focus and undivided attention, coupling it with audio learning will only distract us and reduce the quality we produce.

But there are tasks that do not require full focus. The moments when we do such tasks are low-intensity moments, and they are ideal for audio learning.

After not doing it for some time, recently I tried to get back to audio learning, and the first step I did is recognizing the low-intensity moments that could be used. Whenever such moments come, I would then remind myself to upgrade it with audio learning.

Here are some low-intensity moments you could use for audio learning:

1. Commuting

Whether you drive or take public transport, commuting usually doesn’t require much attention. You can always use audio learning to upgrade such otherwise low-quality moments. Besides podcasts, audio books are good alternative. In fact, some people “read” more books through audio books than printed books.

2. Computer time

When you are on your computer but are not doing serious work, you can couple it with audio learning. The software I (and many people) use is iTunes that conveniently downloads my podcasts. My favorite feature in iTunes is its ability to remember the last spot I listened to in case I needed to leave the podcast in the middle.

3. Queuing

Queuing time is obviously low-quality time in which we do practically nothing. Reading and audio learning are both attractive ways to better use the time.

4. Doing chore

Since cleaning your house or doing other chores may take considerable amount of time, you can learn a lot over time if you use the time for audio learning.

5. Exercising

This is my favorite moment for audio learning. Though I don’t spend much time exercising, it’s enough to listen to short podcasts.

6. Eating

This doesn’t apply when you eat with someone. But, when you eat alone, audio learning is a good way to increase the quality of time. 

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The nice thing about using these low-quality moments is you don’t have to spend any extra time. You simply upgrade the quality of the existing time. Furthermore, though listening to a podcast episode at a time may seem small, over time they will add up to something significant. Let’s say I exercise 3 times a week and listen to one podcast episode each time. In one month I will have listened to 12 episodes and in one year I will have listened to 144 episodes. Not bad considering that I don’t spend any extra time for it. 

So which one is your favorite moment for audio learning and why? Or perhaps you have other favorite moments I didn’t mention?

Photo by Richard Moross