Audiobooks discussion
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listening at work with improved comprehension
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Smallo
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Aug 24, 2014 02:40AM
According to my previous topic about audiobook listening at work I'm in tiny minority because most people can't concentrate while working. I have same problem but listen anyway because sometimes I get inklings in which I can sometimes immerse myself in the audiobook while still doing my job correctly. These inklings are increasing...don't know why exactly...maybe because after years of listening at work my brain is actually conditioning itself?
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I've noticed a lot of people mention listening while they work, but I just don't see how they can work well while their concentration is on something like an audiobook. Does everyone actually try to do both at once, or do you just listen during downtime?
My job is not conducive to multitasking with audiobooks, so I definitely only listen during down time (breaks, trip to the copier, heating up my lunch or walking to the cafeteria, cleaning out my email inbox, etc.).
I can't listen at work. I've tried (I have a very unique work environment which allows for the practice) but I just can't follow a book while working. Music, yes. Spoken word, no.
I would never try to do something new while listening to an audiobook. But I have been in my current position for five years, and things get to be almost automatic. So I listen to audio books while doing things I've been doing for years. But I have to pause to answer a co-worker's question... or answering the phone... or even to think about a response to an email someone just sent me.But even with those interruptions, I can usually get a good 6-7 hours in each day. It's all about multi-tasking. 45% of your attention is on doing your work, 45% is on comprehending your audiobook, and that last 10% is your motion detector. Being aware of when someone is just passing by be actually coming up to your desk... being aware when your phone is ringing or when a new email hits your Inbox. It takes practice, but I learned to do this in school. I would turn on the tv, put on some music, and do my homework.
I am one of those people who work better with noise. In college, I used to go do my homework in fast food restaurants. Lots of ambient noise.
See, I used to watch soaps while studying, even when I was in law school. My family marvelled at my ability to tell them what was happening on the screen AND retain the material I was learning.
I can do routine tasks, like transferring data from a document to a spreadsheet, while listening, but not much else. However, listening while I walk from the car to the office and back gets me an extra half-hour on my book each day.
I can listen at work since I mostly look at numbers and the same words over and over. When I have to write something (or use my brain) I find I've missed some of the book and have to back up. I've learned to pause when a pesky coworker or customer interrupts (the nerve!) so I can successfully enjoy audiobooks at work. It makes my painfully boring job tolerable; I can get so immersed in a story I can't recall doing any work sometimes.
Catherine wrote: "I can listen at work since I mostly look at numbers and the same words over and over. When I have to write something (or use my brain) I find I've missed some of the book and have to back up. I'v..."My job is somewhat similar. Many times audibook recedes as my background "music" which I prefer to actual music. I also play the same passages over and over for several hours especially for difficult texts like Chaucer, Milton and Shakespeare -- I know weird --but words are literally music for my ears.
If I didn't listen at work I would never listen to audiobooks. My job is very quiet and everyone wears headphones. I just started working from home recently and I've found it difficult to listen to audiobooks when I can just listen to my tv.
I also have to back up and relisten frequently, but I find that makes me have a better grasp on the book. Also, I'd much rather listen to a book being narrated then music most of the time.
Smallo- I'm the same way. I listen at work too and although I think sometimes my audio book just mixes in with the background noise I find that I can listen and work at the same time so it makes the day go by so much faster and helps me move through my audio books at a faster pace!
I'm lucky that I seem to have a lot of meetings outside the office and out of town these days, which gives me work time in the car to listen! This year my traveling has picked up a lot, which has really, really accelerated the number of books I have gotten through.As I said earlier in this thread, if I'm in the office I can only listen during breaks and low-brain activities (copier, cleaning out email inbox, etc.).
Angie wrote: "I've noticed a lot of people mention listening while they work, but I just don't see how they can work well while their concentration is on something like an audiobook. Does everyone actually try ..."My job is more "muscle memory" than really using my "brain". lol I find myself able to listen to audio books while entering information into a data program. But, when the phone rings or I have to "read" something for work, I am unable to comprehend the book
I listen at work every day! If I am reading/answering an email, talking on the phone, or reading something longer or complicated, etc... I will pause my book. Other than that I am good to go. I would die without my audiobooks. I keep an extra pair of earbuds in my purse in case something happens to the pair I am using. I think they help me focus.
No way in heck could I listen/comprehend at work! I can't even listen while grocery shopping (I've tried)!
My commute to work is long 1.5 to 2 hours. And then repeat on the way home. Audiobooks have kept me company. One morning the traffic on 495 was pretty heavy, but I didn't mind because I was so engrossed in the book. I was more engrossed than I realized. I had passed my exit a couple miles back. That was an extra 15 minutes to get to work.
Heidi (Yup. Still here.) wrote: "No way in heck could I listen/comprehend at work! I can't even listen while grocery shopping (I've tried)!"I always listen while grocery shopping!! :)
Jeanie wrote: "I always listen while grocery shopping!! :)"Yes, so do I. But do you ever find yourself poised, hand extended towards the freezer cabinet, eyes wide, jaw slightly slack, caught up in a dramatic moment.....
My job is very tedious at times and if I couldn't listen to my audiobooks I would probably fall asleep from boredom. I've been listening to audiobooks for years and I find it keeps me calm while driving and doing other activities.
Jeanie wrote: "Heidi (Yup. Still here.) wrote: "No way in heck could I listen/comprehend at work! I can't even listen while grocery shopping (I've tried)!"I always listen while grocery shopping!! :)"
I have tried this many times and find by the end of my trip that I spaced out on too many parts of the book. I am pretty picky about what I eat so read a lot of food labels, which I think is where I run into problems. I can not read anything (on the internet or in general) and still pay attention to an audiobook. I can only listen while driving, cleaning, or walking/biking as those require no reading!
I know what you mean, Heidi. I have to turn the audio off if I'm searching the shelves or comparing products.I just tried this morning listening while I was working and I either couldn't concentrate on the work I was doing or I missed part of the narration and had to 'rewind'.
I do visual work, color correction, layout, etc. so I can listen to books while working. If I've got a really complicated job that requires reading things and doing new tasks I have to turn the books off until I am done.
Brigitta wrote: "My commute to work is long 1.5 to 2 hours. And then repeat on the way home. Audiobooks have kept me company. One morning the traffic on 495 was pretty heavy, but I didn't mind because I was so engr..."I used to listen when I commuted long hours on the LIE. It really helps to keep you from losing your cool in traffic!
I am a mail carrier. Needless to say my job is very routine! Some days I go hours without seeing a customer. When I do see folks, I pause and rewind as needed. I love that I can listen because I would have missed many, many wonderful interesting books otherwise!
I have tried to listen at work - mostly when I'm on a really good book or right at the end and wrapping one up. I don't/can't pay attention worth a flip! So I will just stick to listening in the car on my commute. Totally makes the 45+ minute to drive enjoyable...
It also depends on the book. If I am listening to non fiction about psychology or science I have trouble listening at work if it is new terminology to me. I tend to listen to more fantasy books at work as the amount of processing is less.
