What I Learned About My Writing From Using Dictation
Save time, reduce on-screen distractions, and delineate between writing and editing.
Google has a solution for everything:
- Search
- Maps
- Assistant
- And, Google Docs Tools
While working on the article above, I discovered the fresh breath of air that is a built-in dictation tool within Google Docs.
First I’ll point out one of the biggest reasons I love it — it’s free.
Admittedly, I invested $20 around the time I started using this gift from the writing productivity gods for a basic headset-microphone. That headset has lived a long, happy life. It’s still kicking! I picked it up at Meijer, but I’ve since realized I can use my Google Pixel headphones just as effectively.
This productivity hack has been a major boon to my writing speed. When typing, I often get distracted by two things — Chrome tabs and my inner editor.
Using a headset allows me to focus entirely on getting words on the page without rethinking them as I’m capturing them. With a headset, it’s okay if what I say sucks. I’ll edit it later! The headset means I’m not looking at what I just spoke aloud — and shows up magically on the page.
Instead of second-guessing every word, sentence, paragraph, and section, I can simply work in a stream-of-consciousness. For me, that works.
I can tell my inner editor — I’ve nicknamed her Judith —to shut up and go away.
As fellow writers know all too well, writing and editing are separate skills and tasks. The headset allows me to get out of my own way while writing.
Judith can wait her turn!
When I began writing as a freelancer in 2017, I had a steep learning curve to transition from academic writing to editorial and consumer writing (fare thee well, APA style!).
On the other hand, it was freeing to have a degree of flexibility I never had before in scholastic assignments, research summaries, or even business writing. Creativity and writing are natural bedfellows, but I had little prior experience finding — and writing in — my own voice.
I had no idea that writing in a free-flowing fashion was even an option. As it turns out, this is a very productive way for me to work.
The headset I bought at Meijer nearly 5 years ago has held up to my daily abuse. The thing cost me $20. No big investment is needed. In fact, you may not need a headset at all if your mic quality is good enough on your laptop (or if you use your phone).
Dictation saves time, reduces on-screen distractions, and delineates between writing and editing mode.
What more could convince you to stand up, start talking, and stop typing?
Annette Miller is the Cofounder and CEO of Enriched Couples, a financial therapy platform that uses psychology to guide couples through unifying their values, financial priorities, and future goals.
