PRODUCTIVITY
3 Apps to Get You Smarter Faster
And no I am not telling you to go read a book
In a world where continuous learning is not just a choice, but a necessity, the quest for getting smarter has never been more exciting. It is also an important means for escaping the infamous imposter syndrome which has now become the standard rather than an exception. This dynamic drives me to continually explore efficient apps for enhancing my breadth of knowledge without drowning in time commitments.
Whether you’re aiming to stay ahead in your professional journey, master new disciplines, or simply discover innovative ways to expand your intellectual horizons, these apps will benefit you too.
These apps are great options to replace mindless scrolling & build healthy and productive habits, effectively turning ‘dead’ time into productive learning sessions.
1. Podurama
While I truly relish my daily knowledge fix from books, there’s something particularly intriguing about the advantages that come with choosing to indulge in podcasts instead of traditional reading. For me, it’s all about that dynamic and captivating format. Immersing yourself in conversations between hosts and guests can effortlessly transport you into a stimulating dialogue, creating a stronger sense of relatability with the content, and a valuable chance to glean insights from their personal experiences.
Personally, my main challenge has been sourcing content to listen to, leading me to often gravitate towards fresh episodes of my favorite podcasts. However, Podurama has truly simplified my life with an array of game-changing features. Right off the bat, I have the freedom to sample a 30-second trailer before fully committing to an entire episode. But what truly sets it apart is the auto chapters feature. It essentially breaks down lengthy audios into bite-sized, easily digestible segments, complete with concise summaries for each segment. The added benefit is that each segment has the associated timestamp so you can seamlessly jump to specific segments in the audio player. More often than not, I find myself gleaning significant insights by simply going through these chapters, especially when I’m pressed for time and can’t dive into the entirety of an hour-long audio session.
2. Blinkist
Okay, I did say I won’t ask you to read a book but hear me out! I stumbled upon this gem of an app through ProductHunt, and I’ve been completely captivated ever since. What’s the scoop? Well, this app condenses entire books into these neat little packages called “Blinks,” packed with the main takeaways — a nifty concept akin to what we saw with Podurama earlier. These bite-sized insights take about 15 to 20 minutes to dive into, and you’ve got the option to either listen or read. And here’s the kicker — there’s this “Who’s it for” section that’s become my pre-game ritual. It’s like a sneak peek to check if the book vibes with my interests and field.
Quick heads-up: you get one free book a day, but if you’re a true book devourer, you can level up to the premium version. Recently, I dove into “The Everything Store,” which spills the beans on how Jeff Bezos crafted Amazon into the powerhouse it is today, starting right from scratch. Trust me, the entrepreneurial nuggets strewn along the way are pure gold.
3. Headway
While Blinkist undeniably kicked off the trend, it’s Headway that earned its well-deserved spot as Apple’s “Editor’s Choice” and for good reason. Sporting functionalities akin to those of Blinkist — offering both audio and text summaries — Headway comes in a tad more budget-friendly, a choice attributed to its laser focus on non-fiction works. These selections are carefully curated from reputable lists like The New York Times Bestsellers and Amazon Bestsellers, ensuring a premium delivery of top-tier ideas.
What sets Headway apart is its enticing spaced repetition feature, which ingeniously transforms your favored insights into handy flashcards that can be revisited at your convenience. Personally, I’ve found immense value in utilizing these flashcards daily to store motivating quotes and entrepreneurial advice.
And that’s a wrap on our journey to getting smarter, and faster! With these nifty apps by our side, improving our knowledge and honing our skills is a piece of cake. The best part? The time commitment is so low that absolutely anyone can jump on board and reap the benefits. So why wait? Let’s dive into the world of books and podcasts, supercharge our brains, and watch ourselves grow into smarter, more awesome versions of ourselves.
Happy learning! ✨ 🚀
