Discussion Thread

  • 1.  Double-Dipping, Making the Most of your Time

    Posted 02-16-2022 10:21 AM
    Last year I (somewhat randomly) decided to start listening to audiobooks instead of the radio or music during my car rides, walks, trips to school, sites visits, etc. 

    Over the past several months I have been able to finish quite a surprising amount of content. I realized that by listening to audiobooks I am making the most during these short trips. I am essentially "double-dipping" by arriving at my destination and learning something!

    Does anyone have any hacks that they implement in their daily routine to make the most of their time?

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    Daniel Bressler EIT, A.M.ASCE
    Structural Engineer
    Brooklyn NY
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  • 2.  RE: Double-Dipping, Making the Most of your Time

    Posted 03-22-2022 07:55 AM
    That's good to share, but during these pandemic it's so hard to pick your self and have motivation to do so, so how do you do that? As for myself, I was bounded to just keep entertain and away from stressed and overwhelming activities but I know It's no harm for me if I try. And it's good that you have this routines, but I just also want to say, sometimes it's okay to deal without of it and be present, and less productive because it can help also our inner self to recharge more and not to get so overwhelmed. And I'm talking in behalf of mental health of some students now adays, and I wish you can give us, some enlightenment. Thank you so much for that, how I wish I can recalibrate my mindset to do that. Indeeds, very inspiring and vulnerable to your goals.

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    Llala Chrishaye Ocampo Aff.M.ASCE
    Student
    City of General Trias Cavite
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  • 3.  RE: Double-Dipping, Making the Most of your Time

    Posted 03-31-2022 11:00 AM
    There's no reason to feel bad about not doing what other people do, within reason. I like to have time to think about stuff and sometimes commute is when I do that. I also like to note or copy parts of a book, and that's not possible with an audiobook. I have found--I think Daniel gave me the idea--that listening (or watching YouTube) at 1.5x or 2x speed can be a great way to increase the amount of material we can process, although when I do that, I can't multitask.

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    Tsee Lee, A.M.ASCE
    City of New York
    Long Island City, NY
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  • 4.  RE: Double-Dipping, Making the Most of your Time

    Posted 04-04-2022 03:09 PM
    I agree with Llala. I think it's very admirable that Daniel is learning new things during his commute, and I tip my hat to him. On principle, I know I should do a better job at learning things, keeping up with news, etc. But when I'm driving or doing a mundane task such as washing dishes, I prefer to sing/listen to music, pray, or just sit in silence, based on whatever I feel I need to decompress in that moment. Perhaps not a 'productive' use of my time, but I find it refreshing and important to take a moment for myself.

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    Kathryn Little, EIT, A.M.ASCE (she/her)
    Water Resources Engineer
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  • 5.  RE: Double-Dipping, Making the Most of your Time

    Posted 07-05-2022 08:40 AM
    Do to how many devices I use for content nowadays, I have found ways to use two at once when it is not work-related:

    • When using an in-place bicycle, I would listen to a chapter from an e-book about finance or another interesting topic
    • When playing a computer or video game, I could play a video filled with information so that I was sitting though it (and if the video was loosely structured, I could play it with subtitles and at over 1.25x speed)
    • When there are weekly priorities to check and fulfill, I open all the tabs I need to at once, so I can always progress from one page to the next when I get certain thoughts
    • And lastly, when there's new music for me to remember the name and tone of, I play it during work or chores to memorize


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    Alexander Granato A.M.ASCE
    Student
    Bexley OH
    granato.3@...
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