How to Effectively Listen to Best Self-Help Books Amidst a Busy Workday

There you are, juggling emails, Zoom calls, and deadlines, trying to keep it all together without dropping a single spinning plate. But there’s a voice in your head reminding you of that self-help book you meant to finish last year.

You know the one – its title was supposed to revolutionise your life, or at least make you mildly more competent. Yet, every time you think about diving in, life (and another task) interrupts.

The solution?

Listen to self-help books on audio. You don’t need a quiet study or hours of uninterrupted reading time; you just need some strategic pockets of listening during your workday.

Here’s how to pull it off without letting anyone suspect you’re trying to sneak a bit of “How to Win at Life” wisdom between spreadsheet sessions.

Contents
Start the Day with a Self-Help Boost

Kick off the morning with a dose of self-improvement. As you’re sipping your coffee, waiting for that brain-fog to clear, why not put on a self-help book that’s as energising as caffeine? This way, you’re not only waking up but already levelling up before you’ve even started work.

And don’t worry if you’re barely listening because you’re busy deciding if you should answer last night’s emails or scroll through social media first. Your subconscious still catches those nuggets of wisdom. It’s like breakfast for the mind (minus the carbs and guilt).

Listen During Task Breaks: Multitasking’s Best Friend

Let’s be honest: sometimes we all need to zone out, even if it’s just during a mundane task like sorting emails or reorganising files. Instead of diving into a random playlist, turn on a self-help book. Not only will you be learning valuable life tips, but you’ll also feel like a productivity hero.

Pro tip: pick self-help books that don’t require intense focus. If it’s something a bit heavy, save it for another time and stick with lighter options like motivational stories or confidence boosters. With the right book, even your dullest tasks start to feel like they have a purpose.

The Lunch Break Transformation – Fuel for Body and Mind

Lunch breaks aren’t just for food – they’re also a great time to recharge mentally. Swap out the gossip or YouTube binge for a self-help book that promises to teach you how to stay calm amidst chaos or organise your life like a pro. In 30 minutes, you could go from tired and uninspired to slightly less tired and a little inspired (hey, small wins count!).

Find a cosy spot, put in your headphones, and enjoy the double whammy of food and mental food. Plus, with self-help in your ear, you’re bound to at least consider avoiding that 3pm donut.

The ‘Pretend It’s Background Music’ Strategy

We all have tasks where our hands are busy, but our minds are just tagging along for the ride. Maybe you’re copying data, arranging documents, or just doing some repetitive work. This is the perfect time for a self-help book. Treat it like background music, but instead of catchy beats, you get a soundtrack of inspiring thoughts and ideas on how to improve your life.

This strategy is perfect because it allows you to soak up self-help advice without feeling like you’re skimping on work. Plus, if you’re called into a spontaneous meeting, you can hit pause and easily pick up right where you left off later.

Commuting: The Self-Help Sweet Spot

If you commute to work, that’s prime real estate for listening to a self-help book. Whether you’re on a train, bus, or driving, there’s nothing else you could really be doing (safely, at least). Cue up your favourite book, let it play, and let your journey be as productive as possible.

During a commute, self-help books can be a perfect mood-setter for the day. Maybe you need a confidence boost for a big meeting, or some patience before diving into the day’s tasks. And let’s be real – listening to wise words on the way home is far better than listening to the person next to you talk about their cat’s food allergies.

The Power of Pre-Bed Reflection

So, you’ve survived the day. Before you completely crash, why not wind down with a bit of personal growth? Listen to a self-help book for 10 or 15 minutes, absorbing some life lessons before you sleep. Studies show that sleep helps with memory consolidation, so those last-minute lessons might actually stick (or at least you’ll dream about them).

This way, instead of lying awake replaying embarrassing moments from 2014, you’re drifting off to constructive thoughts on resilience, confidence, and how to improve tomorrow. And hey, that’s one step closer to becoming the best version of yourself.

Listening While Exercising – Double the Motivation

If you can squeeze in some exercise during the day, why not double the productivity? Listening to a self-help book while you’re working out turns your “me-time” into “better-me time.” You’re not only building physical endurance but mental resilience too. With each step, squat, or stretch, you’re also powering up your mindset.

Don’t be surprised if you suddenly feel like running an extra mile or doing more reps because you just heard an epic chapter about persistence and grit. Talk about a win-win!

Make it Easier with the Wizdom App

Life is busy, and finding time for self-help books can feel like an impossible task. That’s where the Wizdom app comes in. Wizdom makes personal growth accessible by offering summaries of popular self-help and personal development books, so you get the key insights in minutes. Whether you’re looking to boost your confidence, improve productivity, or just feel a bit more in control, Wizdom can give you the motivation you need without the time commitment.

So next time you’re caught between tasks, hit play on Wizdom, and get a quick shot of inspiration. After all, everyone deserves a bit of self-help – even on the busiest of days.