I didn’t notice how a lot of my mind was being wasted on remembering tiny issues till I ended making an attempt to recollect them altogether. The opposite day I attempted to log into a pc I hadn’t used for a number of months and utterly blanked on the password. I additionally missed a buddy’s birthday and barely managed to order a present for my very own mom in time for Mom’s Day. For sure, I’ve lots on my thoughts that seems like fixed psychological litter.
So, as a substitute of making an attempt to do all of it myself, I handled Google NotebookLM like an exterior mind. No, I wasn’t letting it make selections for me or do any essential considering. I let it assist me be extra productive and take a number of the stress out of my life. Here is what occurred.
(Picture credit score: Future)
NotebookLM is designed as a source-grounded AI analysis and group instrument, which means it really works from the paperwork, notes and sources you add. Plus, it has the power to go looking the net, so it will probably use these sources proper throughout the platform. Through the use of NotebookLM to assist me keep organized, I observed that I ended mentally carrying dozens of tiny duties round all day lengthy. Usually my mind treats each respectable concept like an pressing process, even an emergency.
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However after every week of dumping every part into NotebookLM from story angles to random observations and half-finished concepts, AI took care of organizing the chaos. So, as a substitute of looking by way of tabs and paperwork, I may ask NotebookLM to sift by way of all of the concepts I uploaded. Reasonably than rereading the identical PDFs, notes, Slack messages and articles consistently as a result of I didn’t belief myself to totally retain the essential components, I let AI assist.
NotebookLM gave every matter its personal ‘psychological container’
(Picture credit score: Tom’s Information)
NotebookLM decreased a shocking quantity of psychological fatigue. As a result of I ended making an attempt to maintain each challenge in my head. NotebookLM gave every matter its personal “psychological container.”
I created separate notebooks for story concepts, AI analysis, household stuff and long-term tasks. That means, the second one thing went into the pocket book, my mind stopped making an attempt to actively maintain onto it. And whereas that sounds dramatic, it genuinely modified my stress stage.
Since NotebookLM is obtainable throughout the Gemini AI cell app, it made it even simpler so as to add concepts on the go. A part of psychological overload comes from the sensation that info is piling up sooner than you possibly can course of it.
Utilizing NotebookLM’s Audio Overviews to catch up
(Picture credit score: Google)
NotebookLM’s Audio Overviews function gave me a hands-off alternative to catch up whereas I used to be driving, cleansing and even watching my son’s soccer sport. As a result of the instrument can generate podcast-style discussions out of your uploaded materials, it primarily turns dense notes into one thing you possibly can take heed to any time.
As an alternative of sitting all the way down to ‘catch up’ on studying, I began listening to summaries whereas doing different issues.
As an alternative of sitting all the way down to “catch up” on studying, I began listening to summaries whereas doing different issues. Immediately, the pile of knowledge felt manageable once more. I ended obsessing over organizing every part completely
Earlier than AI instruments like this, organizing info felt like a frightening process. From folders and infinite notes, I by no means had time to undergo all of it. However NotebookLM is admittedly good at discovering patterns even when your notes are messy. So as a substitute of spending power creating the right system, I targeted on merely capturing info.
The AI dealt with the retrieval later, which decreased an enormous quantity of invisible psychological nervousness that I used to be carrying.
The takeaway
I’ve examined and reviewed loads of AI instruments, however I hold coming again to NotebookLM for productiveness and group. It does a lot in a single platform. I went into this experiment anticipating a productiveness enhance, however I wasn’t anticipating how a lot lighter my mind would really feel by the top of the week.
NotebookLM didn’t magically take any work off my plate or make my private life any much less busy, however it did assist me manage my ideas to eradicate stress. For me, that is the place I’ve seen AI essentially the most helpful as of late. Leaning on AI instruments to not change me or automate jobs solely, however to assist with the duties that overwhelm me and scale back psychological weight.
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