As early as the 1920s, people were using seminars and books on tape to learn more and better themselves. Great minds of the 20th century like Napoleon Hill, Dale Carnegie and Earl Nightingale recorded their speeches and talks — they’ve been heard by millions of people since then. Millions of people have been helped by their timeless words.
Today books on tape have largely been replaced with audiobooks, like the ones offered at Audible. You can now play your book of choice on your cellphone, iPad, tablet or laptop. Audible also offers audiobooks for free to new users who have an Amazon account. Here are five reasons why I think this new technology is such a great tool for the 21st century. I believe modern audiobooks will help millions more people succeed and have better lives in this and future generations.
- Audiobooks help people who aren’t the best readers.
It’s estimated that approximately 32 million adults in the United States have trouble reading or never learned how. Audiobooks allow this group of people to absorb information and get motivation by simply listening to a speaking voice. It’s almost like sitting in a lecture hall listening to a professor teach (but at a very tiny fraction of the tuition cost of course).
- Audiobooks give your eyes a much-needed rest.
In the course of an average day, how often are your eyes looking at a computer screen or straining to read small printed words? eBooks can be the most tiring on the eyes because of the bright light from your e-reader’s screen. Audiobooks give your eyes a break — instead of scanning a page, you can close your eyes and allow the message or story to enter your mind.
- Listening to an audiobook allows you to multitask.
One of my favorite things about audiobooks is that I can multitask while “reading.” Whenever it’s time to vacuum my home or go on a long drive, I have my Audible audiobook queued up and ready to go. Since it’s on my cellphone, I can just plug it into my car with an auxiliary cord and press play.
- Audiobooks are good for the environment.
As much as I love the feeling of having a physical book in my hand at times and turning the pages, I can’t deny how much printed books use up paper and ink resources. My office is full of books that I’ve read and probably will never read again. With an audiobook you can consume a book once if you want, then close it and it’s stored in digital memory. If you ever want to tidy up your “library” you can just delete old books from your accounts digital storage when you want. The more people who opt for online audiobooks, the less demand for paper, which will eventually lead to more trees saved each year. If you are passionate about the Green movement or need a new initiative for your group, encourage audiobooks as an alternative way to read.
- Audiobooks are a source of relaxation and inspiration.
There are some audiobooks that I love to play over and over again simply because of the narrator’s voice. The voice of an audiobook narrator can soothe you to sleep (for me, that’s Louise Hay and Rhonda Byrne) or inspire you to action (Les Brown and Earl Nightingale). You just sit or lay back, put your headphones on and enjoy. I like to listen to a good audiobook first thing when I get up in the morning — that way I start off the day with a positive or relaxed mindset.
These reasons and more are why I’m passionate about spreading the word about the benefits of reading audio books. I use Audible because they’re an Amazon company and I can login using my Amazon account. They also have a convenient app for my Android phone and gave me a free audiobook when I first signed up for the service.
If you have trouble reading books or finding the time and motivation to read, try an audiobook today. Reading a new online audio book each month can educate, entertain, motivate and inspire you to get to a better place in your life, as it has done for me.
Posted by Lynn
Lynn is a guest blogger on LOH and the author of a popular motivational audiobook for women entitled Why Doesn’t He Love Me?
