5 methods I’ve turned NotebookLM into my digital mind

NotebookLM has develop into an actual game-changer in the way in which I analysis and put together. As a contract author, I do not all the time have the luxurious of sitting with a subject for days earlier than a deadline. I can write about my very own expertise with one thing, however usually I would like dependable background analysis rapidly — sufficient to spherical out the story with out disappearing down countless rabbit holes.

NotebookLM swoops in perfecting to provide me context, different individuals’s views, and a common understanding of the matters I am masking — all in a fraction of the time it will take me to sift by web site after web site by myself. The Audio Overviews have been particularly helpful. I can let the AI-generated podcast run whereas I am making breakfast, driving, or simply stepping away from my desk. The power to maintain absorbing materials with out being tied to my laptop computer has saved me numerous hours.

Over time, I’ve even began weaving it into my private life. I’ve used NotebookLM to streamline time administration, manage family analysis tasks, and make sense of lengthy articles or movies with out having to dedicate a full night to them. Listed here are a few of my favourite methods to make use of the device.

1

Establishing a funds for my funds

I would like all the assistance I can get

I will be the primary to confess I am not probably the most organized in terms of budgeting or planning for my monetary future. Saving constantly has by no means been my robust swimsuit, and I’ve all the time struggled with discovering a budgeting system that really sticks. However NotebookLM got here in useful with this activity; I uploaded a number of free budgeting guides and instruments I might collected over time and had it summarize them for me.

I afterward made a funds and uploaded it as a PDF and had it analyzed to see if I used to be lacking something, plus the right way to finest use it going ahead. It did not fairly give me opinions on how mine appeared, but it surely did word that I calculated one thing incorrectly, serving to me alter the funds. What was essential was the prompts that I gave it, as I requested it to research my funds primarily based on the period of time I wanted and the way a lot I make.

2

Planning an itinerary for a visit

It was an enormous assist to focus on a number of the greater points of interest

My spouse and I lately took a visit to Scotland for a good friend’s marriage ceremony. We knew we would be flying into Edinburgh, heading to Glasgow, after which persevering with on to the coast for the marriage. With a number of days to fill earlier than the ceremony, we would have liked to determine one of the simplest ways to spend our time. I uploaded a mixture of journey blogs and official golf course web sites to get a way of what was price seeing.

A easy immediate — asking it to plan a number of days of journey from Edinburgh to Stranraer — pulled up tons of nice suggestions. Planning the journey was straightforward and enjoyable, and I did not have to cross-check all the things in Google Maps. NotebookLM adopted the route I wanted primarily based on the immediate alone. I am undoubtedly involved in utilizing it to plan extra journeys sooner or later.

3

Studying a brand new ability with Thoughts Map

Why not let NotebookLM give me a breakdown on the right way to do one thing?

In relation to automotive upkeep, I don’t know the very first thing about it. Automobiles have by no means actually me as a interest, and I am more than pleased to let a mechanic deal with something that goes incorrect. However after my final oil change solely took about 20 minutes, I figured — why not attempt it myself and save slightly cash? I pulled collectively a number of sources from the web, together with a YouTube tutorial and a few web sites, and had NotebookLM generate a brand new Pocket book on the right way to change my oil.

I used NotebookLM’s Thoughts Map function to interrupt down the steps — what instruments I might want, the right way to increase my automotive (if attainable), and what prep work was required earlier than really getting began. Seeing all the things mapped out intimately gave me a a lot clearer understanding of the method. What I actually appreciated was having the ability to add my automotive’s handbook alongside the web data, so I may see precisely the right way to change the oil for my particular automobile. Except for spilling slightly oil from carelessness, my first try went simply high quality.

4

Watching a video to know historical past higher

I wished to know extra, and NotebookLM made it straightforward

I am inherently fascinated by baseball. I really like the sport and contemplate myself a junkie in terms of studying about stats and its historical past. Currently, I have been particularly within the historical past of the Negro Leagues, so I requested NotebookLM to dive deeper into it. I uploaded content material from the Negro Leagues Baseball Museum, MLB.com’s Negro Leagues part, and Historical past.com’s protection to get began. Then I attempted one thing new: I requested it to make me a video.

The brand new Video Overview function took slightly time to generate, but it surely produced a six-minute AI-created video on the historical past of the Negro Leagues. I used to be pleasantly stunned — it lined the broad strokes of how the league started, together with deeper evaluation of its success. I additionally appreciated having the ability to obtain and share the video, which made it simpler to rewatch or cross alongside to others.

5

Watching a film for me in a a lot shorter time

Generally I simply can’t do it

I used to be lately having an argument with somebody about one of the best prepare scenes in motion pictures. I listed Supply Code as my private favourite because it’s largely set on a prepare. They introduced up Bullet Practice, which I hadn’t seen. I wished to raised perceive what they had been referencing — particularly the ending, which was a giant level in our debate.

I discovered some clips from Bullet Practice on YouTube and loaded them into NotebookLM. Inside seconds, I had a database to tug from. It summarized the scenes, together with the ending, and gave me a clearer image of the film. Is that this the perfect option to expertise a movie? No — I did not get the complete visible influence. However did it assist me perceive the plot sooner than studying a Wikipedia abstract? Positively — and with extra element, since NotebookLM analyzed the visuals. It isn’t how I plan to observe motion pictures going ahead, however within the warmth of an argument, it undoubtedly got here in useful.