Unlocking the Secrets of Medium: A Guide to Efficient Reading
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Chapter 1: The Challenge of Information Overload
Recently, I found humor in a conversation my fiancée was having. In the midst of discussing various topics, she confidently stated,
"Indonesia has the largest Muslim population in the world."
Just a week earlier, she had expressed skepticism when I shared this same fact, but now she was repeating it as if she had always known.
It’s amusing how quickly we absorb information, especially when it comes from reliable sources. While I stand by my fact, with Indonesia leading in Muslim population followed closely by India, it highlights how we both actively seek knowledge related to our careers and interests.
Confession: I sometimes struggle to define my own interests, as the wealth of information available can be applied in numerous ways. Time, however, remains my biggest hurdle. But let’s get back to my reading hack!
Section 1.1: Diving into Medium's Rich Content
Medium has become one of my go-to platforms for exploring a vast array of information. With over 175,000 writers contributing approximately 1,385,000 articles monthly (according to J.J. Pryor, a writer for Medium), I can find insights and directly connect with experts in almost any field.
Yet, as I prepare to delve into a captivating article, I often notice the "Read Time" indicator at the top. An article that takes four minutes to read is manageable, but five minutes or more? That’s when I start to hesitate.
Section 1.2: Utilizing Medium's Features for Better Reading
Initially, I discovered a somewhat cumbersome workaround. Medium allows users to create public or private Read Lists, which I have utilized extensively. I’ve curated a couple of public lists, like "Productivity: Living Life in 10-Minute Chunks," and a monthly collection of standout articles titled “Top Reads of [Month, Year].”
For those longer articles I couldn’t commit to reading right away, I would save them to my general "Read List" and promise myself to revisit them later. This method was helpful but not the most efficient.
Chapter 2: Transforming Articles into Audio
Recently, Medium introduced an automatic “Listen” function for all articles via the Speechify app. This innovation made me realize I could create a dedicated Long Reads Listen List!
While the solution isn’t perfect—there's currently no option to create a playlist—I remain hopeful that Medium will enhance this feature in the future. It would be beneficial for everyone involved, creating a win-win situation.
For those of you following my Personal Productivity Hacks series, I invite you to witness this hack evolve alongside my writing journey. Now, as I tend to my cats in the evening, I can simply press play on my Medium Long Reads Listen List.
The first video titled "7 Hacks I Learned from Posting 1,700 Stories as a Top Writer on Medium" offers valuable insights into effective writing and content management, which can enhance your Medium experience.
The second video, "Use this hack to read medium articles for free!" provides clever tips on accessing Medium's content without barriers, making it easier to enjoy your reading.
TLDR:
To tackle those Medium Long Reads that pique your interest:
- Create a dedicated Long Reads list.
- Find a routine moment in your day for mundane tasks.
- Hit play and enjoy!
Mentioned in this article: Pew Research: Largest Muslim Populations around the World, Medium Writer J.J. Pryor
Feel free to join me on Twitter (iCatMilton) for chats and discussions—I'm always open to connecting!