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 at all times have the posh of sitting with a subject for days earlier than a deadline. I can write about my very own expertise with one thing, however typically I want dependable background analysis shortly — sufficient to spherical out the story with out disappearing down countless rabbit holes.

NotebookLM swoops in perfecting to offer me context, different folks’s views, and a normal understanding of the matters I am masking — all in a fraction of the time it might take me to sift by means of website after website 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 flexibility 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, arrange family analysis initiatives, 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 price range for my funds

I want all the assistance I can get

I will be the primary to confess I am not essentially the most organized on the subject of budgeting or planning for my monetary future. Saving constantly has by no means been my sturdy go well with, and I’ve at all times struggled with discovering a budgeting system that truly sticks. However NotebookLM got here in useful with this job; I uploaded a couple of free budgeting guides and instruments I might collected over time and had it summarize them for me.

I afterward made a price range and uploaded it as a PDF and had it analyzed to see if I used to be lacking something, plus the best way to finest use it going ahead. It did not fairly give me opinions on how mine regarded, nevertheless it did notice that I calculated one thing incorrectly, serving to me regulate the price range. What was vital was the prompts that I gave it, as I requested it to investigate my price range 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 among the greater points of interest

My spouse and I lately took a visit to Scotland for a pal’s marriage ceremony. We knew we might be flying into Edinburgh, heading to Glasgow, after which persevering with on to the coast for the marriage. With a couple 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 value seeing.

A easy immediate — asking it to plan a couple 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 must cross-check all the things in Google Maps. NotebookLM adopted the route I wanted primarily based on the immediate alone. I am positively considering utilizing it to plan extra journeys sooner or later.

3

Studying a brand new talent with Thoughts Map

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

In the case of automotive upkeep, I don’t know the very first thing about it. Vehicles have by no means actually me as a passion, and I am very happy to let a mechanic deal with something that goes unsuitable. However after my final oil change solely took about 20 minutes, I figured — why not strive it myself and save a little bit cash? I pulled collectively a couple of assets from the web, together with a YouTube tutorial and a few web sites, and had NotebookLM generate a brand new Pocket book on the best way to change my oil.

I used NotebookLM’s Thoughts Map characteristic to interrupt down the steps — what instruments I might want, the best way to increase my automotive (if potential), and what prep work was required earlier than truly getting began. Seeing all the things mapped out intimately gave me a a lot clearer understanding of the method. What I actually favored was having the ability to add my automotive’s guide alongside the net data, so I may see precisely the best way to change the oil for my particular automobile. Apart from spilling a little bit oil from carelessness, my first try went simply tremendous.

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 like the sport and contemplate myself a junkie on the subject 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 characteristic took a little bit time to generate, nevertheless it produced a six-minute AI-created video on the historical past of the Negro Leagues. I used to be pleasantly shocked — it coated 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

Typically I simply can’t do it

I used to be lately having an argument with somebody about the most effective prepare scenes in films. I listed Supply Code as my private favourite because it’s principally set on a prepare. They introduced up Bullet Prepare, which I hadn’t seen. I wished to raised perceive what they have been referencing — particularly the ending, which was an enormous level in our debate.

I discovered some clips from Bullet Prepare 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 technique to expertise a movie? No — I did not get the total visible impression. However did it assist me perceive the plot sooner than studying a Wikipedia abstract? Undoubtedly — and with extra element, since NotebookLM analyzed the visuals. It is not how I plan to observe films going ahead, however within the warmth of an argument, it positively got here in useful.