How To Consume Content

Content is not a waste of time or attention if you’re asking questions.

On the journey of building a studio, I’ve been musing on how to activate myself. Lately, I've been wondering how to use what I read, watch, and hear to sharpen my understanding. With the abundance of information, it’s about being intentional—figuring out how to make information relational to yourself and your world.

The best advice we can learn from others isn’t always their answers—it’s the questions they have to ask to get to those answers. It’s not just about what the interviewee says (because their response is usually post-processing of their experience—, a TLDR). Instead, I take the host’s questions as an opportunity to learn.

I’m using the example of a podcast episode: She’s So Lucky Podcast, How To Create Your Dream Life, with Tricia Lee.

Steps

1. Choose a piece of media

Example: She’s So Lucky Podcast – How To Create Your Dream Life, with Tricia Lee.

2. Take your preferred note-taking tool

Mine: LEUCHTTURM1917

3. When a question is asked, take time to respond.

If a response interests you, reflect on whether you agree or disagree—and why.

Example

Les Alfred: What is your biggest driver?

Me: Freedom in expression, resources, and choices. The ability to expand and try new things. I hate when people tell me what to do.

Tricia: I think anger can be a good thing because I use anger to motivate me, to show and prove to myself that I can do things.

Me: My first immediate emotion is often anger, too, which can trigger me into action. However, I don’t always trust myself when I’m angry and sometimes shut down. It can block me from accessing my true needs.

Me: What would anger look like if it didn’t come at the cost of my needs?

It would mean I know what I need and can articulate it. I’d ask: Will this help or harm me? Does this align with my values and sense of worth?

Les Alfred: What environment do you create best in?

Me: I like light chaos. There’s a low energy hum in the background, but I’m can focus. It’s like both my current activity and subconscious are being fed.

Repeat until you lose interest.

90 minutes later, I’ve enjoyed a well-conducted interview, I’ve also walked away having learned a little more about myself.

Resources & Inspiration

• Learning How to Access Yourself – Amanda Seales, on Club Shea

• She’s So Lucky Podcast