“Your diet is more than what you eat.“
This quote is one of the most impactful statements that has shaped my thoughts, ideas, choices and lifestyle. I realized this statement is true of everything we consume, including food, information, experiences, emotions and relationships. Strangely, technology impacts our body and mind. As a young business professional, one of the few habits I had was aimlessly scrolling social media in my free time. This became a distraction from tasks I needed to complete. But these apps relieved me from the guilt of aimless scrolling.
However, once I became conscious of this habit, I wanted to create one that would be beneficial for me to stop aimlessly scrolling and find something that stimulates my mind. As an avid researcher, writer and businessman, I wanted to utilize digital applications that offer learning and cognitive exercises that test my memory, critical thinking, numerical reasoning and overall IQ — attributes needed to operate and conduct business. Upon researching apps, I found three that turn the habit of mindless scrolling into micro-learning.
Headway
Headway launched Oct. 1, 2019. The app offers 15 minute book summaries of over 1,500 best-selling nonfiction books, concisely explaining primary ideas, concepts and purpose. In addition, Headway provides a myriad of topics, such as personal development, career and business, psychology and philosophy, relationships, health and fitness and creativity and innovation. Users also have the option to either read or listen to the audio version of the book, allowing more accessible options of how they would like to receive information. As individuals create their accounts, Headway will ask critical questions to understand users’ likes and inclinations to create personalized recommendations.
Reading, the most fundamental concept of life and business, is critical for comprehension, understanding and learning. In addition, reading enhances overall communication, intellectual development and interpersonal communication. After researching apps that offer cognitive activities, I found Headway to be the perfect app for micro-reading and practical learning.
Moreover, upon creating your account, Headway will ask questions to better understand what users seek and curate personalized recommendations based on an individual’s interests. With concise personalization, users are consistently exposed to engaging and exciting subjects that will make their learning experience immersive and alluring.
Headway has three unique features: a progress tracking tool, daily insights and motivational quotes and an audio feature that allows users to listen on the go or while they multitask. Headway’s progress tracking tool allows users to visualize their learning progress, daily streaks, goals and updates on their learning journey.
Moreover, aside from learning, the Headway app offers daily insights with insightful tips and motivational quotes to keep users engaged and continually eager to learn and self-develop. The greatest asset of Headway is the ability to learn on the move both productively and successfully. Whether commuting, waiting in line or taking a break, you can use Headway to make the most of your time and learn something new. This makes learning more accessible and convenient, fitting perfectly into your busy lifestyle.
Headway offers three subscription plans based on users’ preferences and budgets.
- Monthly Subscription: $12.99 per month.
- Quarterly Subscription: $29.99 every three months.
- Annual Subscription: $89.99 per year.
Cerebrum IQ
Cognitive skills are essential for business professionals in the dynamic business world propelled by rapid technological advancements. Cognitive skills directly influence problem-solving, decision-making, adaptability and emotional intelligence. It is essential for business professionals to continually develop and enhance cognition to stay sharp and effectively communicate, collaborate and maintain innovative strategies.
Cerebrum IQ, launched April 1, is a great web-based application for neuro-training exercises. Cerebrum IQ offers various interactive IQ tests that evaluate an individual’s cognitive abilities, such as logical reasoning, memory, pattern recognition, problem-solving, reaction and speed. Cerebrum’s IQ testing measures an individuals’ IQ through a series of questions.
Once the user completes their IQ test, they will receive a personalized IQ score that allows them to review their cognitive strengths, weaknesses and abilities that need improvement. After receiving IQ results, users have the choice of games or puzzles to enhance their weaknesses and amplify their strengths. It has a user-friendly user interface to access their IQ scores, choose cognitive tests and track their progress. Cerebrum IQ effectively harnesses micro learning principles to enhance cognitive skills, cognitive assessments and training in one platform.
Cerebrum IQ offers a seven-day trial period for 99 cents; after the trial, the cost is $19.99 per week.
Medium
Medium is an online publishing platform launched Aug.15, 2012 — a simplistic web-based and digital application for individuals wanting to broaden their knowledge through micro-reading. It provides users with innumerable, concise and reader-friendly articles, enabling them to quickly absorb and retain information.
Medium also has a broad spectrum of topics ranging from business to art, science, technology, marketing, psychology, life and film — virtually any topic of interest. Not only can users read articles, but they can also highlight and annotate stories, which helps with retention and engage with multimedia such as videos, images and interactive content to make reading and learning more immersive. It also has curated collections that help users explore numerous topics of interest. Medium’s tagging system allows users to find content quickly which enhances targeted learning. The most compelling feature of Medium is community engagement, where users can interact with writers and readers, creating a sense of community and collaborative learning.
Aside from users being able to read articles, users can also write stories to enhance their communication, creativity, critical thinking, mental clarity and personal development.
Users can add Medium for free; however, they will only have limited access to three free articles and unlimited blog posts. There are two subscription plans to access every perspective in Medium.
- Monthly Membership: This plan costs $5 per month and provides unlimited, ad-free access to all stories on Medium. Readers can enjoy content without any limitations.
- Annual Membership: Medium’s yearly subscription plan is available for $50 per year offers the same benefits as the monthly plan but package at a cheaper rate.
Conclusion
Hemingway, Cerebrum IQ and Medium, are digital applications that can be used for individuals to recreate their digital habits and devote screen time to developing personally and professionally as opposed to aimlessly consuming frivolous content. Using productivity apps can amplify their cognitive skills and enhance and broaden their intellect and knowledge while personally developing through micro-learning.
Creating a deliberate effort to use digital applications that make meaningful engagements changes our digital experiences and contributes positively to our personal and professional development. Creating a deliberate effort to use digital applications that make meaningful engagements changes our digital experiences and contributes positively to our personal and professional development. Replacing aimless scrolling with purposeful scrolling and learning is in the power of our fingertips and makes our digital consumption vibrant and healthier.
Featured image: Photo by Yura Fresh on Unsplash
Edited by James Sutton
