Chapter 1: Introduction to Voice-to-Text for Conversational Practice

While I have always enjoyed writing and note-taking, I've never found speaking to be as engaging. However, my struggles with conversational skills have led me to realize that this is a vital method of communication I need to enhance. Combining the practice of conversation with efficient note-taking seems like an ideal solution.

My curiosity for new note-taking methods and my fondness for innovative apps pushed me to explore a fascinating yet intimidating approach. Recently, I recorded my thoughts using the Otter.ai app, and after significant editing for clarity, I shared my results on Medium.

When I mention "editing," I mean that I essentially restructured everything—more on that later. This experience marked my initial venture into voice-to-text transcription, aimed at boosting my confidence in speaking while enriching my collection of notes.

In this video, "Notetaking with Otter AI," I delve into how using voice-to-text can enhance your notetaking skills while improving conversational abilities.

Chapter 2: The Genesis of Recording Speech

The idea of recording myself arose after my first coaching session, where my coach suggested I film myself to identify areas for improvement in my speech. "I just set up a Teams meeting with myself," he remarked. Being a musician, he regularly records himself to refine his technique. I appreciate the concept, yet I felt that video might be a step too far.

Video encompasses a multitude of sensory elements—visual, auditory, and emotional. I would have to consider sound, lighting, setting, and even my attire. While it's not a requirement, anyone with a perfectionist streak like mine feels compelled to ensure everything is just right.

Conversational settings often occur in varied environments—hallways, stores, trains, and social gatherings—where distractions abound. I needed a more manageable approach to face the challenge of self-critique without the overwhelming nature of video.

Chapter 3: Utilizing Voice-to-Text for Note-taking

I had always thought about recording voice memos to speed up my writing, but the idea of simultaneously recording and transcribing my voice never crossed my mind until I discovered Otter.ai. This app presented a balanced solution, allowing me to address my fears while minimizing sensory overload.

The timing was perfect—I chose to fold a large pile of laundry, a mundane task that provided a gentle distraction. Suddenly, I was not just achieving two objectives but three!

In the video "Otter Ai for Notetaking 2024," I share how this app can transform your note-taking practices while honing your speech skills.

Chapter 4: The Initial Experience

Initially, recording myself felt somewhat silly—sitting on my bedroom floor, attempting to articulate my thoughts while folding laundry. After about five minutes, I began to find my rhythm, but the oddity of the situation lingered.

I noticed that I spoke slowly, partly to ensure Otter.ai accurately captured my words and partly to establish a coherent flow. This contrasts with the fast-paced nature of real conversations, where quick exchanges often overwhelm me.

I hope that by regularly speaking to myself, I can eventually increase my speed and coherence in communication.

Chapter 5: Benefits of Voice-to-Text

I recognized several advantages to this method of enhancing my speech and writing skills:

• I generated around 1,800 words in just 13 minutes.
• Otter.ai effectively transcribes English speech and integrates with applications like Obsidian.
• The mundane task of folding laundry became more engaging.
• Speaking slowly allowed me to focus on my delivery.
• I could replay the recordings to analyze my speech patterns, discovering that I often ended my sentences on a rising note, making me sound uncertain. This realization led me to consciously lower my tone at the end of sentences, which felt unusual but necessary.
• I practiced my conversational skills effectively.
• It served as a useful tool for transcribing notes.
• Listening to my own voice helped me become more accustomed to it (despite my dislike for the sound).

Chapter 6: Challenges of Voice-to-Text

While the drawbacks were minimal, they were noteworthy:

• The extensive editing required meant that writing a blog post wasn’t quicker than traditional methods. Essentially, I ended up writing a different article rather than a polished piece.
• Mastery of this technique requires substantial practice before it can replace my usual typing.
• I could only use this method when alone in the house.

Chapter 7: Aiming for Multiple Goals

Perhaps I was overly ambitious, thinking I could simultaneously improve my conversational skills, produce a blog post, and fold my laundry. In reality, I ended up with laundry that was not entirely sorted, less useful notes, and the realization that I might not have been entirely focused on enhancing my conversational abilities.

Despite that, I learned valuable lessons along the way.

Chapter 8: Experimenting with AI Assistance

In my quest for coherence, I decided to input my "chat note" into ChatGPT, hoping it would restructure my thoughts into something more articulate. Although the exercise was intriguing, it proved slow and didn't meet my expectations, even after numerous attempts to refine the prompt.

Notion AI performed better, but I found its third-person perspective less appealing:

"This transcript delves into the speaker’s experience of attempting to hone their conversational aptitude by talking to themselves while folding laundry..."

I realize that my tendency for long sentences needs refinement!

Ultimately, while voice transcription was a promising first step toward enhancing my conversational skills, I recognize the need for improvement in structuring my notes. This may be my first experience with voice transcription, but it certainly won't be my last.

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