It’s no secret that our daily commute can easily be the most annoying, and even time consuming part of our day. I’m sure we can all come up plenty of things we’d rather be doing rather than sitting in traffic or waiting on public transportation.
I recently read that the average commuting time in the United States was 25 minutes one way. So, it’s safe to say that plenty of people spend at least one hour per day commuting to and from their job. That statistic got me thinking about ways we could make our commute time more productive. After all, we all lead busy lives with packed schedules, so an extra hour each day could really add up.
While we all have different commuting lengths and modes of transportation, there are plenty of ways to make the most out of our daily commutes. Here are five ways to make your daily commute to work more productive.
Seek New Knowledge
A great way to pass time during your commute is by ramping up on new knowledge. Podcasts and audio books are a great source for learning new and interesting information. To find a Podcast that suits your needs check out Apple’s Podcast app or Google Play’s BeyondPod. If you’re not in front of the wheel during your commute, you can use that time to catch up on reading as well. Get comfortable with your newspaper, your favorite blogs, or even a good old fashioned book.
Take Time for Yourself
Our days can be so busy and packed with obligations that we don’t get adequate time to focus on ourselves throughout the day. Spare time during your commute can be the perfect opportunity to direct your attention inward on yourself. Consider using your commute as a chance to relax, be mindful, or practice gratitude. If you are taking public transportation or riding as a passenger, you could close your eyes and rest, meditate, or write in a journal. Additionally, listening to music is a wonderful method to help you relax or de-stress on your commute.
Catch up Time
We all could use a little extra time to catch up on a looming project or task. Use your commute to organize yourself and plan ahead. You can create your to-do list for the day or week, meal plan, or make your grocery list. Another idea is to dedicate your commute time to reach out to friends and family. If you’re driving you could use a hands-free device to call them, however if you’re not driving you could reach out via text, email, or even hand write them a note.
Work on Your Goals
It can be difficult to find time to devote to achieving your goals, especially when a large portion of your time is spent working and commuting. However, squeaking in time to work on your goals and other interests during your commute can be an efficient use of time. Use your commute time to plan out your goals, reflect on progress, and brainstorm new ideas. Some of my best ideas have come to me while I was making a long drive all by myself. I used my phone’s voice memo function to capture these thoughts and ideas as they come up.
Exercise
If you’re able to, commuting by foot or even by bike is a great way to get in a workout and stay active. By combining your commute and workout, you’ll free up even more time in your schedule!
How long is your commute to work? How do you pass the time?
Track All Your Accounts With Personal Capital
Personal Capital lets you see all of your accounts in one convenient place. Sign up now for free.
Latest posts by Mr. 4HWD (see all)
- How to Host a Frugal Graduation Party - April 28, 2015
- Side Hustling in Direct Sales - April 21, 2015
- 5 Cheap Vacation Ideas - April 14, 2015
Unfortunately I have a 45-minute driving commute. But listening to a podcast might make it less painful. I also take that time to reflect to myself, brainstorm blog post ideas and focus on the tasks I need to complete.
Chonce recently posted…Foods That Help You Keep a Low Grocery Budget