Commuting to work is a part of life for many working professionals. Whether it’s by car, public transportation, or even walking, the time spent commuting can be quite significant.
However, with a little bit of planning and creativity, this time can be used productively. In this article, we will explore five ways to use commute time more productively, such as preparing for the day ahead, reading or listening, learning a new skill, getting to know someone, and catching up on sleep.
Using Commute Time More Productively
Preparing for the Day Ahead
One of the most common ways to use commute time productively is by preparing for the day ahead. This can include practicing speeches or presentations.
If you have an important meeting, interview, or presentation, using your commute time to practice can help build confidence and improve delivery. You can also use this time to plan your day, organize your to-do list, or even meal plan and grocery shop.
Reading or Listening
If you’re commuting by public transportation, carpool, or even walking, you can use this time to catch up on reading or listening. Whether it’s a book, audiobook, or podcast, commuting can be the perfect opportunity to learn something new or escape into a story.
You can also use this time to stay updated on industry news, listen to educational lectures, or even learn a new language.
Learning a New Skill
Why not use your commute time to learn a new skill? Whether it’s crocheting, knitting, or even playing a musical instrument, commuting can be the perfect time to tap into your creative side.
You can also use this time to improve your memory by using memory-enhancing apps or learning a new language.
Getting to Know Someone
Commuting can be a great time to get to know someone better. If you’re carpooling, you can use this time to have a conversation and learn more about your co-worker or friend.
If you’re commuting alone, you can use this time to call friends or family members and catch up on life.
Catching Up on Sleep
Lastly, commuting can be a great opportunity to catch up on some much-needed sleep. If you have a long commute and are able to nap, setting an alarm can ensure that you don’t oversleep and miss your stop.
Even a catnap can help to improve your mood and energy levels for the day ahead.
Conclusion
In conclusion, commuting to work doesn’t have to be a wasted opportunity. By using your commute time productively, you can improve your skills, knowledge, and even relationships.
So, whether you practice speeches, read, learn a new skill, get to know someone, or catch up on sleep, there are endless possibilities to make your commute more meaningful. Commuting to work can often feel like a necessary evil.
However, what if we could use this time to learn, grow or improve ourselves? That’s where the productivity sweet spot lies, and reading and listening are activities that can help get us there.
Reading List
Reading books is a fantastic way to expand your mind, and fortunately, it’s never been easier to do so during your daily commute. For those who prefer physical copies, a local library is an excellent option that provides access to free books.
However, if you prefer to read digitally, an ebook reader can easily contain a vast collection of books. One option to consider is diving into the “100 Best Books of All Time” list.
These classics have withstood the test of time, and you may learn something new by reading books that have inspired generations. You could also get book recommendations from “The Daily,” The New York Times’ award-winning podcast which recommends books frequently.
Audio Options
For many people, listening to something while commuting is preferable to reading. CDs, iPods, podcasts, and audiobooks are the mediums that fit the bill, and the options available are endless.
Podcasts are a popular option as there’s a show for every interest. NPR’s diverse offerings are a great example of this, with topics ranging from news, culture, and politics.
For those with an interest in classic literature, LibroVox is a public domain audiobook app that offers free recordings of works of classic literature. Audio-based learning needn’t always involve books and literature.
There’s an abundance of online courses and educational resources that you can explore while commuting. Websites such as Udemy and Coursera offer courses in various disciplines for anyone looking to learn new skills.
Hands-on Learning
Experiencing things firsthand can be an exciting and enriching way to learn, and crochet is a great example of a skill that can be learned through hands-on learning. It’s a craft that has been around for centuries, and many find it to be a meditative and relaxing activity.
The Craft Yarn Council has several tutorials available that can help beginners get started. These tutorials cover everything from basic stitches to creating complex structures.
Once you have a handle on this new skill, there are numerous patterns online that you can use to hone your new skill.
Boosting Brainpower
If you’re looking to sharpen your mind, there are many apps available that can aid in the process. Lumosity is a cognitive training app that uses games to improve specific parts of the brain.
The app claims that just a few minutes of playing each day can be a valuable addition to your route to brain improvement. Memory-enhancing apps are also a popular option.
These apps provide games aimed at improving memory. Users play games involving images, numbers, and words, which the app then provides feedback on, helping improve your memory retention and recall.
Language Learning
Learning a new language can be a daunting task, but using your commute to practice can make the process both easy and enjoyable. FSI Language Courses are available for free downloads and cater to a range of languages.
The courses are produced by the United States Government to train its officials, and as a result, are incredibly comprehensive. Another option for those looking to adopt a new language is to download MP3 files.
These files can be listened to while commuting, and most language courses offer MP3 downloads. These downloads enable a learner to access their learning material from anywhere.
Conclusion
The time spent commuting doesn’t have to be unproductive. Reading, learning, and even remaining engaged in learning activities can make use of time that would otherwise be wasted.
Hands-on learning and language practice can be exciting additions to your daily routine, while cognitive training and memory-enhancing apps are tools that can sharpen your mind. Use your commute time productively and reap the benefits of personal growth in the long run.
For many people, their daily commute is spent alone in their cars or crammed into public transportation. But just because you’re surrounded by strangers doesn’t mean you can’t make a new connection.
Whether it be with a stranger on the train or carpooling with a colleague, there are plenty of opportunities to get to know someone during your commute.
Starting a Conversation
Starting a conversation with someone you don’t know can be intimidating, but the pay-off of building new connections is worth it. The easiest way to start a conversation is to find common ground or interests.
This could be anything from asking someone about the book they’re reading to commenting on an article of clothing they’re wearing. Another option for starting a conversation is to find a natural transition point, like at transit stops.
Getting on and off of the subway, bus, or train presents an opportune moment to strike up a dialogue. For instance, if you’re commuting at the same time with someone else every day, you might ask about their route and what they like and dislike about it.
Talking about current events is also a go-to conversation starter that can help establish common ground and even lead to a vibrant discussion that extends throughout the commute.
Phone Calls
Phone calls can be an excellent way to make use of idle time during your commute, but they can be challenging to navigate in a crowded environment or on public transportation with others around. Making and answering phone calls during the commute could create an awkward space because your conversation is being heard by others on the bus, for example.
One solution is to step out on a bus stop and have your conversation there. It can also help to adjust the volume and tone of the conversation.
Keep it quiet so that others around you won’t feel like they’re intruding on your personal conversation.
Using Bluetooth
If you’re driving to work, The safety and legality of phone calls can be a different concern. However, using Bluetooth technology can make the process much easier.
Many modern cars these days come equipped with Bluetooth connectivity, which enables phone calls to be conducted hands-free. Setting conversation time limits may also help to ensure that the conversation remains on track and is respectful of everyone’s time.
Agreeing to a specific time frame for your conversation could help you remain focused and ensure that work commitments are not compromised or that others feel comfortable that they won’t be involved in a conversation that lasts the entire ride.
Conclusion
The act of getting to know someone on your commute can be a rewarding experience. Small talk can help make that important first connection that will foster a new professional relationship or even transform into something more substantial.
There are many ways in which the ice can be broken, such as finding common interests or embracing transitions as they happen. With phone conversations and conversations over Bluetooth, finding the right balance and allowing for flexibility is crucial.
With a little bit of forethought, patience, and some initiative, you can warm up a cold commute and use your time productively to improve your social life. In conclusion, commuting can be an unproductive and boring part of the day, but we’ve explored five ways to make the most of your travel time.
Preparing for the day ahead, reading or listening, learning a new skill, getting to know someone, and catching up on sleep are all activities that can contribute to personal growth and personal connections. Reading and listening are great for expanding your knowledge, while hands-on learning and language practice can be exciting additions to your daily routine.
Starting conversations and phone calls can help build new connections and can be navigated respectfully. With a little bit of planning, creativity, and social initiative, your daily commute can be a time of learning, growth, and perhaps even friendship.