The daily commute is a time of day that many people dread. The commute can be long and tedious, whether you’re driving, taking public transportation, or biking to work. However, it doesn’t have to be!
The average American spends about 101 minutes on the road each day, equating to nearly an entire working day. If you’re dreading those hours of sitting in traffic or on a train, then we have some tips that might make it more productive for you! These six tips will help increase your productivity when you’re commuting.
1. Listening to Audiobooks or Podcasts
Listening to an audiobook can be a great way to pass the time if you’re stuck in traffic. You can also listen to podcasts if you prefer. This will keep your mind occupied and allow you to learn new things or catch up on the news. You can also use this time to listen to a self-improvement audiobook that might help you reach your goals.
If you’re taking public transportation, try zoning out and tuning the world around you out as much as possible. Listening to music or an audiobook is definitely one way to do this! You could even catch up on some reading if you have a book with you.
2. Plan Out Your Day
If you have a long commute, it’s an excellent opportunity to plan out your day. This includes planning out what you’ll wear, what you’ll eat for breakfast and lunch, and what tasks you need to accomplish that day. Having a plan will help reduce stress and make your day feel more organized.
Plus, if you’re able to accomplish some tasks on your way to work, you’ll be that much closer to reaching your goals! Try using a planner or productivity app to help you plan out your day. Or, simply use a notebook and pen.
3. Check Your Email and Social Media Accounts
This one might not be for everyone, but if you’re able to resist the temptation, checking your email and social media accounts can be a great way to use your commute. This is especially true if you have some downtime – like when you’re on a train or bus. Checking your accounts once in the morning and once in the afternoon might be all you need.
If this doesn’t work for you, try using an app like Freedom to help block your social media and email accounts during certain times of the day or week. You can also download a self-control app that will keep you from reaching to check those apps on your phone! Or, use airplane mode to shut off your phone completely.
4. Brainstorm Ideas
If you’re someone that’s constantly coming up with new ideas, use the commute to your advantage! This is a great time to clear out some space in your mind and let the creativity flow. Try using a pen and paper or an app like Evernote to jot down any random thoughts or ideas as they come into focus. You can even use this time to come up with new blog post ideas or business ideas.
5. Learn a Language
If you’re looking for a way to make your commute more productive, learning a new language is a great option! This can be done with any app that can help you learn a new language at your own pace.
You could also use this time to practice the language you’re already learning. Learning a new language can be challenging, but it’s definitely worth it in the end. Plus, you’ll be able to use that language in a lot of different situations!
6. Listen to Music
Listening to music can be a great way to pass the time on your commute! If you’re stuck in traffic, it’s also one of the best ways to stay awake. You could even try using this time as an opportunity to learn about new bands or artists that are similar to what you already like.
If you have some downtime when you’re on the bus or train, try listening to something calming. This could be classical music, nature sounds, or even just silence. Experiment and see what works best for you!
We hope these tips help make your commute a little more productive! You can even take a look at the infographics below by Motor1 to find some more tips and do’s and don’ts to make your commute more productive!
Bio:
Md Umar Khan is the SEO Executive at Wild Idea Marketing. He loves writing about marketing, entrepreneurship, and technology. In his free time, he loves to play video games.
