City Livin’: How to Make the Best Use of Your Commute to Work
Most people agree that commuting to work can be a timewaster. New research shows Americans that commute to work end up late 77 days a year on average. The average daily commute time is around 35 minutes a day and costs about $83 a week. While many of us spend a significant amount of that time stuck in traffic, for those able to take the train or bus, that time can be spent productively.
Making the Most of Your Morning Commute
Reading or listening to a podcast are two easy ways to make the most of your morning commute. It’s a good time to learn a new language, catch up on news, or just expand your knowledge on a topic.
If you’re driving, there’s always Audible to keep your mind occupied or perhaps take away any road rage you might feel. It’s a good time to make a hands-free phone call if you can keep your eyes on the road where they belong.
But if you live in an urban area, you’re likely taking the train, subway, or other public transportation to work. Taking that extra time to improve yourself by studying for a class could be a good use of your commute time.
It’s also a good time to practice brain games or crossword puzzles to improve your memory and sharpen your mind.
There are also dozens of apps out there to help you get organized. For example:
- Microsoft To Do is a great app for getting organized and setting plans and goals for the day. While making your to do list on paper is one thing, this app has functionality that allows you to share your list with others with simple drag and drop features, set alerts, and much more.
- Evernote is an old standby for note-taking that works great for task organization. It has a nice voice recording function, too.
If you have connectivity, it’s a good time to get a jump-start on your email inbox for a more satisfying start to your day. You could use the time to catch up on your social networks by engaging, posting, and sharing news.
However, some people prefer to take the time to work on personal projects or just to sip coffee and think about what’s ahead. Mentally preparing for work while sitting on the train can make you more productive. You can use the time to meditate or practice ways to calm the mind, practices some deep breathing, and just be in the moment.
Public transportation can also allow you to take a 10 or 15-minute power nap before grabbing a latte on your last leg to the office. Try putting in headphones, setting your alarm and closing your eyes for a moment.
You could even use your commute time to apply for new positions that interest you. Taking the travel time to reach out to a recruiter and share your resume will give you a leg up on a job search. The Custom Group of Companies is standing by to help you find a new job. Contact us today.
