Making the Most of Your Daily Commute

Oh, the joys of your daily commute. Sitting in bumper-to-bumper traffic, inching along at a snail’s pace, and wondering how many hours you’re going to be stuck in your car.

I wanted to take a moment to tell you that your drive to work doesn’t have to be a complete waste of time. It can be the perfect opportunity to do a few things that you might not have time for otherwise. If you’ve read any of my past blogs, you know that I’m all about productivity, so it shouldn’t be a shock that I’m offering up ways to be productive while driving to/from work.

Here are 5 ideas to make the most of those travel hours: 

1. Learn a New Language. Sure, you might be stuck at that traffic light for what feels like forever (seriously….why does it stay red for so long?), but that doesn’t mean you can’t make some progress on your Spanish or French (o nel mio caso, Italian!). Just pop in a language-learning CD or turn on a language-learning app, and before you know it, you’ll be speaking like a native! Duolingo is my current app of choice and can take you from zero to sixty in no time. Molto Bene!
2. Podcast or Audiobook. There are thousands of podcasts out there on every topic under the sun, so there’s bound to be one that tickles your fancy. Whether you’re into true crime, or politics, or just want to hear some celebrity gossip, there’s a podcast for you. Some of my current favorites (clearly dependent on my mood) are Smartless, Crime Junkie, and 5 AM Miracle. If you have a longer commute or want something a little more involved, grab a free audiobook from Audible or Spotify. I’m currently ⅞ of the way through A Vision Driven Leader. Up next is Atomic Habits. Looking to improve in life, love, or your career? There’s plenty of content for that as well. Nothing beats an informative or motivating session with someone who can help you conquer what might be holding you back. Your commute is a great time to engage a podcast that won’t improve traffic but will improve your life.
3. Call Your Mom. Or dad. Or cousin. Or best friend. Or maybe even an old friend you haven’t spoken to in a while. Assuming you have a hands-free setup, of course (#safetyfirst). Catch up on the latest news and gossip, or just have a good old-fashioned chat. Time flies by when you’re engaged in good conversation, and you know Mom wants to spill the tea on Aunt Sherry.
4. Brainstorm New Ideas. Maybe you’re a writer, an entrepreneur, or just someone who likes to dream big. Use your commute to come up with new business ideas, plot twists for your novel, or just ask Siri to jot down some creative thoughts. Would you believe me if I said the majority of this blog was conjured up in the car?
5. Make a List. If you’re driving in to work, list out the major tasks you want to accomplish that day. If you’re driving home, list out the things you didn’t get done and want to do tomorrow. You are more likely to succeed if you prioritize your daily tasks and make a to-do list. Voice memos are incredibly handy for this – keep your eyes on the road!

Time is one of those things we never seem to have enough of, so it’s really important to make the most of what you have. Who knows, you might even start to look forward to your daily commute!

If you have any other ideas of ways to make the most of your commute, have an audiobook recommendation, or want to share your favorite podcast with me, shoot me an email at stephanie@rethincadvertising.com.