What You Should Be Doing on Your Commute (Besides scrolling through Social Media)

If you live or work in the city, odds are, you’re commuting. Whether you’re driving in or taking public trans, many of us spend a decent amount of time in some type of vehicle. See how you can get the most out of your commute with these tips!

It’s estimated that we’ll spend 4 hours commuting a week (US Census Bureau) and about nine days a year commuting. When I first started working, I had a whopping 2 hour commute each day. It was brutal. Driving out to the burbs every single day, my time was spent in bumper to bumper traffic, basically losing 10 hours a week to talk radio.

Now fortunately, I’m down to about an hour each day. Thirty minutes there, thirty minutes back. And this time around, I’m not driving which is even better!

“Stop wasting your commute and get productive”

It’s easy for your commute to get the best of you. But whether you’re behind the wheel or not, there’s always a little room for some productivity.

Today, I’m sharing a few ways to get the most out of your commute and make your time in the care #worthit.

If you’re driving, this one is for you.

Podcasts

I’ve been getting more and more into podcasts recently and I think it has to do with The Mattie James. Podcasts are a great way to either learn something new or just explore a new topic or current event. Some of my favorites include Black Women Talk Work, by our lovely Blogger friend Myriah Burce, The Science of Happiness (by PRI and The Greater Good Science Center), How I Built This (Guy Raz & NPR) and The Balanced Black Girl Podcast (by Lestraundra Alfred). Each one brings a little something different to the table but new perspectives offer new insights, which bring new opportunities.

Set Your Intentions

If you’re in for a longer commute that eats up your pre-work prep time, take some activities and move them to the car. Setting your intentions is such a large part of your day so set the mood right. Pick 3 things that you will focus on today and either have a good memory or take a voice recording. The great thing about this is that you’ll have some time to think about your intentions vs. writing down the first thing that comes to your mind. So, pick some good ones and get ready for a great day!

Books

One of my goals for the whole year was to read more. Specifically at least one book a month. Commuting makes it so much easier to get this goal completed since it’s a set amount of time and once I’m done, I’m done. It’s can be difficult to prioritize reading when there’s always so much to do. Work duties, networking events, working on the blog, families, housework. It might seem like it will never get done but I’ve found that since I committed to reading more, my commute is the perfect time to get it done. If you’re driving, obviously go for the audio book.

ProTip: I used to purchase books a lot. Even when I was little we always went to the bookstore. Save your money and try the good old-fashioned library. You can also rent audio books from there as well…FOR THE FREE!

4. Instagram with Intent

This one is specifically for my blogger gals! The Instagram Algorithm is consistently our for our necks so if you’re commuting, #scrollwithintent for engagement. I usually find myself getting lost in the internet and scrolling aimlessly. It’s definitely not good for anyone’s productivity so commit to your commute and focus. Using this time to increase IG engagement is a great way to incorporate it into your schedule, keep you focused in the office, and get the job done!

5. Call Friends/Family

This one has been a new practice for me but it’s one that’s overlooked. Use up some of your commuting time to catch up with family and friends that may have slipped through the cracks. Whether that’s a phone call, a quick text or even a DM, stay in touch with those close to you and check in on them. It’s easy for all of us to get caught up in our routines and the busy-ness of the day to day. A quick message can go a long way to let someone know you’re thinking of them.

How are you going to spend your next commute?