Tips for a productive commute
8.1 percent of U.S. workers have 60 minute or longer commutes to work according to the U.S. Census Bureau. For some of us, commuting to work is an hour long
venture. Even in a Ford Mustang, the
repetitive trip could get old. It is easy to develop negative feelings about commuting
to work. It can feel like an invasion on our personal time and an energy
sapper. By the time we arrive at our job, we feel like we’re already in to our
work day, which can lower performance.
Then again, it’s all in how we choose to frame it. According to Shakespeare, “There is nothing either good or bad but thinking makes it so.” At
least we don’t use a bathroom stall to get to work like the wizards that work
at the Ministry
of Magic in Harry Potter.
The reality
is that if we set goals for our commuting to work time, just like other parts
of our lives, it can be tremendously beneficial. If you’ve been struggling to
stay awake during your commute or feeling like it is a waste of your time,
think again. We’ve got some great tips to help you turn your commute time into
a valued part of your day.
Tips for a Useful Commute:
1.
Mental
Preparation-
The importance of positive thinking is often underestimated. Thinking about success and finding self-motivation are important aspects of productive living. Remember the law of attraction? Use your commute time to think good thoughts. You could even take that one step further and listen to an inspirational story, an inspirational quote, positive and inspirational psychology about goal setting, etc. Research shows that if you start your day this way, you will lead your thoughts in to a more successful and enjoyable day. “The brain regions involved in "intention" are very connected to those regions involved in action. As a result, firing up those brain regions involved in intention will start to fire up your action centers” according to psychiatrist Srinivasan Pillay.
The importance of positive thinking is often underestimated. Thinking about success and finding self-motivation are important aspects of productive living. Remember the law of attraction? Use your commute time to think good thoughts. You could even take that one step further and listen to an inspirational story, an inspirational quote, positive and inspirational psychology about goal setting, etc. Research shows that if you start your day this way, you will lead your thoughts in to a more successful and enjoyable day. “The brain regions involved in "intention" are very connected to those regions involved in action. As a result, firing up those brain regions involved in intention will start to fire up your action centers” according to psychiatrist Srinivasan Pillay.
2. Presentation Practice-
Using your commute to prepare yourself for work appearance sounds silly, but is quite effective. Sit up straight in your car to help your posture. Smile because not only will it benefit you to walk into work smiling, but it is proven to boost your mood.
Using your commute to prepare yourself for work appearance sounds silly, but is quite effective. Sit up straight in your car to help your posture. Smile because not only will it benefit you to walk into work smiling, but it is proven to boost your mood.
3. Energy Building-
You know that music you love to listen to when working out or cleaning house? Play that music during your commute to help boost your energy. Listening to the right music and singing along even, before work can really put your brain in a good state because “activations occur in the premotor and parietal cortex of the brain: regions that prepare the body for movement and attention” says Pillay.
You know that music you love to listen to when working out or cleaning house? Play that music during your commute to help boost your energy. Listening to the right music and singing along even, before work can really put your brain in a good state because “activations occur in the premotor and parietal cortex of the brain: regions that prepare the body for movement and attention” says Pillay.
4. Winding Down-
On the opposite end of the spectrum, utilize “low key” tunes on the way home to help you unwind. It is important to let your mind calm down from exhaustion after work.
On the opposite end of the spectrum, utilize “low key” tunes on the way home to help you unwind. It is important to let your mind calm down from exhaustion after work.
5. Speech Training-
Remember all those silly people you’ve witnessed singing along to music in their car? Be one of them. Sing along to music in the car. This can help you practice annunciation as well as clear your throat.
Remember all those silly people you’ve witnessed singing along to music in their car? Be one of them. Sing along to music in the car. This can help you practice annunciation as well as clear your throat.
6. Think Business-
When we get busy in our lives, it becomes difficult to soak in
inspiration and we get stuck in the comfort zone, which later translates to
boredom and dissatisfaction. The easiest way to utilize your commute is to be
observant. Take time to notice the word around you. Let nature inspire your
artistic and innovative side. Acknowledge business advertising, and messages
around you in general. Marketing is something we are bombarded with, but seldom
learn from. The messages could actually
serve as trends and knowledge to draw on within your role at work.
Further more tune in to news, technology and environmental changes which impact
your life.
Effective
performance can easily be heightened through a well-utilized commute; it’s
just a matter of perspective. In fact, some people prefer to have a commute.
After all, the majority of people are always wishing for more time to think,
and a commute solves that need. If you're looking for a good new year resolution in 2014, then utilizing these ideas may be the resolution for you.
