8 Simple Ways to Make Your Commute Productive

Most people would probably opt to skip their commute completely if it was possible. Sitting on the bus or in a traffic jam feels like a big waste of time and most people simply whip out their phones and start scrolling through Instagram the second they sit down. But if you want to put your time to good use, you can make your commute productive.

It takes some self-control to do something productive instead of choosing the easiest activity and just be on your phone or look out the window. But the more you do it, the easier it becomes.

Making your commute productive can save you a lot of time too. If you spend two hours per day on commute, that’s approximately 40 hours in a month. A week’s worth of potential work time! We really have to put that time to better use. Let’s get started!

1. Educational podcasts

Who doesn’t love podcasts? They are all the rage and that’s for a reason. They are also very convenient to listen to on the go because you can keep your hands free or walk down the street at the same time.

Choosing to listen to educational podcasts on your commute will help you learn about the topics you are interested in and they can even help you with your work. Try to look for topics that you think would benefit you the most, whether it’s job hunting advice or exercise tips.

You can also choose to listen to podcasts that will give you motivation and advice.

2. Motivational videos

We all need some extra motivation from time to time. And early in the morning when you’re rushing to your workplace you’re probably not feeling very motivated and you might wish you could just take the next bus back home.

You can alleviate these feelings by watching some motivational Youtube videos. There are plenty of great ones to choose from and they will for sure make you feel better in a matter of minutes. You can start by watching this video.

3. Reading

Reading an e-book or listening to an audiobook on your way to work is a great way to get through that pile of books you’ve been meaning to read, but haven’t had time to. It also gives you the opportunity to learn more and help you on your level up journey.

While it can sound daunting to start reading a book about politics or history at 7 am in the morning, it will definitely help you reach your goals.

4. Free online courses

Online courses can teach you valuable skills, and they enable you to immerse yourself in dozens of interesting topics. The good thing about free online courses is that they are fairly easy to complete on the bus or on the train. Often you only need to watch videos and possibly take part in online discussions.

The courses are also easy to complete on your phone, so you definitely don’t need to take out a laptop on a crowded train. Some websites that offer great courses are Coursera, FutureLearn, Open Culture, and Harvard University.

5. Learn a language

The thing about learning a new language is that you have to make studying a daily habit. If the language is not part of your everyday life, learning it will take an eternity. I myself study French words every day on the bus.

There are many good apps, such as Duolingo, Lingvist, and Anki, that help you study your target language easily and in a fun way. You can use these apps even on a busy subway.

Another option is to simply listen to your target language. When you commit to studying every day on your way to work, you can learn new vocabulary almost effortlessly.

6. Planning

When you have a lot going on in your life (be it studying, work or family), good planning is the key. You can plan everything from daily to-do lists to Christmas cards in advance to save time later on.

To plan on the go, you want a good note-taking app. I recommend Notion, which is available for both iOS and Android.

The more you plan ahead, the easier it is for you to get things done at work or at home. That is why spending some time planning your life makes your commute much more productive.

7. Social media time

This one is not productive on its own, but it helps you to be productive when you’re back at home. After all, it is hard to concentrate on anything when you’re constantly moving and switching trains.

The good thing is that your daily dose of social media doesn’t require you to focus much. This makes your daily commute the perfect time to check Instagram or watch some videos on Youtube. That way you’re having more fun and you arrive at work a bit more relaxed.

You can choose to only check social media when you’re on your way to work so that you will be more productive and disconnected from the unnecessary distractions at home. This requires some willpower, but it will definitely be worth it.

8. Networking

If you want to do well in your career, you have to network. And it doesn’t necessarily mean that you have to go to special networking events. The whole point is to get to know other people in your field and make connections.

You can network on LinkedIn or for example on Facebook. Try to find groups that are for professionals in your field and then just start taking part in the conversation. Don’t hesitate to send a message to people who you think seem interesting.

Conclusion

As you can see, there are plenty of things you can do on your way to work. Forget about mindlessly scrolling through social media, there are many better things you can do.

What do you usually do on your commute? Have you found other ways to make your commute productive? Share your thoughts in the comments! And if you liked this post, make sure to share it!

If you want to be even more productive, choose one of these productive hobbies for women!