Game of Thrones
I am one of the few out there who has not seen one episode of Game of Thrones. I missed the hype, but after being heavily convinced by friends and twitter alike (and a general curiosity to the show's popularity,) I decided to take on the task of watching all 8 seasons. Sixty-three hours plus was a bigger challenge than I expected, but to stay in the game, I decided to dedicate my commutes home from work to this task of taking part in my generation's culture.
The average commute is only about 25 minutes, but in metropolitan areas, where most young professionals live, commutes can take an hour or more. My commute is about 45 minutes on the train and a bus back to my apartment. Those 45 minutes are perfect for me to relax after a day of work and for me watching tv is relaxing. This is how I made better use of my minutes in transit and how you can too:
Relax: Audiobooks, Music, Videos
Relaxing and enjoying are key in remaining productive in other areas in your life because they offer a great balance. This is why it might be worthwhile to use your commute to catch up on some of The New York Times best sellers, explore new music artists or watch a series that’s been hanging on your need to see list. These outlets can offer more than just entertainment as you can choose documentaries or non-fiction books on topics you want to learn. There are great podcasts that offer topics across all industries. Whichever media it is, choose something that you really enjoy and so it becomes a routine you look forward to.
Construct: Transition, Exercise, Prep
Commutes can be a great time for brainstorming and mental-exercising. Use your morning commutes to transition from that waking up feeling to being present and ready for your upcoming tasks. If you have a project set for the day, start going over your schedule and reel off your tasks or start brainstorming for the day’s standup. If you're commuting on a train, or a space where you are comfortable bringing out a laptop or notebook, then go ahead and use them. Focus on simple tasks that you can solve while on the train and that will save more time for your more complex projects. Morning hours on the road are also a great time to transition into the correct mindset for your day. Adding positive thoughts and perspectives can really help you enter the workspace more confidently.
Reflect: Meditate, Record
Adding time to reflect on your personal goals can be one of the most productive things you can do while you commute. So often we find ourselves avoiding personal check-ins because we simply do not have the time. Use your commutes to record your personal thoughts and evaluate your progress in areas that you are currently self-focusing on. Another way to reflect is by setting commuting time for meditation. Meditating can significantly aid to decrease stress and increase focus on motivation. There are many apps on mindfulness and meditation that cater specifically for commuters. Try out a few to see if this is something that works for you.
At Your Stop
Commutes can be dreadful but there are ways to make it a bit less and maybe even something you will look forward to. Whether it’s for self-care or for your career, let your commute add value to your life, Afterall, aren’t we always looking for more time in our lives? Having a commute is the perfect place to find it.
Commutes can be dreadful but there are ways to make it a bit less and maybe even something you will look forward to. Whether it’s for self-care or for your career, let your commute add value to your life, Afterall, aren’t we always looking for more time in our lives? Having a commute is the perfect place to find it.
And for me, well, I am definitely excited to see what all the hype is about in Game of Thrones. I’ll let you know!