Beep Beep! Your girl is comin in hot this week!
If you are a girlie who has a rather long commute, this post is for you!
No matter where I have worked, I’ve always had a long commute…sometimes up to 1.5 hours one way in the car after a shift because of rush hour traffic. On average, I spend up to 10 hours a week commuting back and forth to work…that’s a lot of alone time with my thoughts.
Over the years I have perfected maximizing my time in the car. I’m someone who is very efficient and “wasting” 1.5 hours driving is a “no for me dawg!”
It wasn’t until I started implementing these practices into my commute that I felt I was making the most out of every aspect of my day.
Here are a few ways you can be your most productive self on your commute!
Listen to Something Educational
Listening to a podcast is one of my favorite things to do while commuting. It’s easy to get lost in the conversation! Listening to a topic you are interested in will help distract you from the fact you’re just sitting in the car. The best part, you will feel like you are learning something new. For all my forensic girlies and boss babes out there, here are a few of my favorite podcast channels to listen to:
Bear Brook: A True Crime Story
Maybe you are a student and are also working full time…listen to your pre recorded lectures while driving. Or, if you are just coming from class, listen to your lecture again to soak in the material. While I was working full time and in grad school, this tip saved me a lot of time. By the time I got home, I could eat a snack and jump right into homework!
You could also listen to an audio book or learn a new language…skies the limit!
Release your Emotions
I’m embarrassed to admit this, but I “car cry” A LOT. For me, and maybe for you, the car feels like a safe, non-judgemental space to let go of any pent up emotions or anxiety. Let the tears flow, sister! Feeling pumped…roll the windows down and pump the jams! Celebrate a great day! By the time you reach your destination, you will feel like a new woman!
Creative Brainstorming
I always say my best thinking is done in the car or in the shower. Use this time in the car to brainstorm ideas for a research project, a more efficient workflow, or a thoughtful birthday gift for your bestie! You can also use this time to address challenges you’re facing at work or in your personal life and come up with possible solutions. Use the voice memos app on your phone to record your ideas for later!
Practice Mindfulness
Ever have such a rough day you drive home in silence and once you reach your destination, you have no idea how you got there? I call that teleportation. There is nothing better than driving somewhere in complete and utter silence while you zone off to Mars…it may be the only quiet time of your day!
Practice breathing techniques or guided meditation (with your eyes open!) to either prepare you for a successful day or decompress you from a wild one!
I also love this time in the car to do some self-reflection. Reflect upon your day…what was successful about it, what could you have done better to be more productive, and create a game plan for the next day.
Work on Your Public Speaking
One of my favorite places to practice my courtroom testimony is in the car! Try to envision an ADA’s question and then respond out loud while you are driving. If you aren’t thrilled with your answer, try again! By the time you hit the stand, the jury will be blown away by your expertise!
The car is also a great place to draft up and practice your MOH speech for any future weddings you may be a part of!
If public speaking isn’t your jam, practice your carpool karaoke with a Taylor Swift bop! Nothing boosts the endorphins more than bumpin to a great beat!
By integrating these practices into your commute, you can transform what might feel like wasted time into a productive and fulfilling part of your day.
How do you spend your time in the car? Comment below!
