Published:

01/16/2012 11:51pm

Use Good Time Management during Commuting

Behind-the-wheel commuting can be a shameful waste of time. Unlike bus and train riders who have the luxury of snoozing or reading, drivers of cars often face horror, humiliation, and harassment on the roads. This doesn't
make for a pleasant frame of mind in which to arrive at the office.

If you're one of the millions of drivers who hit the early-morning highways every day, five days a week, you have a considerable chunk of time invested in that commute. You can turn commuting time into productive time by using the following suggestions:

1. Just as you'd organize your day at work (in advance), do the same with commuting time. Choose some long-term goals on which to work during drive time. For example, you could learn a foreign language, rehearse speeches, presentations, and interviews.

2. Share rides to save wear and tear on your car—as well as on your nerves—and to reduce gas and parking expenses. En route, brainstorm solutions to problems at work, or discuss time-saving ideas. Having company
on a commute can make the ride more pleasant—if you're compatible. You can also use the car pool lanes when you share the ride with someone else.

3. If traffic grinds to a halt, stay relaxed. Breathe slowly and deeply. Roll your shoulders to ease any tension. It's poor use of your time to sit there resenting or getting uptight over something you can't control.

4. Explore side roads. They'll provide a change of scenery and may come in handy if you need a detour during heavy traffic.

5. Implement a flextime schedule at work to avoid heavy, rush-hour traffic.
Work the same amount of time each day, but come in earlier and leave earlier, or come in later and leave later.

6. Drive sensibly and remain calm. When you do, you'll get to work and home again with your joy intact.

Peter

Peter "The Time Man" Turla
GetTime@TimeMan.com
www.TimeMan.com
817 491-9681