I could think of worse ways to get to work every morning than my commute across the stunning Hauraki Gulf, but a regular commute can also be draining of both time and energy – especially if you doing 5 days a week and spend that mindlessly trawling the web or on social media.
If you do it right, you can use your commute time to learn something valuable, win new clients or brainstorm ideas to help you build your business.
Following are some tips to help you make the most of every moment (and these can also be used when waiting for appointments or any other down-time you have throughout the day)
- Plan your day
There is no better time than to review your calendar and prioritise your tasks. A well planned day will keep you get focused and ensure you are productive with your time
- Catch up on reading
I use an app called Pocket which allows me to save articles of interest on one device to read later. This also helps me keep my inbox clear. If apps aren’t your thing you can simply save articles that have been emailed to you in a dedicated folder for easy access.
- Get inspired & get into action
I also like to use my commute to get motivated by catching up on inspiring speakers via TED Talks and You Tube. Starting the day with the right mindset is the difference between super-productive and getting stuck in a pattern of not achieving much.
- Record those light-bulb moments
Commuting on water, especially at the end of the day, is relaxing and is the perfect time to think. I always keep a journal on me for those moments when inspirational ideas come to me. When inspiration is flowing, it’s a great time to put a plan in place to see some of those ideas come to light.
- Invoicing on the go
They say time is money – especially when you have your own business – so why not spend your time collecting some? I have Xero app on my phone which I use to invoice clients before my day is complete. The sooner they receive my invoice, the sooner they can pay for my services.
- Clear your mind
It’s crucial for me to stop for a moment and reflect on the day before I head home to the family. You don’t have to be saying ‘ohhhms’ and make a lot of fuss, but a bit of mental time-out helps you avoid becoming overwhelmed after a big day in the office.
Good luck and happy commuting!
