If you had 27 extra minutes every day, how would you use them?
Turns out 27 minutes are enough to:
- Watch an episode of your favorite sitcom
- Read nearly 20 pages of a book
- Learn 10-15 new words in a foreign language
- Listen to 7-8 songs on your favorite playlist
- Meditate and set intentions for your day
Guess what? You do have those 27 minutes (or more)—they’re just hiding in plain sight in your daily commute to work!
According to the U.S. Census Bureau, the average one-way daily commute in the United States lasted 26.4 minutes in 2022. That’s nearly an hour each day, or about 200 hours a year that you could use to make your commute productive.
Summarize this article for me pleaseWhat Exactly Is a Productive Commute?
Simply put, a productive commute implies making the most of your time getting from point A (home) to point B (work) and back. Instead of scrolling mindlessly through your phone, you’re using this otherwise wasted time to improve yourself, get stuff done, or even just set yourself up for a great day.
Why should you care about this?
In our fast-paced daily schedule, finding extra time for self-improvement, learning, or just getting ahead of the day can be a game-changer. It’s like finding money in your coat pocket—unexpected but so welcome!
But don’t worry, we’re not suggesting you become a stress ball of productivity. The key is finding a balance that works for you.Â
So, let’s brainstorm solutions to make your time-consuming commute work for you, shall we?
Summarize this article for me pleaseProductive Things to Do During Your Commute
Here’s a list of 15 things you can do to make your daily commute more productive. You don’t need to do all of these every day; mix and match to find what works best for you.
1. Relax and listen to some music
Listening to music while commuting isn’t just idling away your time—music can be a productivity enhancer. Studies have shown that the right tunes can help reduce stress, improve focus, and even boost short-term memory and cognitive performance.
Interestingly, relaxation and productivity often go hand in hand. When we’re relaxed, our minds tend to be more open, creative, and ready to tackle challenges. So, that chill playlist isn’t just entertainment; it’s preparation for a productive day ahead.
Pro tip: Create different playlists for various moods or tasks. Need energy? Queue upbeat tracks. Looking to calm down? Time for some ambient sounds or binaural beats. Apps like Spotify and Apple Music offer curated playlists for every mood, or you can craft a personal mix.
2. Enhance your knowledge
What if you could turn your commute into a mini-study session? There are multiple ways of learning something and picking up new skills while on your way to and back from work.
Podcasts and audiobooks
Podcasts are akin to having a personal tutor in your pocket. Whether you’re into science, business strategies, or obscure historical facts, there’s a podcast for you. Apps like Pocket Casts or Overcast can help you organize and discover new shows.
Audiobooks are another great option for your commute. Services like Audible or Libby (which connects to your local library) offer thousands of titles. You could “read” a book a week just during your commute!
Online courses
And if you’re determined to give your brain a workout, why not enroll in an online course? Platforms like Coursera and edX offer mobile apps, so you can watch lectures or complete readings on your way to work.
Imagine arriving at the office having already knocked out a lesson in data science or creative writing!
For the tech-savvy, coding challenges on platforms like LeetCode or HackerRank offer a great way to keep your problem-solving skills sharp.
Industry news, articles, and TED Talks
Want to stay on top of your industry? Apps like Feedly or Flipboard can curate news and articles tailored to your interests. And don’t forget about TED Talks—bite-sized nuggets of inspiration and innovation perfect for a commute.
Language apps
Learning a new language? Language learning apps like Duolingo or Babbel turn the process into a fun, gamified experience. Nothing beats the sense of achievement from leveling up your Spanish skills before your first coffee of the day!
Building a second brain
And here’s where an all-in-one productivity app like ClickUp comes in handy.
Use ClickUp Docs to create your personal knowledge base and retain what you read and learn. Jot down interesting facts, summarize articles, or outline course notes.
With ClickUp’s mobile app, you can access and update your “second brain” anytime, anywhere.
3. Plan your day
Using your commute to plan your day is like giving yourself a head start in a race.
Creating a to-do list in ClickUp is a great way to manage your important tasks. The ClickUp app makes adding, rearranging, and prioritizing tasks for the day easy. As you check off items throughout the day, you feel a sense of accomplishment with each completed task.
Setting personal goals for the day can also be transformative. It shifts the mindset from “just another day at the office” to “I’m on a mission!”
ClickUp’s Goals feature is ideal for this. Use it to set up daily, weekly, or long-term goals, with progress trackable right from a smartphone.
Pro tip: Use your commute to reflect on your broader career and personal development goals. Are you working towards a promotion? Learning a new skill? Use ClickUp’s SMART Goals Template to break these big dreams into manageable daily actions.
Set goals that are specific, measurable, attainable, relevant, and time-bound (SMART). Built-in milestones and automations make it easier to track progress and celebrate success using the template.
And let’s not forget about ClickUp’s integration with Google Calendar. With it, you can see your entire schedule at a glance with ClickUp and plan ahead. Got a weekly team meeting? Set it up as a recurring task in ClickUp, and you’ll never forget to prepare for it again.
Follow these simple practices, and by the time you reach your desk, you’ll have a clear roadmap for your day.
4. Work ahead
Feeling the dread of an overflowing inbox as soon as you reach the office? Don’t let it ruin your morning!
While you’re on the train or stuck in traffic, you can conquer your inbox from right within ClickUp—send and receive emails, set up automations, create tasks from emails, attach emails to tasks, and more with the Email in ClickUp feature.
Sort through emails, flag important stuff, and cut through the clutter. This way, you start fresh with a clean slate, ready to focus on the important things.
Forward-thinking during this time will help you be better prepared and ensure a smoother workflow throughout the day.
ClickUp offers several features that can enhance this forward-thinking approach.
ClickUp Brain, for instance, can summarize task updates and project progress for you according to personal preferences, providing a quick overview of ongoing work. This AI-powered tool can also generate async standup reports, keeping team members informed without the need for real-time meetings.
Additionally, ClickUp’s mobile app allows for easy task creation and management on the go. You can add new ClickUp Tasks and assignees, update existing ones, or reorganize priorities as ideas come to mind.
5. Get some physical activity in
Most of us could use more movement in our day. And your commute? It’s a golden opportunity to sneak in some extra activity to counteract the sedentary nature of many office jobs.
If you’re riding public transportation, try getting off a stop early or taking the stairs instead of the escalator to hit your step count goal. Apps like Google Fit or Apple Health can track these steps, giving you a fun mini-goal to crush daily.
Another option? Light stretching. This is perfect for those with longer commutes.
Simple exercises like neck rolls, shoulder shrugs, and even seated twists can be done discreetly on the bus or train. Standing commuters can try calf raises or subtle balance exercises to keep those muscles engaged.
Drivers can get in on the action, too! Isometric exercises like gently tightening your core or doing finger and wrist stretches at red lights are safe and effective ways to sneak in some physical activity. But remember, safety first—don’t let your workout distract you from driving!
The key is to find what works for you. Try a grip strengthener, some seated ankle rotations, or focus on good posture. These small actions can add a big boost to your overall well-being and leave you feeling energized for the day ahead.
6. Practice mindfulness and reflection
Like physical wellness, you can use your commute to focus on your mental well-being and personal growth. This is a great option for those of us who take public transport.
Meditation apps like Headspace or Calm offer guided meditations designed for commutes, helping you de-stress and sharpen your focus.
Self-talk is another powerful tool. Podcasts like “The Mindset Mentor” or “Optimal Living Daily” offer bite-sized doses of motivation and self-improvement tips, perfect for listening to on your way to work. These can help you frame your day positively and set yourself up for success.
Want to track your personal growth journey? ClickUp’s Notepad is your new best friend. Use it to capture ideas, start a gratitude practice, or track accomplishments. These notes are easily organized and can be reviewed later, giving you a record of your progress over time.
Not a fan of meditation? No worries! Mindful coloring can be a great alternative. Adult coloring books or apps like Colorfy offer intricate designs and mandalas to help you meditate through focused coloring.
ClickUp Goals can even help you with your personal development goals! Set goals for things like maintaining a daily gratitude practice or completing a certain number of weekly meditations. This will help you track your progress and keep you motivated.
7. Connect with your loved ones
In our busy lives, it’s easy to let connections slip. But your commute? It’s the perfect opportunity to reach out to those who matter most.
A quick call to a friend or family member can brighten your day and theirs. Catch up on life, share a funny story, or simply enjoy the company. Video calls can be a great option for a more face-to-face chat, especially if you feel homesick.
Used wisely, social media can also be a great tool for staying connected. Catch up on your friends’ latest updates, or share a funny meme to make your siblings laugh. Remember to keep it positive—your commute should leave you feeling uplifted, not drained.
Pro tip: Set a timer if you’re scrolling through social media. It’s easy to get sucked in, and before you know it, you’ve missed your stop!
8. Play brain training games
Brain teasers and puzzles are like a workout for the mind. They keep our cognitive skills sharp as we age and can even improve our memory, focus, and problem-solving abilities.
Have you jumped on The New York Times’ games bandwagon yet? Wordle had already taken the world by storm during the pandemic, and for good reason! It’s quick, challenging, and oddly satisfying. The NYT Mini Crossword is another great option for lodging quick wins in a short time. And if you’re up for a real challenge, give Connections a try. It’s like a puzzle and a logic game all rolled into one!
You can also go analog with newspaper crossword puzzles and Sudokus.
9. Plan your groceries, meals, workouts, and social calendar
Get your life in order. Why not use your commute to plan your meals for the week, sort out your grocery list, or schedule your workouts?
There are tons of apps that can help with this.
For meal planning and grocery shopping, check out apps like Mealime or AnyList. For workouts, apps like Strava or Nike Training Club can help you schedule and track your fitness routines. Fitbod curates personalized workout routines.
And if you want an all-in-one planning app instead, look no further than ClickUp. ClickUp Lists are a fantastic visual way to organize your tasks and projects. Need help with meal planning? Create a ClickUp List with all your grocery items, then categorize them by aisle for a smooth shopping trip.
ClickUp also offers a treasure trove of planning templates to supercharge your organization.
ClickUp’s Weekly Planner Template is a great starting point as it lets you set goals and visualize your tasks and appointments for the week ahead.
Need to collaborate with a partner or roommate? ClickUp makes it easy to share plans and keep everyone on the same page. Use ClickUp’s Calendar view to keep track of upcoming events and catch-ups with friends.
By the time you reach your destination, you’ll have your whole week organized.
10. Create something from scratch
A long commute on public transport could be your chance to make something amazing with your hands.
Ever tried origami? It’s fascinating how a simple piece of paper can transform into a beautiful crane or flower. Or how about picking up crochet or knitting? These crafts are portable and relaxing and result in something you can actually use or gift.
More of a digital creator? Apps like Procreate Pocket or Adobe Fresco let you sketch and paint right on your phone.
For the wordsmiths, your commute offers a great window to pen a poem or start that short story you’ve been mulling over. And if you’re feeling brave, platforms like Wattpad or Medium let you share your creations with the world.
ClickUp Docs are perfect for longer writing projects. You can outline your story, draft chapters, or even collaborate with other writers. And for fleeting moments of inspiration, ClickUp’s Notepad is always there to capture your ideas.
Creating something, no matter how small, can be an incredibly fulfilling and positive way to begin your day.
11. Try doodling or sketching
Doodling is a fantastic way to de-stress, spark creativity, and improve focus.
Techniques like Zen doodling or Zentangles involve creating repetitive patterns and shapes, making it easy to pick up and put down. You only need a pen and paper (or a stylus and drawing app on your tablet).
ClickUp Whiteboards can also be your digital doodling haven. Use them to brainstorm ideas visually, sketch out project plans, or simply unwind with some freehand creativity.
12. Work on your personal brand and/or side hustle
Using your commute time to manage your side hustle can help you stay on top of things without eating into your work or personal time.
Draft some witty tweets, plan your next LinkedIn post, or brainstorm ideas for your blog. Every little bit counts when it comes to growing your personal brand. You could also respond to customer emails, update your product listings, or strategize your next move for your side hustle.
Use the ClickUp Content Calendar Template for planning out your social media posts or blog articles. You can map out your content strategy weeks in advance, all from your phone during your commute.
Don’t miss out on ClickUp’s Social Media Posting Schedule Template, either. It helps you plan and schedule posts across different platforms, ensuring your brand stays active and engaged. You can even use your commute to draft posts and queue them up for later.
13. Manage your money
Your commute can be a strategic time to take control of your finances. Here are a few ideas:
- Track your expenses: Use a budgeting app or simply log your expenses in a ClickUp Notepad. Knowing where your money goes is the first step to controlling it. The ClickUp Expense Report Template is also a fantastic tool for managing your finances. You can log expenses, set budget limits, and even generate reports to visualize your spending patterns
- Set and manage budgets: Another productive use of your commuting time is to track spending goals for different categories like groceries, entertainment, or travel
- Plan and monitor investments: Use your commute to research investment options or review your existing portfolio. Apps like Robinhood or E*TRADE let you monitor your investments right from your phone
By dedicating some focused time to your finances during your commute, you can set yourself up for a more secure and prosperous future.
14. Organize your phone
Our phones can become cluttered tangles of forgotten photos, spammy texts, and outdated apps. Use your commute to give your phone a little TLC:
- Delete unwanted photos and videos. Free up storage space and declutter your digital photo library
- Erase spammy texts and unsubscribe from unnecessary notifications
- Install pending updates. Keeping your phone’s software up to date helps ensure security and optimal performance
Remember, a well-organized phone means less time searching for what you need and more time actually using your device efficiently.
15. Compartmentalize home and work life
Your commute isn’t just a journey from point A to B—it’s a transition between your personal and professional worlds. Why not use this time to mentally prepare for the shift?
As you leave home, take a moment to wrap up any lingering personal thoughts. Make a quick note of any home-related tasks you need to remember for later. This helps clear your mind for the workday ahead.
Conversely, use your evening commute to mentally clock out from work. Jot down any work tasks you must remember for tomorrow, then consciously set them aside. This helps you be more present when you get home.
Summarize this article for me pleaseHarnessing Technology for a Productive Commute
In the world we live in, your smartphone is your ultimate productivity companion during your commute.
From online learning and skill-building platforms to habit-tracking apps, from to-do list tools to budget trackers, there’s no shortage of apps and resources you can use to make your commute more productive.
For a solution that offers you all this and more, try ClickUp. ClickUp isn’t just another task management app; it’s a complete productivity ecosystem. Whether you’re on a bus, train, or stuck in traffic, ClickUp’s mobile app puts powerful tools right at your fingertips:
- ClickUp’s time tracking: Easily log time spent on tasks during your commute, giving you a clear picture of how you’re utilizing those precious minutes
- ClickUp Task Priorities: Use your commute to review and adjust task priorities for the day ahead. With ClickUp’s custom views, you can quickly see what needs your attention most urgently. The Calendar view in ClickUp is perfect for scheduling on the go
- ClickUp Brain: It’s like having a personal assistant who can help with note-taking, content creation, drafting email replies, and even generating more ideas regarding what to do on your commute!
The key to a productive commute isn’t about cramming in more work—it’s about using your time intentionally. ClickUp provides the flexibility to do just that, whether you have a 15-minute bus ride or an hour-long train journey.
Summarize this article for me pleaseProductive or Restorative: Making Your Commute Work for You
By harnessing our tips and tools, you can transform your commute from ‘dead time’ into a productive part of your day. You’ll arrive at your destination not just physically but also mentally prepared and rested for what lies ahead.
The potential benefits are clear: reduced stress, increased productivity, and a sense of accomplishment before reaching your destination.
But there’s a flip side to consider. Constantly striving for productivity can sometimes lead to burnout or increased stress. The last thing we want is for your commute to feel like another item on your to-do list.
The key is to approach your commute with intention, not pressure. Maybe you can use your morning commute for planning and goal-setting while your evening commute is reserved for unwinding and transitioning back to your personal life.
The beauty of tools like ClickUp is that they adapt to your needs. Whether you’re in full productivity mode or just want to jot down a quick idea, they support you without adding pressure.
Try ClickUp today for a healthier, happier commute!
Everything you need to stay organized and get work done.
