Advantages of a Long Commute to Work
Everyone has to commute to work unless you are one of the lucky few, who work from home. However, the advantage of a long commute to work is that you get time to learn and plan your workplace promotion or exit strategy.
While some people have less than a ten-minute drive to work, they just hit the radio and about two songs in, their at work.
On the other hand, there are those of us who have a thirty-minute or more commute to work. That repetitive radio music and work traffic just gets really old after a while. So as the driver, you have a few choices on taking advantage of this typically wasted time.
Use the Commute Time to Plan a Job Change
Depending on how long your commute is, you may dread going to work for more reason than just the drive. But, we are here to look at the bright side. Since you have a job that is putting money in your pocket, you now have time to plan your next workplace move.
You can use all the time driving to think about potentially changing jobs. Maybe when you took this position it was all you could find at the time. But now, maybe there are some new things available in your local area.
In the same way, have you thought about just asking to get relocated? For some big companies, they have your position available in multiple locations. Unfortunately, you filled a position that was further from home. Try speaking to someone above you or to someone at your local workplace to see if a transfer can be made.
Similar to making a transfer in your current work title, you can almost be in a positon to move if you were promoted. For example, if you became a manager at your current workplace, there may be manager positions available in your local area.
So far, we have looked at ways you can stay with the company to see if you can stay and transfer to a local position. Although you can do the planning at home, you have time-wasting while you drive to work so, get those ideas flowing while you are headed in.
Have Some Self Time While You Commute
With so much going on in our lives, it can be difficult to just find a moment to pause and think about yourself. How are things going in your life? Are you on the path you desire? Do you need to change something? There are an endless amount of questions you could ask so, it is important to take that time for yourself to reflect on your life and where you are headed, besides work.
For example, let’s use a family for instance. When is the last time you’ve followed up with someone that used to be really close to you but, has grown distant do to a normal circumstant? Not someone who you’ve had a bad relationship with but, someone who over time, became disconnected with you just from living life.
During your drive, you can think about those people and plan on contacting them to see how they are doing. If you had a short commuted, you’d probably quickly back to a normal routine without the change to stop and think about many other things surrounding your life.
Plan a Relocation When Driving
If this just so happens to be a job you really enjoy, have you thought about moving? Use that commute time to plan on moving closer to work. Although planning a move can be a big deal, it may just be worth it if this job is that important to you.
Using relocation as a solution to a long commute is probably best or easier for those without a big family and a ton of belongings. For example, if you are in an apartment, that can be a quick and simple move, nearly done on your own. If you do not have too much furniture, you can make that move on your own.
However, if you are someone with a family, there are many more moving pieces that may have to be figured out before relocating. This could include things like, what schools are in the new location, where will my partner work, how does my whole family feel about relocating? Although there are many questions to answer, you should not worry, but cause you have loads of time while you commute to pick the right solution.
Learn from Audiobooks While Commuting
These next three advantages of a long commute to work are my favorites. If you have not started listen to audiobooks already, you should. I use them to help me solve problems and this can all be done while driving.
If you had already been reading books, We’d like to save you some time by referring you to our post, “Why Reading Books is a Waste of Time”.
For example, instead of listening to the radio on your long commute to work, you could be listening to a book that teaches you about any subject matter that you are interested it. This can be anything from love to money. Instead of having to learn things on your own or from within people in your circle, try finding someone books that pique your interest.
My favorite app for audiobooks is Amazon’s Audible. Click here to see an example of an Audible book.
Just imagine, you are on your way to work and you are getting tips on how to better your love life. What could thirty minutes to an hour per day of absorbing a handpicked book, do for something you a passionate about? The answer is, help you get knowledgable in that personal interest enough to possibly build a desirable result.
Learn from Youtube While Commuting
Very similar to listening to audiobooks, my next favorite thing to do while on a long commute to work is listen to Youtube. Although there is an endless amount of things you can watch on Youtube, I like to use it for education.
In one way that Youtube is better than audiobooks is, Youtube is free. So if you are someone who can not see the value in paying for books or the Audible app, you can always go to Youtube to get free information.
The downside to using Youtube in most cases is the ads. Although ads are everywhere we go, it can be annoying after a while. If you do not have an issue with listening to ads in between videos, then it’s not so bad.
Another reason why Youtube can be less favorable than audiobooks is, you have to dig around for good free content. Unlike a book where you can have uninterrupted, reviewed, specific information about the topic you choose, on Youtube, you have to search.
Unfortunately, there is no way to tell if a channel or video you choose will be worth or while or even from a credible source. However, I’d still say the pro of using Youtube as a free educational platform outway the cons. Can you really argue with free?
Learn About Passive Income While Commuting
Last, but definitely not least, you can learn about new streams of income while you commute to work. Just like we’ve spoken about jobs being temporary in a previous post called “How to Stay Motivated at Work When You Want to Quit”you can learn about new ways to make money while you drive.
All you have to do to get started is, pick up an audiobook like this one or start with learning about passive income by listening to Youtube and you’ll be on your way!
Another great option you have is to subscribe to our email list. We will send you daily tips and advice on how to achieve wealth. Get signed up here and happy commuting!
