Commuting Efficiently: How I Get 2 Extra Hours per Day

Unless you work from home or you stay close to your work place, commuting is what we do every day. The worst part is that when you work conventional hours, you always commute at the worst possible time. Its minutes, sometimes hours of bumper to bumper traffic, angry drivers and polluted air. But amidst all this madness, I sit peaceful in my mode of transport, being the most efficient I can be in any day. I have heard people complaining of not having time beyond work, family and school. I always ask them what they do when commuting. This is the time I have for pursuing the some of the things I "love and enjoy" (subject for another day).

Of so much time

I work 5 days a week and do other things during the weekend. My usual commute is 45 minutes to about one and half hours depending on the time I leave the house, that's an average of 2 hours per week day and even more during the weekends. Thanks to technology, I stretch my phone to its maximum use. I can work from there, I can communicate, I can play and I can still be creative - doodling and generating ideas. In all those bumpy roads, it doesn't matter where my finger lands, auto-correct will find the right letter. But how have I turned redeemed these 2 crucial hours of the day?

Of catching up on my reading

I love reading as wide as possible. Each month I list 4 books that I have to read and I make sure that I complete one per week. This excludes my normal actuarial studies which require multiple actions from me e.g. I have to read and write summary notes. This requires a desk for me to fit the notes and the note book. So how do I get to 4 books a month – audiobooks and e-books. 2 hours per day for 5 days; that’s 10 hours, enough to complete M Gladwell’s Outliers - one of my favourite books. My friend introduced me to Scribd, and since then life has never been the same. One month subscription for my 4 titles of the month. Having committed to the subscription, I feel the need to make full use of my money. For titles that can’t be found there, the Kindle app provide a great interface.

Of my mode of commuting

I always alternate between driving my own car to work and taking public transport. I have found out that public transport makes me more efficient. I don't know about other parts of the world, but in Harare, public transport drivers are excellent at beating congestion. From climbing road pavements, taking dusty shortcuts to bullying other drivers; they always get there earlier than when I drive myself. Besides that, when I'm the one driving, I'm restricted in what I can do during the commuting time. When I use my own car, I am usually listening to an audio book. I just plug in and drive. Public commuting is more exciting to my creative mind. I can pull out my stylus and scribble for a good 45 minutes or just load my favourite note app and start writing my articles. I did 90% of writing and editing this article during my commuting time. My favourite note app is Evernote. I have had this app and web service since 2011. The free version of the app allows you to sync your notes between two devices, in my case my phone and my PC.

Of road rage and loud music

Rush-hour brings about the worst in any best person in the world. You need to be very attentive and be prepared to take advantage of any gap if you are to get home at all. Trying to find your concentration in this metal jungle is not easy. This is a big disadvantage when using personal car. However in public transport, noise cancelling headphones have been the saviour for me. It's doesn't matter what I'm up to, Audiobooks, writing and even catching up with the news, they just make sure my mind is all in.

Of being social and networking

Last week, I was telling my colleagues about all this and one was quick to point out that it’s the most antisocial way to commute. I will leave that for each individual to decide for themselves.