How to thrive on an ‘extreme commute’
An “extreme commute” is a commute that lasts more than double the national average of 24.4 miles to work. At Thirty Thousand Miles, I assume any two-way commute longer than two hours (60 minutes to work) is an extreme commute.
When you spend so much of your daily life commuting, you lose valuable time that could be better spent with family and friends, relaxing, learning something new, or just appreciating the world around you.
The bad news is that for most people, they aren’t going to want to risk changing jobs in the economic climate of today. A long commute is better than no commute—unless you’re lucky enough to be telecommuting from home.
The good news is that many of the things you give up to commute, such as learning, entertainment, and family time can be partially, if not fully, recouped—during your commute.
With the forward progress of technology, there are several ways you can enjoy your drive time and use it to connect with your family, indulge in some self-improvement and learning, or relax with a bit of entertainment.
All you need is the right equipment. If you already have a smartphone, iPod, MP3 player or other audio device, you’re halfway there. If not, look for a device that can be used with a bluetooth headset, or that can be used with an AUX jack in your automobile. Most newer models come with these inputs that allow you to plug your device directly into the stereo system. (My last two automobiles have had this option and I find it amazingly useful.)
If that won’t work for you, check out these links:
- How to Listen to Digital Music in Your Car (this is an older article, but still relevant, and it also applies to any audio you can put on your digital audio device)
- Griffin iTrip FM Transmitter with Auto Dock Connector Cable for iPod and iPhone (Silver/Black)
- Belkin TuneCast II FM Transmitter for MP3 Players in Black
The following worked for me to get my audio from my Palm Centro to my automobile’s stereo system
- Palm Stereo Head Phone Audio Adapter
- Portable Audio Player to Car Stereo Cable
(not the exact brand I use, but the same type)
- Automobile AUX jack
My next investment in my commute? A Palm Pre. Yeah…
Enjoy your commute by entertaining yourself with a popular fiction audio book
- Relentless
by Dean Koontz
- The 8th Confession (The Women’s Murder Club)
- Vision in White
- Dead Until Dark (Sookie Stackhouse) by Charlaine Harris
Improve yourself with quality non-fiction audio books
- Eat That Frog!: 21 Great Ways to Stop Procrastinating and Get More Done in Less Time
- What Would Google Do?
- How to Win Friends & Influence People
- The Tipping Point: How Little Things Can Make a Big Difference
- The Magic of Thinking Big
- Getting Things Done: The Art of Stress-Free Productivity
Call family members you don’t get to connect with often, using a hands-free device, and have a conversation
Just because you’re stuck in your automobile doesn’t mean you have to give up your time. Use it wisely, and you’ll anxiously await your next commute!
[Update: I screwed up. I originally said a one-way commute longer than 30 minutes is an extreme commute, but that wasn't what I meant at all! It's all fixed now. :)]