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Most of you know I took a new job in December. I was very excited to join Great Lakes Educational Loan Services, Inc. as their first social media strategist. I was a little less excited that I would need to work on-site, in Madison. I live 74 miles away. My amazing job opportunity came with a round-trip commute in excess of two hours.
At first, I spent my drive time catching up with my family on the phone and listening to podcasts (I count This American Life, Social Media Marketing, Radiolab, Freakonomics, Marketplace, and Planet Money among my favorites). However, within a few weeks I found that I had more drive time than podcasts—a lot more time.
Towards the end of January, a conversation with one of my colleagues got me an introduction to a member of a carpool in my area. Just a few days later, I was invited to join. Now I only have to drive to work five days a month.
It took me a while to grasp what exactly this meant—I had gained an average of eight hours per week. Four days per week I have an hour in the morning, and again in the afternoon, to do whatever I want. I don’t have to focus on driving, so I can multi-task if necessary.
What’s taken up my time? First, brought a book that I had only been picking up during my free moments at work along for the ride—I finished Trust Agents about a week later. Next, I took my iPad with me and wrote this blog post. Writing it off-line gave me time to reread it, ask for feedback, and make edits before publishing it the next morning. This weekend I downloaded Enchantment by Guy Kawasaki and I listened to 45 minutes of it today. At that rate, I’ll finish the book in about a week and a half. During all of these activities, I’m able to focus exclusively on the task at hand (my carpool doesn’t talk much).
I’ve also become more connected. When I’m not focusing on something, I catch up on my Google Reader and check in with Twitter, Facebook, and LinkedIn. I’ve found that I tend to engage with an entirely different crowd during the morning (7 a.m. – 8 a.m. CST) and evening (4:30 p.m. – 5:30 p.m. CST) drives. I’ve been able to to have conversations with people I didn’t really notice in my feed before. I’m also able to read more content provided within links, and recommend it to others.
I’m just over two weeks into the carpool experience, and I’m already beginning to see my commute as a benefit of my new job. It’s my time to decompress, connect, or reflect. It’s made me a more intentional (and well-read) professional, and I’ve become a more active member of several online communities. A perceived drawback has become one of the benefits of my new position.
What opportunities do you have to “gain time” during the week? What drawback of your job, living situation, or other life responsibilities can you turn into a benefit? Please share in the comments.
You found some very positive aspects on which to focus, but I just couldn’t do it. However, hearing your story helps to put into perspective my one-hour (each way) commute each day.
I have to admit, it got A LOT better when I didn’t have to drive the entire time. Driving is tiring.
Loved Enchantment. You’ll enjoy it but I’m willing to be you may be shaking your head yes throughout it because you already preach a lot of what Guy pushes us to practice.
My commute has been the same way. About 60 minutes on the train each way has allowed me to digest about a book a week, get back into sudoku puzzles, and sometimes just shut off from everything and reflect.
Thanks for sharing Liz!
It’s interesting listening to Enchantment – it’s my first ever audio book. Wondering if that will alter the experience. I’d love to know what you’ve been reading on your commute! I think for the next few months I’ll be catching up on the books I wanted to read over the last few years.
And for you to tell me I’m already enchanting….humbled. Thank you.
I cannot put into words how comforted I am to see that others have long commutes! Thank you, Liz, for the extra nudge to get back into podcasts (we have many of the same favorites).
I’ve started doing a lot of the same things on my hour or so commute each way. My 52 in 52 book challenge is a lot easier, and a lot more fun, with the (nearly) distraction free time I have to read. I also love the opportunity to relax and reflect on the day ahead, and the day I just left behind. Thanks for the validation that long commutes aren’t always so bad.
Thanks for reading, Lisa!
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