Self Help

What does your morning commute into work look like? How about the trip home? Not a pretty picture, huh? Isn’t it time you revamped how you get from here to there? Don’t use the morning commute for breakfast. Make a point of getting up early enough and doing whatever it takes to have a quiet, well-balanced breakfast before you make the trip to the office. Eating on the run is bad for your digestion, doesn’t set you up for a good day, and besides, you can mess up your clothes or spill coffee all over your car. More stuff to do!

If you drive, make the drive time count. Use it for “self-talk” about your goals for the day. Listen to a tape that’ll help increase your management skills or teach you something. Play an audio book. Carry a small tape recorder with you and record thoughts and ideas to follow up on later.

If all your brain cells aren’t activated first thing in the morning, at least listen to some music that will set you up for a great day. Does your car look like your desk used to look? Are there fast-food wrappers, overdue library books, and papers all over the place? That’s no way to start out your day. Schedule part of this weekend to clean it. Vacuum the inside and wipe down the surfaces that collect dust. Wash it or get it washed if it needs it. Make sure the windows are clean and the wipers work properly. Take the old buggy in for an oil change if you’ve been putting that off.

Put together a commuter survival kit in a sturdy container with a lid. It could include a box of tissues, a simple tool kit, a first aid kit, a flashlight (keep the batteries in a separate plastic bag…they’ll last longer), some flares, and maybe a cellular phone. In cold climates, make sure you have all the necessary implements to handle snow and ice removal, plus extra clothing and a folding pair of rubber boots in case you get stranded. Always carry water. Add another point in the Peace of Mind column.

How about carpooling? If this is a solution that can work for you, use the days you don’t drive to catch up on your reading or as planning time. This works as long as everyone in the car pool has the same goal, otherwise you may end up losing the time socializing. Don’t allow a car pool to make you too tied to a routine, however. You may fall into the trap of allowing it to limit your ability to stick to your organization plan. It may be necessary to beg off of the car pool now and then so you can come in early or stay late. You control your schedule, not the car pool. Use it to help you find more time, but don’t let it rule your time.

If you use public transportation to get to work, get in the habit of using your commuting time to support you in your goals. On the morning commute you may want to listen to a motivational or instructional tape or an audio book. Use travel time for daily planning or to catch up on your reading. If that’s not enough to keep you busy, there’s personal correspondence, catalog shopping, keeping a journal, paying bills, filling out medical insurance claims, or doing a favorite craft if it’s portable enough. Make a list of your personal favorites for your planner/organizer.