It’s starting to look a lot like summer here in Vancouver. If your commute is on public transportation, this can mean good and bad things. Hotter trains but with fewer passengers due to students getting the break off school. For the most part, things remain the same. I know for myself, I’m much more irritable in the heat, so commuting in the summer isn’t naturally fun. However, there are ways to make that commute so much better.
Listen to a Podcast
There is a multitude of podcasts out there to choose from. Whether you’re looking for business help, the news, art, history, random facts, true crime, you name it, it’s out there. Some popular podcasts out there are:
- Stuff You Should Know (SYSK)
- The Daily (New York Times)
- Freakonomics Radio
- HBR Ideacast (Harvard Business Review)
If your commute takes roughly 30 minutes, you’ll be able to listen to any of these podcasts from start to finish.
Learn a Language
Believe it or not, you can learn a language on your phone. Maybe you don’t become fluent in Mandarin, but you can at least pick up some phrases and understand things when people say them to you. It could be a good way to pass the time and immerse yourself in a new skill. Duolingo is one of the best ways to learn a new language. Each language is like a game with modules and quizzes to complete.
Find New Music
If you’re a subscriber to Apple Music, Spotify, Google Play Music, or even Tidal, you have access to hundreds of thousands of songs. Stop listening to a playlist you made a year ago and start finding new music to listen to. It could change the tone of your morning commute metaphorically and literally.
Read a Book
Remember those things that aren’t screens, called books? We wrote a blog post about all of our favourites for the summer. You can check that out here. Nothing eats away time like immersing yourself in a good story.
Plan your Day
Sometimes preparation can make you happy. Getting the satisfaction from having all your ducks in a row first thing in the morning can be awesome. Keep a little notebook with you and simply write out all the things you need to accomplish and want to accomplish that day. It will keep you in line with your professional and personal goals.