16. |
Arrive at Work Early |
If you want to be happier and more productive at work and have less stress in your life, stop rushing. Disengage from the very idea of rush hour, a term that at its very core is counterproductive. You get to choose how you feel when you begin your workday. You can follow the herd and rush each morning, or you can begin your day in an easier and more relaxed manner.
A number of years ago I took a freelance assignment teaching computer software at a technology school about thirty miles from my home. After the first few days of driving in heavy commuter traffic during the morning rush hour, I became determined to find a better way.
One morning I decided to leave my home twenty minutes earlier just to see what effect that might have on my trip. It turned out to be the ideal solution. Because I left for work a bit earlier, I was just ahead of the big traffic buildup. In my case this meant thousands of commuters heading toward Philadelphia, the fifth largest city in America.
Depending on where you live, your plan would need to be adjusted for your local conditions. My leaving home just twenty minutes ahead of what would have been the normal time to leave enabled me to enjoy a leisurely drive in light to moderate traffic.
As it turned out, my travel time was reduced by another twenty minutes, giving me time to relax and enjoy a morning coffee. The added benefit of my arriving early, aside from my being more relaxed and not feeling stressed, was that because I had the extra forty minutes, I could work on my own writing. As a result I completed my second book.
How much better would you feel if you could ease into your day, arriving at your workplace with plenty of time to spare? How would it feel to be relaxed on your journey, knowing you had ample time instead of being one of the harried, stressed-out commuters that you see in any city in the world, early on a workday.
Why not give yourself the gift of an enjoyable morning commute? All it takes is a little planning and the willingness to leave a bit earlier. You will begin your day relaxed and be in a physical and mental state to be more productive. (You may even decide to write a book.)
And if you make use of your travel time by listening to audio programs and podcasts, you can turn your car into a “university on wheels.” Over time this practice will enable you to become knowledgeable about almost any subject you wish to learn.