Traffic University
When it comes to self-development and learning the majority of individuals break out statements proclaiming they don’t have time to read a book or delve into a podcast. there’s no room in their schedule whatsoever to journal despite them knowing the immense benefits associated with doing so.
They go to college, they have a job, a dog to walk and a gym routine to keep up with. Every moment of their day is supposedly jam packed...
I can guarantee you that there’s at least a pocket or two of time during your day that we can harness to get ahead and be productive, to become a subject matter expert.
The time I’m specifically referencing is the time you spend commuting to and from your daily commitments. Robin Sharma, author of “The Monk Who Sold His Ferrari” and “The 5am Club” calls using this otherwise dead time productively Traffic University.
“But SJ, I hardly spend any time commuting! I love the idea of traffic University but it won’t work for me...”
Unless you job involves working from home, you train strictly in a home gym, you get your groceries delivered to your front door and you rarely got out socially you might be an exception, but I know 99% of you will be able to gain a substantial amount of productive time by harnessing this dead time.
Let’s see... take out a pen and paper and let’s take inventory, list all of the commuting you do via car and public transport each day.
Below is a commuting sample from a normal day in my life
- 10 minutes to get to the gym
- 10 minutes get home from the gym
- 15 minutes to the office
- 15 minutes to get home from the office
"The hours that ordinary people waste, extraordinary people leverage." - Robin Sharma
That’s 55 minutes in total but would likely turn out to be just over an hour based on traffic most days.
Instead of writing this time off like I used to and listening to music or gazing out the window I see this as a bonus hour for getting things done.
Nowadays When commuting in always attending traffic University. If I’m driving I’m listening to a podcast or audiobook and gaining new knowledge, not only on fitness, dieting or business but any other topic (there are a ton of great history podcasts out there) on my quest to become a modern day renaissance man.
If I’m on the train, bus or subway I’m likely glued to my Kindle Paperwhite, hardcover book or writing in my journal.
This time adds up quickly day by day, week by week as does the knowledge acquired while doing so.
In my case this 1 additional hour a day equates to 7 hours of new usable time, I’ve basically added an extra hour to my day.
That’s 28 hours a month.
That’s 336 hours a year.
Think about how far ahead you could be with 336 hours of subject matter knowledge absorbed while you commute. That’s how you get ahead of your competition, be it in business, mental toughness or any other endeavor.
Don’t wish for a shorter commute, embrace and use your time productively.
If your commute was shorter you’d probably waste the time at home before you had go get in the car lazing on the couch on social media or getting in an extra episode or two on Netflix before you head out the door.
If you have a long commute embrace it.
Use it. 6 months from now you’ll either be in the same place you are if you continue what you’re doing now, or you could have taken your life to the next level by being productive.
Semester 1 of traffic University begins tomorrow. All you’ve got to do is get in your car, strap on your seat belt and get that audiobook of podcast playing.