I was never a big fan of traveling, but today everything became so convenient that it is not much of a chore anymore. For ten years now we have had smartphones, and I am amazed at how much you can achieve with just your phone and the right data plan or even Wifi. It has never been a better time for writers or artists to work creatively on the go. Also, your office work is also the perfect thing to do on the go. Of course, it highly depends on the type of labor and the intensity you are looking for.
My current technological set-up for traveling in any circumstance is my iPhone and a small laptop, currently the 2016 Surface Book by Microsoft. It is such a great machine for anything you would want to do on the go. That is it for everything I need to be productive. I am positive that I am not alone with this basic set-up, but it is the modern office you can use everywhere around the world. Sitting on the train, your favorite coffee shop, at home or the bus stop, you can do everything on the go. So far nothing new, but what I want to achieve in this year is to just use my phone on the go for work, leisure and anything in between. No laptop if possible. I mean, I could work on PowerPoints on my phone, I could write this article on the phone, but I am currently not, it is just not practical. However, still, this is something I want to figure out. Anyhow, but how can you be productive so that you can use your time efficiently in spite of playing Candy Crush or Pokémon Go. Here are some routines that I use to make the most of my travel time.
Use the commute to work to clear your email inbox
I do not drive to work, I have never liked driving in the major cities and taking the train is so much more convenient, even with potential problems that could arise. Emails are not longer that huge deal for anyone if we could we would kill email if possible (anyone disagrees on that?). I am happy to work with Microsoft Teams or Slack in some environments now because it is much faster and easier than emailing people over and over again. So, getting on the train and doing emails first thing is an excellent practice you can do on your phone. IT also helps you to structure the day, make priorities and evaluate fires early in the day. Depending on your job position you can keep it very short and give people the go that they need. Brilliant.
Do you drive to work? No problem, just have your team call in and plan the day and activities. Why wait when you can gain potentially 30–60 minutes time, depending on how flexible you or your workforce comes to work.
Social Media engagement
It does not matter if you are using Social Media privately or in a business context as a brand or company etc. pp. You probably don’t engage as much as you should. Every platform got their app, especially Instagram or Snapchat work best on the go or even only on a mobile device. Use the time you have available to engage with your community. You might not think they are interested, but don’t say no for them. It is not always about posting something new, most of the time you will get reactions to your content and simply giving a like to a comment or saying “Thanks” can work wonders. This will work amazingly in a brand context. It is also the time to follow new people, get updates on current trends or merely sharing an interesting article. Try it if you are not used to it, it is fun.
Call someone you usually don’t have the time to talk to
That is a personal recommendation, and I often use the time to call some of my best friends or my family to get in touch and have some time to talk. You can enjoy the scenery and let the mind wander while you speak. It will improve your relationship with that person and will make you feel more connected. Trust me, I am speaking from experience. Just consider your best friend lives across the globe in different time zones, spontaneity is the key.
Read articles or watch videos
This one is a no-brainer, but what if you do not always have access to the internet and have some off time because of reception interference? Good news there is an app for that! I also struggle with this phenomenon of bad to none mobile internet reception. However, an app called “Pocket” can rescue you from staring into space. It is a fantastic app that you can use on your phone or your browser as a plugin that will enable you to save anything locally to enjoy later. The app synchronizes on all devices and gives you access to the things you curated with it. The beauty of it, it is possible with anything from articles, blogs, videos or even pictures you want to look at later. So whenever you find something good but you do not have the time for it, save it for later and enjoy on the go. It is as simple as that.
Talk to people
You will never know who sits beside you. That alone is an interesting fact. Don’t force yourself if it does not feel natural, but sometimes it is just a great way to connect with someone. I always try to join in a conversation if it is about something I am passionate about. Be it video games, the newest technology trends or the upcoming Game of Thrones season; it is just great to talk about your interests. Considering you might see that person more than once, you could also develop a friendship over time, who knows?
Try out meditation
I know, I have been adamant about this, but I enjoy meditating. It has never been easier to start with Apps such as Calm or Headspace. Just ten minutes a day, if you do not like it, just delete the app, no harm done. Sometimes it is very noisy on the go, but you can focus on the noise as training. You could also invest in some noise canceling headphones, which are also invaluable when you fly a lot. So if you find those 10–15 minutes that are free on your way home, to work or in the park. Give it ago.
Anything to add?
I am always on the lookout for new hacks, habits or strategies to use on the go or in life. Feel free to share yours in the comments below.
Thanks for reading!
Sebastian
Originally published at www.sebarsch.com.
Originally published at medium.com