You might be feeling the holiday rush already especially on the road. Well, even on regular days my husband always advises me to allot at least two hours if I am traveling from north to south of Metro Manila. Imagine what you can do with that amount of time!
Indeed, Metro Manila has the worst traffic in the world, according to the global traffic and navigation app Waze. But whining and complaining won’t solve traffic. While stuck in Uber, cab, or private car, and with a power bank that can charge your phone at least three to four times its battery life, a pocket LTE WiFi, and a lot of patience, you can make the horrendous traffic more worthwhile:
1. Schedule a Skype call.
When you know that you’ll be traveling down EDSA, schedule at least a thirty-minute Skype call with your team or client. The highway stretch has Internet signal (fingers crossed), good enough for connecting you to video calls plus the long drive allows you to be focused and have a full-time conversation. If the internet fails you, try having a regular call.
2. Jot down creative and business ideas.
They say you think of creative ideas when you do mundane things, like when you are walking or taking a bath. Now, recreate this exercise and make being stuck in traffic the perfect time to let the creative concepts come to your mind! Let your imagination flow as you wander and pass by cars or buildings. Look up to the big skies to get inspiration and solutions to business challenges.
Make sure to jot the ideas down and refer to them when needed. Who knows, as your mind drifts in traffic, you get the best eureka moment.
3. Reply to e-mails.
What a productive way it is to get to check and answer your e-mails before you arrive at work or a meeting. Checking your e-mails only requires you to be still (and have a good connection). Be a step ahead in your work activities by finishing answering your e-mails in the car.
4. Check on the kids and the business.
Being a mom and boss, you need to check on the kids and the biz every now and then. Install a camera that you can access online and keep an eye on what’s happening with them. Having a lot of time in your hands allows you to take a long look in your camera and see if the things that mostly matter to you are being taken care of while you are away.
5. Listen to inspiring self-help audios.
Put on some Tony Robbins, Oprah Winfrey, or other motivational speakers that you like to listen to and get inspired. Whether you are driving or at the passenger’s seat, this is an ideal time to clear your mind and let the inspirational words go into your head. It will also prep you up and give the positivity that you need in dealing with tasks, meetings, and school projects when you get home.
6. Visualize plans.
While you are seated and coursing through the metro, look out the window and envision plans for your life: your road map, new business venture, partnership, kids’ future, new house, etc. This is a great time to take one step back, contemplate, and let your plans unfold.
The key in making traffic work for you is to schedule productive activities that you can do while you are in it. Think of it as a useful time that allows you to do more and be more.