I’ve recently moved house so have been investigating the new ways available to get to work.  My preferred method remains my trusty bicycle, but thankfully for days when this isn’t an option there are alternatives, although being London the car generally isn’t one of them.  The daily commute is often a pretty horrid experience however, especially in the summer months.  It always amazes me how people manage to get so smelly first thing in the morning, but suffice to say the summer heat only exacerbates the situation, especially when you are armpit height like me.

I’ve used my time commuting around London to come up with a few strategies to make the experience a little bit more enjoyable.

5 ways to make your commute more fun

1. Make it productive time – With my job I tend to read (a lot), but with technology being what it is, finding the quiet time and place to really immerse yourself is tough.  Riding the bus or train to work fits the bill.  If reading isn’t your thing, listen to some educational things on your MP3 player.  There are loads of good free ones available on iTunes, with this offering from Stanford a favorite of mine – http://ecorner.stanford.edu/.
2. Be sociable – London commutes are legendary in the isolation with which each commuter tends to travel.  Eye contact is rarely made and it’s amazingly common to travel with the same faces every morning for months/years without ever saying a word to them.  Reclaim your humanity by making eye contact with your fellow travelers, and don’t be afraid to strike up a conversation.  After all, it’s much better to talk to your neighbour than someone on your phone (major annoyance to fellow travelers)
3. Get some exercise – Cycling in London isn’t for the feint-hearted but with Boris Bikes scattered about the place it has never been easier, and I can certainly recommend it.  You get some relatively fresh air, the exercise gets your blood pumping and you save a bit of money.  A super way of getting your day off to the right start.
4. Don’t go hungry – There’s little worse than being stuck on a hot train so make sure you have some water and something to nibble on.  My personal favorite is a small pot of mixed nuts as they offer a healthy source of energy that’s easy to pick at.
5. Let your mind wander – Life is increasingly hectic, and those moments of contemplation increasingly valuable.  Inspiration often strikes when we least expect it, so use your commute to let your mind wander.  Make sure you have some means of recording your thoughts should a Eureka moment occur.  A notebook or something digital does the trick for me.

How do you make your commute enjoyable?

Adi Gaskell is the editor of The Management Blog for the Chartered Management Institute, a professional body for managers and leaders in the UK

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