I love travelling long distances because this is the time I get most of my work done. Especially when you’re in a plane where there’s no Wifi, it’s so much easier to get a chunk of work done without any distractions.
Here are a few ways to spend your time productively when travelling!
1. Use plane time to catch up on emails, plan your week or write
If you’re a writer, this is the best time to write a chapter or plot out an outline. If you’re not, it’s a great time to catch up on all your work emails, when you are not constantly being interrupted. As I write this, I am on a bus from Zurich to Munich, looking out into snow-capped mountains and tiny little houses.
2. Use short chunks of time to cheat
For example, I often need to transfer my photos from my camera to my phone. I find this quite a drag, even though it doesn’t take long, because I would rather spend my free time writing or reading something interesting. When I’m on a train for a short while, like 10 minutes, I use this time to transfer it. By the time I get home, everything is uploaded on my iCloud and my photos are ready for me to publish!
3. Jot down notes, ideas and thoughts
The best ideas come at random times, in random places. Always have a pen and notepad with you to write down your thoughts. A lost idea is a lost gem! I often have the best ideas (in my opinion) and am extremely inspired when I’m in a new place.
4. Listen to an audiobook or podcast
If you’re the type that gets a massive headache while reading or writing on a moving vehicle, then an audiobook or a podcast might be the answer to you. You’ll have instant entertainment and you’ll be learning something.
5. Open your eyes and mind to how people around you behave
When you’re in a new country and experiencing a new culture, try to understand where they are coming from and how these people solve problems. You might find yourself getting new solutions to problems you have been stuck on, when you take on a completely different view of it.