HUSTLE HACK .02

Commuting to a 9-5 job is an unavoidable part of every day for a large portion of the working population, but that doesn’t mean you have to chalk up that time spent in transit as a loss.

For someone with a side hustle, time is too precious a commodity to let anywhere from 20 minutes to 2 hours go to waste. But how do you make the most of it when you’re behind the wheel, in a ride share, on public transportation or maybe even riding a bike or walking?

Check out these five ways to transform your commute into a productive part of your day

Every small business owner should be prepared to deliver the perfect one minute elevator pitch at any given moment. That doesn’t happen overnight though, it takespractice and fine tuning. So whether that’s writing and rewriting it while on the train or pitching aloud to all your fellow road warriors on the freeway; perfect that pitch so the next time someone asks about your side hustle you’re ready.

English may be the international language for business, but maybe you have a client, a distributor, an investor or a market segment that speaks another language. Your time spent in captivity (aka commuting) is the perfect time to download a language app and work on whatever new language is going to help you manage your business relationships more effectively.

Whether you set up a standing call with your business partner every morning or you return the calls you missed throughout the day on your commute home, using this time to make phone calls will not only tick things off your to do list, but it will also help pass the time more quickly. Just be sure to use a hands-free device if you’re driving!

Regardless of the mode of transportation, listening to something as you cruise has become almost second nature. Music is the easy go to, and there are perks to amping up or unwinding with tunes, but you can also use this time to stay current on industry trends. Listen to your favorite motivational, business, or industry-specific podcasts to keep your passion burning bright.

Show up with a plan. Use your commute to make a list whether it’s on your smart device (via audio note for drivers!), in a notebook or even on your VELO tin. The act of making a list will help organize your thoughts, prioritize tasks and enable you to jump straight to action when you get to your destination. 

Never again let your commute feel like a time suck. Put these tips into action and share how you’re optimizing your commute with us at @VELO_US using #TheVeloUSHustle.