Use "Wasted" Time (Such as Driving) Learning

I was recently reminded of a great idea I have used for years on my post titled How to Find the Perfect Home: Convenience:

I'm not sure I agree 100%. I used to work 1 hour away from work and now I am only 10min. I miss the time to relax either listening to music or learning 4 languages from tapes. I also learned about different grass seed and what's best in certain applications. I think the next time I look for a job, I will make sure that my commute is at least 25 min. one way.

I have listened to audio books while driving to and from work for many years. I've learned a lot about personal finance during that time by "reading" the latest money-related books -- checking out CDs (when I started it was tapes) from the library and then listening to them on the way to and from work. It's a great way to make "down" time into productive time.

Comments

[Beastlike]

I think it is a good time for that but at the same time it's nice just to relax after a long days work!

[Ryan]

I use this time driving to clean out my nasal cavity.

[Matt Wolfe]

I've listened to audiobooks in my car for years now. I think it's a great way to learn in your "down time".

[Mrs. Micah]

I read on the metro. Some days it sucks (too many people, getting squished, not being able to turn pages) but most of the time it's great. I've thought about doing audio books, but I like being able to respond to the world around me and I don't have an iPod/mp3 player, so that would be an expense.

[Lord]

I heartily recommend NightingaleConant for their personal development materials.

[otherhand]

Long-distance commuters have seemingly fathomless capabilities for self-deception and justification. Take the time you would otherwise spend driving and sit down with a real book. It's just as stimulating, you can read faster than you listen, it's better for the environment, and cheaper to boot.

[limeade]

This is a great topic, and I actually do this myself. In fact, I wrote about it in a post titled Your Mobile University.

[brent]

Yeah. You're probably right.

Better to spend that time learning about grass seeds and useless languages than to spend time with your family.

Now I know what I've been missing out on all this time!!

[Matt]

If you take transit its that much better since you don't have to pay attention to the road. You just have to have the motivation to keep it up.

[Lord]

It doesn't have to be long distance. Even 20 minutes can be used. I find reading slower than listening, but my reading is more studying.

[Andy2]

Why wouldn't you just take the time you saved while driving and do the same thing? These don't have to be done in a car. And you would save money on commuting expenses. Sit at home and listen for 50 minutes with a 10 minute drive, rather than drive an hour and listen.

[Beth]

There is something about being on trasnportation that is relaxing--there is no one that can make you do something else. If you were at home, there's likely a family member will interupt. However, I'd rather my short commute to work, and if I needed the time alone, I'd pick a grocery store farther away and do the grocery shopping there--I wouldn't be driving in traffic or feel rushed. (I live alone right now, so the point is moot, but I still enjoy a good road trip--if I'm alone, it's time to myself where no one can say, "Hey, can you come over and..." or with others, because we can hold uninterupted conversations.)

[iarenoob]

I listen to my real estate podcasts and seminars during my car drive. I am a real estate investor and I drive about 60 miles round trip. This helps a lot! Especially in traffic.