Keys to Productive Driving

Imagine how learning a foreign language could change your life. How would it feel to not rely on an interpreter to help customers at work? How much more would you enjoy your next vacation abroad if you could actually understand the locals?

There are many audio language programs that you can listen to and improve your language skills. My top favorite language course for the car is Pimsleur. Even if you only drive 30 minutes a day, you will finish one level in a month. Audible is the most affordable option I’ve found for these courses. Click here to get a free 30 day trial + a free audiobook.

Back in 2011, I wanted to learn some Farsi so that I could host some guests from Iran. I was a single mother, worked, and was a full-time student in college. Needless to say, I had zero spare time. So I took a chance on Pimsleur and just listened to the audio lessons as I drove between daycare, work, and university. Within 2 weeks I was practicing with Persian friends from school. When my guests arrived a few months later, we were able to communicate on a basic level! (For everything else, there was Google Translate.)

I really didn’t think that I would enjoy audiobooks. However, after so many long-distance trips I realized that listening to music didn’t keep me alert for more than 2 hours.

When you’re listening to music on your playlist, you’re playing music that you already know. Eventually, you’ll zone out, not be as alert, and boredom will kick in. Even if you tune in to a different radio station, after about two hours you’ll start to hear some of the same songs.

Listening to audiobooks kills two birds with one stone ––you can LISTEN to those books that your friends and grandma keep telling you to read. Audible to the rescue again–it’s an affordable option with LOTS of content. Not sure if you’d enjoy audiobooks? Sign up for a free 30 day trial + a free audiobook.

‘Nuff said.

THIS! What better place is there to practice your singing skills than in a car where no one can hear you? You can practice with music or a capella. What I usually do is practice the same song several times with the music, then record myself singing on my smartphone. Then I replay the audio to hear my voice and discover what parts I need to improve, and which techniques worked out well for my voice. Smoke it at your next karaoke night!

There are so many podcasts available, you are bound to find some that you will it will be right up your alley. You can listen to interviews, lectures, and many enjoyable shows.

If you are in college and are able to record lectures, you can re-listen to them while you’re driving for review. If taking online courses, this is a great time to listen to the lectures! That will save time so that all you’ll have to focus on when you get off the road is your homework.

If you struggle to find time to write, then driving long-distance alone could be a blessing in disguise. You can use apps such as Evernote and Google play to record your voice while driving. The apps will transcribe your words so that when you have time to sit down at your computer you can just edit them but the majority of the work will be done.

Are you trying to start a blog, but just don’t have time to write new posts right now? If you blog on WordPress, you can create a new post by just recording your voice! Use the voice-to-text feature on your smartphone to transcribe your next blog post. When you are safely off the road and ready to publish your post, it won’t take long to edit it, because your post will mostly be done. In fact, that is exactly how I “wrote” this post!

Sometimes long-distance driving can serve to help you clear your head and FINALLY have peace and quiet to think. Listening to music and fiction books can be enjoyable ways to destress and make the time go by. But, if you don’t have a lot of spare time, long-distance trips can be a perfect time (perhaps the ONLY time) that you can catch up on your reading, writing projects and even learn a new language or skill.