Maximize the travel, minimize the time:Manage your time effectively on the go!

The road goes on and on and yet there is no end in sight. No service station to sort out some stuff at home or a moment to check up on how your amazon delivery went. No time to manage anything other than the boxes up back. For many lorry drivers that’s considered an inescapable reality. But this doesn’t just come down to a time constraint, it also puts you so behind in your day-to-day life that it becomes hard to squeeze all your other commits in later. This can lead to issues at home or in you losing all that was once left of you as a person. This eerie future can very well be avoided, if you:

Optimize your time at work

We sometimes have a mental block in our minds that work time means no time for anything else. This is so not true! We live in a time and era where work consumes a major part of our lives. We put it on this pedestal like many if we can’t juggle with our daily lives when we are very well can. Take this example of a lorry driver driving all day long. While on the drive, you can get a to do list done and make sure to stick to it.

Get a little jog in, eat at designated times and make a phone call. Get a couple calls done that are hands-free. This will save you from having to do things when you are off during breaks to get it stress free. This will streamline your day. We need to work on our ability to multitask many things at once. However, do this in moderation as in not during eating or before sleeping as this can have adverse effects on your mental health.

Make good hobbies

A wise man once said always keep a bit of space for fun because this is the powerhouse of creativity. So make some time in your day life whether at work or at home for some sort of hobby. It doesn’t necessarily have to be anything big or work related, just something that helps you pick up a new skill and most importantly something you enjoy. You can do it during your lunch, breaks or before bed, whatever time works for you. This will help you keep your brain working and open your mind to different mindsets. Hobbies you can take up can include, reading, journaling, photography, illustrating etc.

Audiobooks,Podcasts and auditory media.

A Lot if the time spent as a lorry driver is spent on the road. Due to this, they don’t get to do many other activities while driving. A Good alternative to just sitting in your truck idle if nothing else is to start listening to a form of auditory media. While it is true that one’s eyes must always be on the road, the same can’t be said about a driver’s ears. Whilst you’re driving, learn something new by listening to an audiobook or podcast on a chosen topic.

Make sure to pick something you’ll like so that it can really enjoy the experience and stick to it. You don’t even have to actively be listening to it but the fact that you’re listening to it while doing an adrenaline inducing activity like driving will really set the knowledge to mind without you even realizing it. Or you can also listen to some white noise or 40 hz noise to really get you locked in on the road. It has been proven that this frequency of noise sets a person’s mind on theta waves which are related to concentration and focus.

Follow up on the latest games

On the topic of auditory media, pop on the radio and follow a team which you support. It can really be rewarding and stimulating to listen to some good old radio to follow the latest games. We really help you spend your downtime on something you can be passionate about. It can honestly be any sport if it’s something you love. This way, you won’t lose out just because you’re working, and it can keep you driven. Just remember to not get too passionate, you might just be depressed all week.

Meditate

It is very beneficial to spend a bit of time especially in the morning or evening to meditate. You don’t necessarily have to sit somewhere with your eyes closed and feel enlightened. No, that’s not the point of meditation. The main point is to bring some perspective into your life so that you can think ahead on the next best steps to move forward. You can even do it on the drive. Instead of idly spending your time on nothing else, reflect on the day and how it’s been. How van tomorrow or the rest of the day be the best you’ve ever had. Stick to it and you’ll see the wonders unfold. Remember that Rome was conquered in a day (or something along those lines)!

So, in summary, use your time on something productive or good instead of overly being idle. Oviously this isn’t to say that you must stay productive all the time as that is not realistic and creates a toxic work culture, but that you are more responsible with your time. I hope this article has shed some well needed insights on how to spend your time responsibly.