Ask HN: How to be productive while travelling? | Hacker News Reader

Ask HN: How to be productive while travelling?

I take the bus to the gym which takes about 30 minutes each way. I can't read on the bus because I like to take notes. Obviously, can't write software. It is difficult to retain knowledge from podcasts. Any tips on how to be productive during those 60-70 minutes for those who don't have a car and spend valuable time travelling?

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Relax, enjoy the scenery. Strike up a conversation. Use that one hour a day to think about nothing. Trying to squeeze “productivity” out of every waking moment is a road to burnout and insanity. This obsession with “productivity,” whatever that means (what is produced other than busy-ness?) seems like a mental illness if it’s real, or severe attention-seeking behavior if it’s not.

I guess it depends on the type of productivity you're after. You could conceptualize software or schedule design through visualization, for example. This has worked really well for me. Or you could pick a learning topic which is amenable to travel, like learning to play poker on your phone or practicing morse code by tapping out signs and license plates onto your legs.

Really though, the details are going to matter here. Usually if you can get more detailed about exactly which details don't work, you'll find better traction faster. Good luck.

Just relax and practice "presence" using some divided attention technique. Use that time to expand your brain instead of draining energy from it.

Instead of taking full real notes just note the time stamp of the interesting stuff then go back later, re-listen, and take notes.

I do a similar thing for good songs in mixes. I just note the time then look up the tracklist later.

Can you write up a journal entry on your phone or in a notebook? Maybe some thoughts on yesterday and how you're feeling today.

I've found journaling to be a great productivity enhancer, especially since I can do a debrief of the last month and see where things went well and where they did not so I know what to do (and not do) again.

One thing that has worked quite well for me is to listen to podcasts that are interesting but concerning topics that I don’t need to act upon. Hence no urge to take notes. E.g. macroeconomics and stuff like that.

Meditate?

Use the kindle app and take notes?

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