My Mindful Commute

Photo from Nooga.com

General Theory

I find that I am most productive with bursts of effort ranging from 30 to 90 minutes. In general, I can "check" something off my to do list with 30 minutes of sustained work effort; anything requiring less than 30 minutes probably doesn't belong on a to do list. A task requiring more than 90 minutes - or the upper bound of how long I can stay focused on something - probably is a combination of several tasks, and not a single task. 

The key words for me in the first paragraph are "sustained" and "focused." I'm not a very good producer if I'm frequently distracted. Distractions come in many forms: computer or mobile notifications, wandering thoughts, human, to name a few. I find clarity in disconnecting from my network, helping me stay focused when I need to be productive. I also find clarity when I can calm my inner voice, and allow myself be totally mindful of an objective at hand.

I now use my daily commute to practice mindfulness by observing my surroundings and my own thoughts. For 80 to 90 minutes per day, I (try to) allow my thoughts to appear, without judgment or reaction, so that I can focus wholly on the many tasks waiting for me throughout the day. In other words, I allow my mind to wander for about 40 minutes each morning so that I can attack the day with complete focus. In the evening, I give myself about 40 minutes to decompress from the work day, so that I can be completely present with loved ones or attentive to responsibilities. 

How I Did (Do) It

During our honeymoon in the summer of 2015, we took a few meditation and mindfulness classes. I came home and tried to apply what I learned during those classes, and began searching the world wide web for advice to continue my practice. 

My practice took off in earnest a few months after our honeymoon. Since then (for the past two and a half years), I've been more deliberate about mindfulness. I started simply: I took off my headphones at the gym, I focused on my breath during yoga, I meditated more frequently (a few times a week for up to ten minutes), among other things. 

In a more recent development, and the genesis of this post, I stopped using my phone during my commute. Before this decision, I listened to as many podcasts as possible. Before podcasts, I used commute times for texts or emails. Now, I'm the guy standing on the train staring blankly at some MTA ad, or looking out the bus window. Rather than pull out my phone to get a head start on the day, I do nothing.

Successes and Failures

It's pretty hard for me to measure my progress or notice how or if I've changed at all. I think the first thing I noticed a couple of years ago was how quickly I would fall asleep, and the quality of sleep I have gotten has continued to improve. (I think getting more sleep plays a factor, too.) During conversations, I began to listen more intently and ask more questions. 

Here's what I love about my commute: I have nothing to do, and nothing to think. I'm free to let my mind wander. I can observe my surroundings. I can observe people. One thing that is apparent to me is just how many people are on their phones or have headphones in. Most of the time, I would say at least 50% of commuters are occupied by their phones. Try not using your phone for a week, or a day; I'm sure you will notice it, too.

Disconnecting during my commute took humility and practice, humility in recognizing that I'm not that important, and practice in living in my own thoughts and surroundings, rather than relying on my phone. 

Despite my best efforts, I will often check my phone just before the last stop on the train. There are times I think of something that might be useful to jot down in my phone, or think of a message I want to send, and I catch myself reaching for my phone. 

From the Pros

Although my mindfulness practice kicked off years ago, it wasn't until this past year that Manoush Zomorodi inspired me to put away my phone in her book Bored and Brilliant.

Has your smartphone become your BFF? Do you feel bored when you’re not checking Facebook or Instagram? Bored and Brilliant: How Spacing Out Can Unlock Your Most Productive and Creative Self explains the connection between boredom and original thinking, and explores how we can harness boredom’s hidden benefits to become our most productive selves.

If you're looking for an easy read on mindfulness, check out Peace is Every Step by Thich Nhat Han.

Peace and happiness are available in every moment. Peace is every step.