Commute Time Management

I've been reading various Time Management books lately, comparing and contrasting methods and recommendations. One book seemed pretty reasonable (if I discounted the fact that the author thought his audience consisted primarily of managers). Then toward the end, I tripped over a disturbing contradiction.

The author had presented a chapter on workaholics — people who are compulsive about working — and provided some suggestions for breaking the workaholic syndrome. He had also told a story of a woman who successfully broke her habit of "stay late every night, then take work home". All was well, until I reached a short section at the end of Part 2, entitled "Just for Commuters".

In all the years I rode into the city on a commuter railroad, one hour each way, I never ceased to marvel at the numbers of people who spent the time reading the newspaper, playing cards, or dozing. Those who used their commute time productively — for business reading, writing reports, or answering correspondence — were definitely in the minority, often almost nonexistent.

Hrmph. The author would be happier on my commuter train. Personally, I never cease to marvel at the number of people who haul out the laptop and work work work until they reach their stop, then head for the shuttle bus, grab a seat, and continue to work until they get in to the office. What makes this more "productive" than reading the newspaper or a novel? How do we justify the concept of "leave work at the office" with "do business reading and writing in the train"?

In Part 3 of the same book, the author presents the personal comments of a dozen successful time managers. One woman writes "I do not take work home ... Usually, I do not look at my in-box at all during the day. I take it with me to read on my fifty-minute train commute home."

Does that seem contradictory to you? I think she's deluding herself. What is the contents of her in-box but work she is taking home.? Even if she gets it all sorted on the train, the train has become an extension of the office.

When I leave the Job, I leave my Work at the office. On my trip home, I settle my mind and decompress. I watch the view or read a book. Sometimes I make notes to myself, if I think of something I need to remember. By the time I reach my stop, I've moved into "home" mode. I'm calmer. Commute time should be a time for mentally changing gears, not packing in more work.

I guess the real question is, how do you define "Productivity"? I define it as getting things done that are important. One of the Priorities on my To-Do list is ensuring that I have time to relax, unwind, and reduce stress. That and time to read something I want to read.