12 Things You Should Do on Your Commute Every Day

Your daily trip to and from work doesn't have to be a total waste of time.

Business Insider

 

By Jacquelyn Smith

Your daily trip to and from work doesn't have to be a complete waste of time. Experts say that with some strategic planning you can easily use your commute to recharge and boost productivity.

Amy Hoover, president of Talent Zoo, says that whether you drive, carpool, take a train, bike, or walk, making the most of that time can help set up the rest of your day. "If you're interested in knocking out some work or simply relaxing, there are things you can do to turn a lengthy commute from a frustrating time-eater to a satisfying and productive time of day."

Here are 12 productive things you can do during your commute:

Ramp up or wind down

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The first thing you need to do is recognize what kind of person you are, says Connie Thanasoulis-Cerrachio, a career expert and cofounder of SixFigureStart. If you're energized in the morning and tired in the early evening, for example, use your trip to work to accomplish tasks and your trip home to relax and reenergize.

Bicycle or walk to work, if possible.

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While it's unlikely to make your commute shorter, starting or finishing the day with some physical activity can keep your brain sharp, in addition to keeping your body in shape, says Rita Friedman, a Philadelphia-based career coach.

Reflect

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"Taking time each week during your commute to check in on your goals is a great way to stay on track and make adjustments," says Teri Hockett, chief executive of What's for Work? It's also the perfect time to think about what makes you happy and what areas of your life could be improved.

Read more "12 Things You Should Do on Your Commute Every Day"

      

The 13 Highest-Paying Jobs for People Who Want to Work Less Than 40 Hours a Week

These positions can help alleviate the feeling of being overworked.

Business Insider

By Rachel Gillett and Andy Kiersz

Putting in over 40 hours a week is becoming something of the norm in the US for a number of occupations, with some workers putting in an average of more than 58 hours a week.

As a result, more Americans are feeling overworked.

To find jobs that allow you to maintain work-life balance but still get paid well, we analyzed US Census data for about 478 occupations distilled by the Minnesota Population Center's 2013 American Community Survey Integrated Public Use Microdata Series.

According to this data, the average working American logs about 39 hours a week, and the median earned income � a sum of wage, salary, and business income � across all occupations is $32,000.

While some may work more or less than the average depending on their employer or where they are in their career, people with the following professions report typically working an average of less than 40 hours a week and earning at least $50,000 a year.

13. Postal service clerks

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Average hours typically worked a week: 39.32
Median earned income: $51,000
What they do: Perform any combination of tasks in a post office like receive letters and parcels; sell postage and revenue stamps, postal cards, and stamped envelopes; fill out and sell money orders; place mail in pigeon holes of mail racks or in bags; and examine mail for correct postage.

11. Registered nurses

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Average hours typically worked a week: 37.59
Median earned income: $56,000
What they do: Assess patient health problems and needs, develop and implement nursing-care plans, and maintain medical records

Read more       The 13 Highest-Paying Jobs for People Who Want to Work Less Than 40 Hours a Week

Companies hiring in December

Check out these 20 companies looking to hire this month.

If a new job is on your holiday wish list this season, you're in luck! Here are 20 employers with open positions to fill this December:

1. Anthem, Inc.
Industry: Health care insurer
Sample job titles: Nurse case manager, business analyst, customer care
Location: Nationwide
2. Arthrex
Industry: Manufacturing
Sample job titles: Manager of logistics, packaging supervisor, product manager, CNC machinist, quality engineer
Location: Naples and Fort Myers Fla.
3. Automation Personnel Services
Industry: Light industrial, administrative, skilled labor
Sample job titles: Forklift operator, machinist
Location: Houston; Dallas; Atlanta; Birmingham, Ala.
4. Barry-Wehmiller
Industry: Manufacturing
Sample job titles: Project manager, machine operator, software engineer, electrical engineer
Location: Nationwide
5. CGB Enterprises
Industry: Food production
Sample job titles: Regional analyst, general operations laborer, maintenance technician, underwriter � farm and ranch loans, grain merchandiser, accounting clerk, staff accountant
Location: Illinois, Kentucky, Ohio, Indiana, Texas, Louisiana, Oklahoma, Arkansas, Missouri
6. Caraustar Industries
Industry: Packaging, manufacturing, recycled goods
Sample job titles: Plant manager, process engineer, reliability engineer, maintenance mechanic
Location: Nationwide
7. Central Transport
Industry: Transportation
Sample job titles: Operations supervisor, customer service representative, .NET developer, account managers, terminal manager, operations supervisor, customer service representatives, operations analysts, collectors, appointment setters, information technology- entry level and management, data entry - billing, inside sales representative, entry level human resources, CDL A tractor trailer driver � solo, CDL A tractor trailer driver � team, dockworker (freight handler), diesel mechanic
Location: Michigan; California; Illinois; Georgia; Ohio; Texas; Indiana; Missouri; New Jersey
8. Creative Financial Staffing
Industry: Finance and accounting
Sample job titles: Staff accountant, controller, senior accountant, financial analyst
Location: Nationwide
9. CyberCoders
Industry: IT
Sample job titles: Support engineer, mobile developer, database administrator, tax manager
Location: Nationwide
10. E*TRADE Financial Corporation
Industry: Financial services
Sample job titles: Financial consultant, financial representative
Location: New York; Seattle; Chicago; Cupertino and Palo Alto, Calif.; Alpharetta, Ga.
11. Extra Space Storage
Industry: Retail
Sample job titles: Store manager, assistant store manager, district manager
Location: Nationwide
12. Fleetmatics
Industry: Fleet management software
Sample job titles: Inside sales representative, engineer, sales trainer, customer care
Location: Boston; Chicago; Scottsdale, Ariz.; Clearwater, Fla.
13. Levi, Ray & Shoup
Industry: IT/engineering
Sample job titles: Network engineer, .NET developer
Location: Nationwide
14. Pulte Group, Inc.
Industry: New home construction
Sample job titles: Sales consultant; field manager, construction; purchasing agent; assistant controller; corporate auditor; tax accountant
Location: Nationwide
15. Pyramid Consulting Group
Industry: Fashion and retail
Sample job titles: Retail sales associate, inventory, luxury sales associate, human resources, accountant, accounts payable, marketing
Location: New York; Seattle; Los Angeles; Key West, Fla.
16. QBE North America
Industry: Insurance
Sample job titles: Actuarial analyst, IT risk and governance analyst, finance analyst, lead claims relationship manager, assistant controller, senior accountant, underwriter
Location: Nationwide
17. Rockwell Automation
Industry: Industrial automation
Sample job titles: Technical support engineer, industrialization engineer, SharePoint developer, field support engineer, repair representative, human resource manager, product manager, test engineer, manufacturing engineer, IT integration manager
Location: Michigan, Iowa, Massachusetts, Ohio, Wisconsin, Texas, California, Michigan
18. TMX Finance
Industry: Financial services
Sample job titles: Call center representative, store manager, district manager, general manager, customer service representative, bilingual customer service representative
Location: Nationwide
19. ULINE
Industry: Equipment, packaging, retail
Sample job titles: Customer service, distribution manager, director of talent acquisition, inside sales, IT, marketing, recruiter, supply chain, warehouse
Location: Nationwide
20. Varsity Tutors
Industry: Education
Sample job titles: Private tutor, ruby on rails developer, citywide director
Location: Nationwide