detest your protracted commute ? You ’re not the only one : A recent survey foundthat nearly one-half of American employee say that their commutation experience affects their time in the office . But if you employ this time to prepare for your workday ( instead of , say , reading or playing with your phone ) , new research advise , you may actually supercharge career expiation .
A late Association for Psychological Science blog postlooked at a Harvard Business School cogitation examining how commute behaviour tempt workers ’ attitudes toward their professional life [ PDF ] . Researchers cleave 154 volunteer subjects into two chemical group ; appendage of the control chemical group were instruct by schoolbook message to go about their commutes as common , but to pay close aid to how they pass their journeys . In dividing line , a indiscriminately - assign " goal - directed " group received regular text edition apprise them to think about manner to be more fat during their trips into the office . ( It said : “ Many the great unwashed regain it helpful to make a programme of their work day , or week forrader and reflect on how these plans will aid them achieve their long - terminus personal and career goals . For example , what are the strategies you have for the week to be productive ? ” )
The study lasted for six weeks . At the end , member of the 2nd group — who had devote time and vigour to focusing on oeuvre - related goal during their downtime — report feeling happy with their jobs , and less stressed out .
The study ’s finding boil down to this notion : You might not be able to change your prospicient commute , but you’re able to modify your outlook . Individuals who dislike traveling to and from work often attempt to offset disconfirming emotion with merriment distraction , like books or music ( which are among thebest talent for commuters ) . But people who focus on their future goals and how they can reach them will finish up feeling more prepared — and far more optimistic — than their peers .
[ h / tScience of Us ]
This clause was originally put out in 2016 and has been updated .
