All of that time you spend driving to and from the office, to clients, to meetings, chauffeuring your kids around town, running errands…it may seem like the best time to check some items off of your to-do list.  While multi-tasking might make you feel like you’re accomplishing more, focusing on more than one thing at a time can actually deflate your productivity.  More importantly, if you’re driving and trying to multi-task (checking email, taking business calls, etc.), you’re not only endangering yourself, but putting others at risk as well.

Stay Safe and Boost Productivity by Following These 7 Tips:

1. Avoid Checking Email and Texting While Driving.  Not only is it illegal in many states, it’s down-right dangerous.  This is also a good exercise in self-control.
2. Avoid Taking Business Calls While Driving.  You want to be able to give all of your focus to your clients and/or colleagues; this includes noting important information and reminders.  Focus on the road, and save the note-taking for when you return to your desk.
3. Don’t Make Plans During Your Commute.  Fumbling with your calendar is along the same lines as texting and checking email.  Don’t try to convince yourself that you will remember to update your calendar when you get to your destination.  Just think of how unprofessional it will look when you miss a meeting to which you verbally committed.
4. Ask Yourself Questions:  What are your key goals for the day or week? Is your time in that area proportional to the importance of that goal?
5. Think: To be truly productive, one of the best things you can do is take time in your day to plan and think ahead.  As they say, one minute of planning will save you ten minutes of execution.
6. Focus: Highly successful people say that one of their greatest talents is the ability to focus on the right things.  First and foremost, focus on getting to your destination safely.  Consider listening to speeches or pre-recorded presentations that pertain to your professional focus this week.
7. Practice for Presentations:  Go over key points.  Practice speaking.  Listen to your voice inflection, tone and volume.  This is a great time to do this, as you don’t have to worry about anyone hearing.

Remember, driving isn’t the best time to try to squeeze in extra tasks.  Your long commute doesn’t have to impact your productivity.  Use the above 7 steps as a guide to get you where you’re going safely (physically and professionally.)