Would you believe me if I told you I could turn five minutes into 60 hours?
It might sound like magic, but the secret lies in the simple act of giving yourself a little extra time. I love leaving early for the airport to minimize travel stress. Recently, I’ve applied my “travel mindset” to my daily commute, discovering that those extra minutes can transform the entire experience.
Yes, I’m one of those people who likes to get to the airport a full 90 minutes before my flight. I enjoy the time to fill my water bottle, browse the overpriced snacks (Peanut M&Ms really do taste better when you pay $3.95 for the bag), and find a seat in the boarding area to people-watch or read.
Ninety minutes is usually more than enough time. Given my preference for early morning flights and no checked baggage, traffic and security lines are typically no problem at O’dark hundred.
Usually.
But what if we go to the wrong terminal to return the rental car? What if the security line is longer than anticipated? What if we forget to separate our liquids and a grumpy TSA officer pulls our bag off the conveyor belt for a hand search?
In truth, all three of these things have happened to me. On the same day. I think sprinting through the airport and cursing might have been involved. We made our flight, so, what’s the big deal?
I did not like it one bit.
At some point, I realized this about myself: I don’t like feeling rushed. To be precise, I don’t like the sensation of rushing. My heart rate increases, my muscles become tense, my breathing feels shallow, and it seems my deodorant stops working.
Because I like to allow extra time, I am willing to endure the good-natured ribbing from family and friends. “Heading out for a flight tomorrow? Better leave for the airport now!” Because they love me and enjoy seeing me happy and relaxed, my travel companions are willing to accommodate my need for extra time, even if they’re more comfortable cutting it close.
Recently, I had another realization: I should adopt this mindset on my way to work. Why do I allocate plenty of time for flying—a few times a year at most—but find myself rushing out the door five minutes behind schedule for my daily commute? The stakes are lower—no danger of missing a plane—but the feeling of rushing is the same.
Like the old Army slogan, I used to brag that I do more before 9:00 a.m. than most people do all day. I was trying to squeeze in so much: reading, writing, walking the dog, exercising, getting ready, eating breakfast, and packing lunch all before 8:00 a.m. It’s no surprise that this often turned into 8:05 or even 8:10. In order to leave earlier, I decided to forgo my morning reading and instead try listening to an audiobook on my way to work.
My commute takes about 20 minutes. When I’m running late, it feels like I hit every red light and get stuck behind a guy turning left without signaling. I seem to encounter every possible delay—construction, a school bus, a trash truck. Conversely, when I leave just five minutes early, I have time to plug in my audiobook and find my sunglasses. When I’m stopped at a red light, I have time to notice and appreciate the wildflowers growing in the median. I have time to give someone a friendly wave, letting them merge in ahead of me.
In reality, the time it takes to get to work is about the same—but my perception is different. With those magical five minutes, I transform that time from a stressful rush to a pleasant, enjoyable experience. Let’s do the math: twenty minutes times 180 days of school equals 60 hours of improved quality time every year.
It’s a small change with a big impact—proving that sometimes, the magic truly is in those five minutes.
Below are three audiobooks I’ve enjoyed recently.
Any recommendations for my next book?
What great ideas!