Road trip time! En route to my girlfriends parents house to introduce them to our new puppy Kingston, and show them her new car.
That means I am not driving, so brought along my portable office: iPad and keyboard. with the intent on doing some writing along the journey.
To my pleasant surprise…
After putting on my sunglasses, I lifted the armrest to place my sunglass case in there and noticed a power receptor in there along with an Aux audio plug. Since we both were unaware of that, I jumped out and grabbed an Aux cable from my Jeep so we could listen to an Audiobook on the 50 minute ride.
You see, her lease was up this month so she wanted a similar replacement and leased this new vehicle, 2010 Honda Accord, without even a test drive.
Back to the topic of portable productivity…
1) Automobile University
When I 1st started listening to self improvement programs from Tony Robbins, Brian Tracy, and more I heard Zig Ziglar describe what he called Automobile University. What that means is utilizing your driving time to listen to audio programs that will help you improve your personal and business results.
Back then, in the early ’90’s, I had to bring my audiotapes or CD’s with me that I wanted to listen to AND be sure the vehicle I was in had the proper player for that media.
Today, I carry my Automobile University along with me everywhere I go inside my phone. My iPhone has 10’s of hours worth of audios and videos on it that are at the ready for me whenever I have any down time and it can play it without needing any additional equipment (Aux cables are nice but not necessary).
How does your Automobile University library look? Do you have audios and audiobooks at the ready, waiting to assist you during your driving time, or any other down time?
Those hours and lessons add up quickly. Don’t believe me? How many songs do you think you could sing along with right now just by hearing it? Aha! My bet it’s in the hundreds if not thousands, and that is all just by repetition and listening to the radio during your drive time.
Imagine if you were to repeatedly listen to your mentors sharing insights & strategies that will dramatically increase your results. You’d now have life changing information engrained into your mind just as easily as you did with those 1000’s of song lyrics.
Currently, Christina and I are listening to the audio book of one of our favorite books, Money & The Law of Attraction by Esther & Jerry Hicks. And we’ve listened to it time and time again while flying and traveling throughout the country & world.
2) Portable Office (iPad and keyboard)
For the past 20 minutes I’ve been not only listening to the audio book on this small road trip, but I’ve also been able to draft this blog post. Granted, I would not do this personally on trips less than 20 minutes, but for road trips that will be 45+ minutes (when you don’t have to drive) could be ideal moments to draft a quick blog post, idea, or brainstorm.
Obviously, it totally applies to anytime I will be flying and spending time in an airport.
A good friend of mine asked me last night, “Tom, I saw you with your iPad and keyboard. Isn’t it really the same as bringing your laptop?”
“Absolutely NOT!” was my reply. I’ll take a picture of this portable workspace to demonstrate that is a much smaller foot print, weight, and hassle (posted it above). I don’t need any power cords, or have a fear that I’d better hurry before my battery dies. There’s no power up or power down time and so much more.
Ease! Is the best one word summary of how I can describe it. There is zero struggle, worry or hassle. It’s pure simplicity.
Ok! Now it’s time for me to sign off and share in some great conversation with my super awesome girlfriend (who also puts up with my “weirdness” of wanting to draft a blog post on a short drive). I love you sweetie! 🙂
Make Today Great!
Tom
PS – Posting this on WiFi at my girlfriends house while watching Sherlock Holmes with her parents (on the AppleTV she got them for Christmas). Was going to wait until I got home to post it but Ray Edwards reply tweet to me inspired me to post it right away. Thanks Ray. 🙂
