WHEN it comes to time spent on the train – are you a productive powerhouse or a master of me-time?
This interactive quiz helps uncover your downtime persona – and shows you how to turn everyday moments, like train journeys, into opportunities for productivity.
AlamyHolidays and weekends often become a time to manage tasks instead of switching off, a survey revealed[/caption]
The new interactive quiz can help you maximise your train journeys
It was created as research revealed how existing rail passengers use their time, with almost a quarter using their journey time productively (23 per cent).
Throughout the quiz you’ll be presented with a series of scenario-based questions and depending on your answers, you’ll be matched with a persona.
Find out if you are a task completing ‘Track Star’, or a ‘Casual Commuter’ who prioritises comfort and convenience.
The quiz comes after a study of 2,000 workers, commissioned by National Rail on behalf of the rail industry, found the typical employee only uses 42 per cent of their annual leave to go on holiday.
Instead, 11 days of it each year are used to work through their to-do list, taking time off to, ironically, book trips away (30 per cent), catching up on emails and text messages (35 per cent) and reviewing and paying bills (23 per cent).
And 40 per cent rarely take a break when off work, with such days leaving 36 per cent feeling productive, while 25 per cent get annoyed at having to use their annual leave for such jobs.
A quarter (26 per cent) don’t use their spare time wisely and 20 per cent claimed they are a serial procrastinator. National Rail teamed up with productivity expert Clare Evans to suggest tasks tailored for each outcome in the quiz, such as organising an inbox or reviewing the week.
She said: “We all have tasks we put off during everyday life, which means our to-do list grows and so does the mental clutter.
“Train journeys can be the perfect time to get through many of those tasks, offering unique pockets of time with fewer life distractions.
“But productivity isn’t just about to-do lists, it’s also about the calm and control that comes from knowing your priorities are taken care of.
“Planning ahead is key, take five minutes of your journey to jot down your to-do list; set a short time limit – even just ten or fifteen minutes – to complete one task.
“Add it to your phone or calendar like a meeting, so it’s booked in for your journey and you’re committed.”
Of those polled, 89 per cent are train travellers and of the fifth (20 per cent) who use their journeys to their advantage to get stuff done, 52 per cent of them feel proud they’ve used their time efficiently.
A further 28 per cent said productive trips mean they have more time and space for creativity while 27 per cent free up time to spend with family and friends when they reach their destination.
Among the tasks travellers tick off on their journeys include writing shopping lists (32 per cent), sorting through photos on their phone (29 per cent) and adding upcoming events to their calendars (27 per cent).
As a result of getting stuff done on their travels, people felt less stressed (40 per cent), experienced an improvement in their mood (40 per cent) and felt more in control of their upcoming days (41 per cent).
A third of rail users (32 per cent) polled via OnePoll said the views out of train windows help clear their head for concentration and the ideal journey time to tick things off would be just over an hour – 64 minutes.
Jacqueline Starr, executive chair and CEO at Rail Delivery Group, said: “It’s clear from our research that many people feel overwhelmed by the tasks that can pile up outside of work, with precious annual leave and weekends often spent managing commitments rather than truly switching off.
“We want to show travellers that on the train you can reclaim your time.
“Whether it’s writing a shopping list, booking an appointment, or simply getting organised, the study shows that time well spent on the train can help people feel more in control, less stressed, and ready to focus on what matters most, beyond the to-do list.”
Productivity Expert, Clare Evans added: “As the study shows, using your train travel time productivity can positively impact your well-being, and these small steps can help you feel less stressed, more focused, balanced and connected to what matters most to you.”
AlamyPeople who manage their journey time find they feel less stressed[/caption]
GettyUsing travel time for tasks can free up time for family and friends[/caption] Published: [#item_custom_pubDate]
