Alright, do me a favor and think about where your favorite place is/was to study, do homework, projects for work, write emails, etc. Maybe it’s a local coffee shop or a generic Starbucks location. Potentially the cafeteria or dining area around your school or work place. The space in your home that you claimed as your “office” that really just houses things that have no place anywhere else. Maybe it’s on the couch in front of the TV or even the backyard. Regardless, everyone has their one place. The place where your mind works its fastest, strongest, and produces its best work.
For me, this place is in the air. For whatever reason, I have always been able to be my most productive self while flying on a plane. There’s something about the subtle notion that my time is limited while sitting in the slightly crushing and uncomfortable seat that snaps my attention and priorities into place. Having only the necessities in front of me and my phone on airplane mode completely changes my mindset in regards to getting what needs to be done, done. With this, fights are generally quiet and peaceful minus the occasional conversation or turbulence. If you actually think about it airplanes are the perfect place, at least in my mind, to get things done quickly, efficiently, and with minimal distractions. The free pretzels and soda are an obvious added bonus as well.
Growing up, I travelled frequently. My parents were obsessed with traveling and going around the world and for the most part, I was able to join on their many adventures across the globe. Because of this, I had to learn how to keep myself occupied for long stretches of time in the sky. When I began getting older and in turn, obtaining much more homework, I realized quickly that my favorite place of study is actually during our flights together. My dad always did work while we were flying, having his laptop out with papers neatly in the seat-back pocket for easy access, so I always watched him while he would accomplish so much in short periods of time. Along with this, my mom was a flight attendant for many years, which helped me get my bearings on flying from a young age.
As a college student, I still travel relatively often. Despite being a full time student on a college campus in Colorado, I find myself on a flight going somewhere just about every month. For example, during the winter, my dad spends a lot of time in San Diego, CA, so I go there for a few days to hang out. On the opposite side of the US, my mom lives in New Orleans, LA , a place where I commonly find myself. As I write this, I am actually sitting in New Orleans! Because of my semi-often travel patterns, I have found that my favorite place to do my work is in the sky.
I feel productive on flights mostly because I know there is not much else to do but sleep. Although there are times when a nap is necessary, for the most part, I work to lighten my work load while I have a few hours in the air. In my own mind, it makes a great deal of sense only because flight time is like an unspoken timer to myself where I sit down and work for the duration of the trip and then I have a large break when I land and proceed to get to where I am going. I feel motivated to work because of the fantastic surroundings, peace and quiet and free snacks. I mean, who doesn’t love that, right? When my flight is over and I am walking off the plane, I can’t help but feel a huge sense of accomplishment knowing that I just made my work load lighter and life a little sweeter for myself.
Overall, if this isn’t something that you have personally given a shot, whether as a student, teacher, employer, or employee, I would highly recommend it. Next time you fly through the open sky, remember the major opportunity you have to make your own life a little sweeter by working with little to no interruption, even if it’s just for a couple of hours. Make the most out of each situation and give yourself that satisfactory you deserve! As always, you’re amazing, capable, and completely unique. You got this!
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