Most authorities agree that the Chicago Loop is one of the best locations around for businesses. It has tons of business-district amenities that you won’t find in any other neighborhood. It’s centrally located and easy to reach by public transit from all areas of Chicago. Employees and visitors can easily reach your downtown office by car, train, bus, or bicycle.
The Loop also offers a lot of culture, with landmarks and major events, and the safe, professional environment that can bring visitors to your business with ease. What’s more, there’s no need to be nervous about the commute – there are lots of ways to make your time more pleasant and more productive. Here are few tips to help you enjoy your daily commute to work in the Loop:
Leave early
One of the most stressful things about commuting can be watching the minutes pass if you are stuck in traffic and already late. Do yourself a favor and leave early, allowing plenty of time to get to work. If you have a few moments to spare, you’ll even have time to grab a cup of coffee.
Use public transit instead of driving
Commuting by car is often stressful, and occasionally dangerous. Public transit, however, offers you the opportunity to read, listen to music, chat with a friend, use podcasts to learn a new language, or enjoy a snack on your way to work every morning. What would you do with that extra time if you didn’t have to drive? Using CTA or Metra, you can reclaim your commuting hours. Public transit can also save you a lot of money, especially once you consider the costs of gas, parking, insurance, and wear and tear from stop and go traffic. With frequent express trains running to and from the Loop, you may also find that using public transit shortens your trip, letting you get home even faster.
Accept the inevitable
Sometimes, even with the best planning, a traffic jam or transit delay can pop up and throw off your schedule for the day. Unfortunately, these sorts of issues can arise no matter where you work and, though we all know how frustrating the sudden change can be, your mindset can make all the difference. It’s tempting to just keep fuming about being caught in traffic, but you’ll be much happier if you simply accept that the situation cannot be controlled and try not to think of work.
Get organized
Good organization is essential to most jobs, but it can also make your commute a breeze. Know the bus or train schedule, and be sure any documents or materials you need are ready before you leave the house. Your commute will become far more stressful if you have to return home to grab forgotten files or miss your train because you didn’t learn the schedule.
Use time to relax
A relaxing summer vacation isn’t always at your fingertips to give yourself a recharge; try using your commute time to relieve stress. Treat yourself to some coffee or a visit to a local restaurant or shop if you arrive early. Try and explore the neighborhood a bit by taking a different walk to or from the office each day, or getting off the bus a stop or two early and walking the rest of the way. Get to know the Loop and visit the lake more often, or take advantage of the great location to enjoy downtown festivals and events, such as the ice skating at Millennium Park in the winter. If you bike to and from the Loop, you can even burn enough calories to forget about visiting the gym later.
Keep a healthy work/life balance
Try to enjoy the Loop outside of work hours, and be sure you’re getting enough recreational time, despite the busy atmosphere. Visit the world-class museums and landmarks downtown, or see a show. Invite friends to join you for a drink after work, and have your family meet you for a fun evening on the town to enjoy a great meal out or a walk on the shore.
Be polite
It can be easy to start ignoring the world around you when faced with long work hours and frequent crowds, but remember that everyone around you is having a similar experience. Be friendly and polite to strangers, and your commute will become instantly more pleasant. You may even make a few new friends on the train, or brighten someone’s day by holding a door open or letting them take that parking spot instead.
Once you become more accustomed to the commute, you will see that it’s nothing to be anxious about or to dread. You might even find ways to enjoy the free time and the chance to see the city. You and your clients will soon agree that the great location is worth the commute.
Image credit: John Walker