Every day, millions of people around the world face long commutes to work. In the United States alone, approximately 25 million workers spend more than 90 minutes each day getting to and from their jobs. And yet few people enjoy their commutes. This distaste for commuting has serious implications for well-being. Studies have found that workers with lengthy commutes feel more anxious and less happy and satisfied with life than those with shorter ones and are more likely to get divorced. They also are less likely to find their daily activities worthwhile, are more exhausted and less productive at work, and have lower job satisfaction. But it doesn't have to be this way. Research, including studies that the authors conducted, suggests that small tweaks to the way you conduct your commute can improve the experience, leaving you both happier and more productive. They offer five strategies that commuters can try: Use the time to shift your mindset; prepare to be productive; find your "pocket of freedom"; share the spirit; and reduce your commute.

When companies face financial shortfalls and market pressures-as virtually all of them have over the past two years-they typically slash innovation cycles, cut personnel, and raise performance goals. They often succeed brilliantly at doing more with less-for a time. But when employees are pushed to work at a fevered pitch every day, month after month, their energy fails. Error rates rise, exhaustion and resignation blanket the company, the best employees defect, and the company's performance suffers. To escape from this acceleration trap, declare an end to the current high-energy phase and have employees abandon less important tasks. And to avoid the trap in the future, institute stop-the-action initiatives, limit the company's goals, and require that project-management systems put the kibosh on mediocre ideas. Equally important is to change the company's accelerated culture: Focus on just one thing for a specified period of time, institute time-outs to give employees time for rejuvenation, and mandate periods of calm between crises.