How To Win Rush Hour
THE MORNING COMMUTER
The lines on the traffic app’s map are blaring RED today. On this bitter cold, January morning in the Washington, DC area, the trip to downtown estimates a 56 minute drive on the Clara Barton Parkway along the Maryland side of the Potomac River. Or you could take a 58 minute ride via the George Washington Parkway which is on the opposite side of the river in Virginia.
The Clara Barton Pkwy & Maryland it will be!
Obstacle avoidance ✅
THE WHITEWATER SLALOM ATHLETE
In a small, bedroom community near the line separating Maryland and Washington, DC, your parked car cranks out maximum amount of heat. As you contemplate turning off the ignition, your brain is solely focused on the thin space that separates the warm car in which you sit and the 22 degree darkness on the other side of car door. Fully dressed in your paddling gear, you notice the clock reads 6:19am. You shut off the car engine and step outside.
You are greeted by a blast of cold air and face the task of untying the kevlar ropes, now frozen to the roof racks, that secure your racing canoe to the top of the car. You wrap your hands around the biggest part of the knot and blow warm air into your hands to thaw the ropes.
Extreme discomfort ✅
THE MORNING COMMUTER
It’s not even 6:30am and the traffic noise on the Clara Barton Parkway is pitched. Everyone seems to be using the same traffic app as you. Just past the Brookmont Dam, the two lanes of the parkway expand into four. Yes — an opportunity to pass a few cars!
Fractionally more efficient ✅
THE WHITEWATER SLALOM ATHLETE
The thick layer of frost on the bottom of the canoe adds extra weight on your shoulder as you carry your boat down the steep hill that leads out of the neighborhood and towards the Potomac River.
The steady rumble of non-stop inbound DC traffic grows louder as you near the bottom of the hill. Perhaps the most difficult challenge of the morning, and certainly the most dangerous, is to run with boat on shoulder across the 4 lanes of the morning rush hour traffic on the Clara Barton Parkway that separate you from the river.
The walk you do every day regardless of the weather ✅
THE MORNING COMMUTER
A quick punch of the gas pedal to slip around the normal speed of traffic.
Wait, what is that?? A sudden and synchronized flash of brake lights.
Was that a kayaker running across the parkway? It’s freezing out here!
I’m glad I’m not him ✅
THE WHITEWATER SLALOM ATHLETE
The traffic on this section of the Clara Barton, at this time of morning, has been designated as “one-way-only” towards DC. Your real-life game of “Frogger” starts now. Look for the gaps between the cars and be ready to go.
Shift the canoe on your shoulder to be parallel to the oncoming traffic — this increases your view and allows you to inch closer to the road.
You see the gap. “Go!”
The feeling of small, gravely stones underneath your frozen feet let you know that you safely reached the other side.
As your heart rate settles back to normal, the continuous sound of inbound cars dissipates but never completely disappears.
Not thinking about the weather any longer ✅
THE MORNING COMMUTER
The traffic app has let you down again. Three traffic lights between Chain Bridge and Fletcher’s Boathouse now? Ughh.
Look for more short cuts.
Take the George Washington Parkway tomorrow ✅
WHITEWATER SLALOM ATHLETE
You arrive at the side of the river. A few pairs of sandals on the ground indicate you are not the first paddler to arrive this morning. You smile, because on this frigid cold morning where it’s uncomfortable to be outside, let alone paddle on the river, you have checked the most important box of all.
You are here now ✅
Depending on the day, the two characters in this story can be the same individual.
We live in a world of apps and hacks to shortcut the rush hours of our lives.
A commuter who decides to go against the expected shortcuts, and instead take the longer, more comfortable route to work? They become a vessel for the flow of creative thoughts needed to unsnarl or innovate other parts of their life.
A kayaker who who goes against the the urge to avoid the icy and uncomfortable environment of winter morning workouts? They become a vessel for the flow of creative thoughts needed to unsnarl or innovate other parts of their life.
So which is the perfect process? It can be both. It can be neither. It’s about recognizing a process that most others choose not to implement in their day.
Whichever process, you’ll recognize that you’re on to something if it makes others say “What is that?”
And you can be confident that you are proceeding on the most effective path of growth and evolution.
With gratitude,
-Joe
I transfer my experience and strategies learned as an Olympic Champion, Coach, and CEO to move you towards your “Best Moments” at work and in life. My platforms include performance coaching, professional speaking, videos, and my weekly newsletter, “Sunday Morning Joe.”
