How to Transform the Way You Work on the Go (In Minutes)

Okay, let’s talk about work actually gets done on the go.

There are a few things I do that make it possible to stay productive without being glued to a desk all day. This lets me move my body, get outside, and still hit my deadlines — whether I’m commuting, waiting to pick up my son, or just walking around the block, coffee in hand and phone in my pocket.

Quick caveat: I don’t fill every minute with doing. Sometimes “doing” means doing nothing — relaxing, meditating, or letting my mind wander. But when it’s time to get things done, here’s how I make it happen.

Voice Dictation Is My Secret Weapon

I use voice dictation for almost everything — brainstorming ideas, drafting Google Docs, sending Slack messages, even scripting videos.

In the car, I use VoicePal (or Otter), because it records and transcribes my thoughts while I talk to the dashboard. When I’m walking, I’ll record ideas and later run that transcript through ChatGPT or Claude to turn it into something usable — a document, script, or outline.

Voice dictation helps me clarify what I’m thinking while I’m on the move. And honestly, sometimes I’ll even work with ChatGPT while I’m walking. It feels conversational and keeps me in creative flow. I’ll get a first draft done that way, so by the time I sit at my desk, the hard part — starting — is already done.

It’s the core of my mobile productivity system — flexible, quick, and perfect for those moments when I’m thinking more clearly in motion than behind a screen.

Clearing Comments, Capturing Tasks

A lot of my on-the-go work happens during those in-between moments — walking, waiting in line, sitting in the pickup lane at school.

I’ll review and clear comments in Google Docs because collaboration is a big part of my work. If I can handle something quickly, I do it. If not, I’ll add it to my task list so I know what to handle later.

Same goes for Slack and email. I’ll get caught up on messages and dictate quick replies while I’m walking. If it’s something more complex that requires research or deeper thought, I’ll flag it for when I’m back at my desk.

It’s wild how much progress you can make in these micro-moments — the five-minute pockets of time most people overlook.

Research on the Move

Sometimes I’ll even research while I’m walking, especially if I’m leveraging AI. I can ask questions, save ideas, and keep moving.

Most of my work — videos, documents, brainstorming — follows the same rhythm:

brainstorm → capture → create.

Record something. Get it documented. Do something with it.

That could mean scripting a video, drafting a business doc, or outlining a new idea.

Working on the go fits perfectly into that process. It’s about using those small windows of time to move projects forward — even a little bit — so momentum never stalls.

That’s the key to staying productive while commuting, walking, or juggling life — you keep your brain active, even when your laptop’s closed.

The Tools I Lean On

Right now, I use Otter and VoicePal the most.

Otter is great for recording meetings and quick brainstorms. I’ll capture what I need, then delete recordings for confidentiality.

VoicePal, on the other hand, is built for exactly how I work. It automatically turns recordings into usable notes or outlines and offers a ghost writer feature — perfect for those “walk and talk” moments.

Desk Time vs. Net-Zero Time

I think of my day in two buckets:

Desk Time — the things that truly require me to be seated, focused, and typing.

Net-Zero Time — the in-between time I can use without adding more hours to my day.

Before I start, I’ll ask myself:

• What has to be done in front of the computer?
• What can be done with my voice or phone?
• What can I handle while walking, commuting, or waiting?

That little bit of planning means my desk time stays sacred and my on-the-go time stays productive — without stress.

Balance, Energy, and Grace

Sometimes, I just don’t want to work. And that’s okay.

If my energy’s low, I’ll listen to music, an audiobook, or just enjoy the quiet. I’ve learned that the only way to produce thoughtful, high-quality work is to balance it with real rest.

Each day, I set my core three for my day.

And yes — self-care is on the list.

Meditate. Daily recap. Go outside for a walk.

Those aren’t extras; they’re essentials. They keep me grounded and sharp.

After long meetings or deep work sessions, I’ll take 10 or 15 minutes to reset — walk around the block, stretch, meditate. Movement is my antidepressant.

That balance — between productivity and pause — is what keeps everything sustainable.

The Day That Proved This Works

One day I had to take my car to the shop, forgot my house keys, and ended up shuttling back and forth — 25 minutes each way — while juggling three tight deadlines.

Normally, that would’ve wrecked my day. But because I had my voice tools and system in place, I kept things moving. I dictated updates, captured notes, and met all three deadlines. I was done by 5 p.m. and still made it to all my son’s appointments.

That’s what I love about working this way — it doesn’t just help me produce more. It helps me do it without feeling like I’m working all the time.

Start Small

If this is new to you, start small.

Try dictating a note in the car after a meeting. Record a quick idea while walking around the block. Reply to one Slack message with your voice.

You’ll get more comfortable over time. People will just assume you’re on the phone anyway.

Start there. Then build from it.

Quick Wins to Try This Week

• Make two lists: Desk-Only and Net-Zero tasks.
• Pick one recurring task you can voice-dictate.
• Try a 10-minute walk-and-talk using Otter or VoicePal, or other transcript software.
• Feed that transcript into AI for your first draft.
• Edit later — not from scratch, just refine.

Before You Go

I don’t spend every moment doing — sometimes doing means pausing. But when I need to get work done and I’m not at my desk, this is how I make it happen.

Reflection:

What’s one thing you could start doing on the go this week — so your focus time stays deep and your days feel lighter?