Sara Blakely Mindset Commute

Adopt the deliberate drive technique used in Sara Blakely's morning routine to process ideas and clear mental clutter before starting work.

4 time blocks, 45 minutes in total.

Time blocks

  1. Morning Exit & Car Prep: 5 min
    Step into the car and turn off phone notifications before starting
  2. Free Association Driving: 20 min
    Drive without GPS destination, letting thoughts wander naturally
  3. Audio Immersion & Voice Notes: 15 min
    Listen to educational audio or record spontaneous ideas
  4. Parking Lot Mindset Pause: 5 min
    Park the vehicle and sit in silence to set intentions for the day

About this routine

Spanx founder Sara Blakely famously lives five minutes from her office, yet spends time driving around Atlanta every morning. This intentional fake commute formed a crucial part of Sara Blakely's morning routine, giving her dedicated time to think, process, and brainstorm before facing corporate demands.

The practice translates well for anyone seeking quiet reflection between home life and work responsibilities. By turning a routine drive into a dedicated mental buffer, you create room for creative ideas without adding extra hours to your workday.

During this time block, distraction remains minimal. You can run through your visual schedule or capture audio notes while cruising familiar roads, transforming wasted transit time into clear head space.

Why this routine works

  • Creates a clear buffer between home responsibilities and work tasks
  • Provides dedicated time for unstructured creative thinking
  • Allows quiet audio learning and idea recording without distraction

FAQ

What is Sara Blakely's morning fake commute?

Sara Blakely drives for 45 minutes every morning around Atlanta, despite living five minutes from work, using the car as a quiet space to think and generate ideas.

Why does Sara Blakely do a fake commute?

She uses the drive to transition her mindset from home life to business demands, giving her brain unstructured time for problem solving.

How long does Sara Blakely's mindset commute take?

Her drive typically lasts 45 minutes each morning before she heads to work.