Telecommuting can be a lonely pursuit.
You may only have an occasional ping from a colleague for the slightest bit of social interaction during your work day.
Maybe the boss will check in on your progress and ask how you’re doing.
Or Mom will call.
We may sometimes need to re-engage with other humans, even if it’s just surrounding ourselves with the noises of activity.
A change of space can give your brain a kickstart and stimulate bursts of creativity. If you’re like me, noise and hubbub can help you focus, forcing you to drown out the white noise and concentrate on the task at hand.
But where do you go when you work from home?
It might be a good idea to head into the office, if it’s nearby, and spend some time bouncing ideas and strategies off your teammates face-to-face.
Where else can I go?
The top tip is look for places that offer Wi-Fi connectivity. But you knew that already.
The Coffee Shop
The cling and clang of the local java stop gets you surrounded by activity, the kind that can spark an idea. It also opens you up to the opportunity for human interaction, but make sure you aren’t interrupting anyone else’s workday.
The Food Court
The food court follows the same philosophy as the coffee shop, but you may find more space and less pressure to close up shop during the busy times.
The Public Library
This is a great place to spend a day if you’re looking for a change of environment but not the activity you’ll find in other public spaces. It’s quiet and you get the bonus of being surrounded by information and resources. Plus, if you want to take a break, you can always find a good novel to escape in.
Cowork Locations
Cowork spaces that allow you to rent desks, cubicles and meeting space can foster collaboration and communication, bringing likeminded people together in one area. They’re great for entrepreneurs and freelancers to set up a base for a weekly, monthly or annual fee.
DeskMag’s third Global Coworking Survey showed 71 per cent of participants reported a boost in creativity since joining a coworking space, while 62 per cent said their standard of work improved.
Just remember
Coffee shops and public spaces can be a great place for meetings and getting to know clients or teammates but, unless you’re renting private space in a cowork location, others can tune into and overhear your conversation.
You should also be space aware and be willing to give up your chair and table when the rush hours start. Don’t become a barnacle on the bottom of the boat!
The best place
No matter what, my home office can’t be beat. It’s the best place for privacy on conference calls and webinars, and the dog stays happy.
If a change of space is needed, there’s always the patio.
Just like today.
