Sometimes your usual office space IS NOT the best place to get work done. In my early days as an entrepreneur, I remember working hard to make sure that my home office was setup brilliantly. Everything I needed within easy reach and ready to go.
And then came those days when I was so bored of being in the same place working that I simply could not focus on anything. That’s when I began brainstorming a list of all the places that I could go to work that would give me a different experience and renewed focus.
When to go elsewhere
While this “geographic cure” is really great for entrepreneurs or folks working from home, I often encourage my corporate executive clients not to underestimate the power of a change of venue in their day as well. Nothing like getting away from your co-workers for a few hours to help you focus on an important piece of thinking or creative work.
I have a theory that there are five types of time: Creative time, reflective time, restorative time, connecting time, and “Get-it-Done” time… which I will be writing more about in future blog posts.
This kind of venue change can be particularly helpful if what you need is creative time for writing, preparing a report, brainstorming ideas, thinking expansively and out of/beyond your usual box.
It’s also great for reflective time: long-term planning, strategic planning retreats, weekly task management reviews, writing performance reviews, or journaling.
So, to help out my fellow, occasionally bored high-performers, here’s what I’ve come up with thus far…
Top 10 Alternative Workspaces
(So tempting to do this like a Letterman countdown… but, honestly there’s no order here.)
1. The Library
Pros: Free, Quiet, free wifi, power sources, helpful research librarians… for a while I even drove around to all the different libraries near me to see if I could find favorite places/views in each. We have some really beautiful libraries around the North Shore of Boston.Cons: I don’t love the smell of old books (my husband shutters when I admit that because he loves it.); Sometime’s the odors from the different perfumes of people who come in to use the computers are wearing can be overwhelming. They frown on bringing in any food or liquids, so no snacking.
2. Local Coffee/Tea Shops
Pros: Plenty of snacks and drinks, usually free wifi, Available outlets to plug-in, great people watching when you need a momentary break. While I love a good Starbucks or Panera, I spent a while researching and even writing reviews of a bunch of my local independent coffeeshops. I even toyed with starting a blog/website called “The Working Cafe” where fellow location-independent workers could add reviews of their favorite places and find new ones they hadn’t tried yet. *sigh*… the road not taken.Cons: You do need to buy some food to justify using their table for any length of time. Some cafes are more or less laptop friendly, so being considerate is important. Sometimes your favorite place doesn’t have any tables! Some places can get loud, so pack your headphones.
3. Local Park
Pros: Beautiful nature surroundings, usually quiet, with birds and dog walkers keeping you company. On a pleasant day when you need to get some writing or creative work done, a park is a wonderful option to soak in some Vitamin D and inspire creativity. Pack a picnic and a blanket. I’ve spent many hours doing creative or reflective work under a beautiful tree.Cons: Generally no wifi (unless you can tether to your phone); no power, weather dependent; bring your hat and sunscreen. Depending on the park/time of year you might also need bug spray.
4. Your Car
Pros: Drive your car to a beautiful overlook and you might be surprised how much work you can get done. This has occasionally been my solution when the weather wasn’t cooperating with my park plan above. The sound of rain falling on the car roof can be its own beautiful white noise machine.Cons: Generally no wifi (without tethering); Power only if you have a car adapter for your computer (huh, might need to see if I could get one of those!) It can be somewhat cramped at times (depending on your car size). If it’s too hot or cold, then you might be leaving the car running for heat or AC which is less than “green.”
5. By the Water – Beach, Lake, or River
Pros: I LOVE the sound of water and find that it has a magically ability to sweep away stress and inspire options and creativity like nothing else. That’s one reason why we live 2 blocks from the ocean. Other pros are similar to the park above… I wrote a whole marketing plan on the beach one day, so grab your beach chair and get going!Cons: Sunburn, no wifi, no power, low tide smell.
6. Hotel Lobby
Pros: In fancy hotels there are constantly people coming and going, so rarely does anyone notice if you come in, grab a drink or snack at the bar and curl up in a corner with your laptop. You can enjoy their great architecture, free wifi, and people watching rather like a cafe, but often with more comfortable chairs.Cons: More respectful if you at least order a drink or snack from the bar/cafe onsite; sometimes you have to hunt for places to plug in for power. Can get very busy and bustling.
7. Hotel Room
Pros: Great place to get away for a really important piece of work! Rent a room for a couple days and give yourself the mental space to focus purely on the project at hand. You don’t need to go far away to give yourself the experience of a retreat. I’ve found great hotels and inns within an hour’s drive from my home that have been great for creative or reflective work. Plenty of power; and choose a place that includes free wifi!Cons: Can be a bit pricey, so probably not for everyday work. You may be just as isolated, but in a different place.
8. Local College Campus
Pros: Many campuses have created great spaces to study, and they are not averse to having members of the community come onsite to interact with students. It helps bring down the barrier between campus and community that are a problem for many institutions. Just don’t look like a psycho, or sketchy person and no one will blink if you find a corner of the college library or campus center to pull out your laptop. Generally, free wifi is available somewhere on campus. Usually, it’s just a quick walk to find snacks. Plenty of opportunity to soak in the vitality of the younger set and potentially get inspiration for your next big thing.Cons: Be respectful of campus policies, and certainly don’t go into the dorms! College students can get rowdy, so depending on the time of day this can be a less appealing option (i.e. after 4pm on Thursday/Friday or all day Saturday… maybe not)
9. Co-working spaces
Pros: Dedicated space outside your home to get stuff done; Can be like a private coffee shop that you purchase a monthly membership to use. There are an increasing number of such places popping up, aiming to meet the needs of folks who need an alternative workspace from their home or formal office. Plenty of power, free wifi, often snacks and coffee/tea are included in the membership price. Gives you a chance to network and get to know others who use the space.Cons: Can get just as monotonous as working from home or your office if you always go there. Some spaces have day passes if you want to come in occasionally. Can be a bit of an investment for the membership. Make sure there’s a parking solution or it’s really easy to get to from your home or office.
10. YMCA or Gym
Pros: The YMCAs close to me have a little cafe space with tables, chairs, and free wifi. Gives you a great way to get both work and a workout into your day. In fact, I came up with the name of my company “Chosen Course” while sitting at a YMCA cafe table after a workout. You might have never considered using your gym membership in this way, but it might be a great way to inspire you to use it more often too, by getting you in the door!Cons: Generally requires a membership to the facility. Depending on the facility, it may not be the most pleasant place to sit due to either architecture or a lingering locker room aroma. But, it’s worth investigating. May have to hunt for power outlets.
Next Steps
Hopefully, this list of ideas has sparked you with the desire to mix up your work days with some alternative work spaces.
Now, I’d love to hear from you… what’s your favorite “alternative” workspace? Please share it in the comments below, and you just might inspire all of us to try that one next!
Image: Stockfresh/Maridav
