Remote work is now common. Millions of white-collar workers regularly engage in remote work, whether on a full-time or part-time basis. Remote work is also often referred to as ‘work from home’ — but taking this term literally would be a mistake. In fact, while working from home is just fine, it’s a great idea to try working from some other locations at times. If you are a remote worker, here are the three reasons to consider getting your work done outside your home sometimes.
A Break From Routine
Routines are inevitable in life. Good routines are essential to a productive life. Still, routines can become stifling if they are never broken with at all. You will probably become bored and dissatisfied if you are in the same physical space day after day. If you never shake things up, you are liable to get into a mental rut. Working from a different location can renew motivation and encourage fresh, creative, outside-the-box thinking.
The Chance To Get Out of the House
It isn’t good for mental health to be home all the time. If you live by yourself, a serious sense of isolation and loneliness can develop if you are in the same physical space 24/7. On the other hand, if you do live with other people, being around each other all day, every day is almost certain to exacerbate interpersonal tensions. Leaving your living space also means new sights and sounds for your mind to engage with, which is good for mental wellness.
Improved Productivity
Working from home has many advantages, but discipline and productivity can be a struggle. The problem is that at home distractions abound. Resisting the temptation to watch Netflix, browse social media, or even just get some household chores done is often hard. Even if you overcome these temptations, the discipline required to stay on track can be draining. Working away from home can be a shortcut past these challenges, helping you zero in on your projects.
But where should you go if you decide to work remotely outside of your living space for a while? There are a few good options to consider.
Coffee Shops
Coffee shops are often filled with people working away on their laptops for good reason. A coffee shop is a great environment to get some work done. The social atmosphere of a coffee shop can relieve those feelings of isolation and boredom that can be a problem when working from home. A hot or iced coffee brings a little enjoyment to the day while providing a caffeine boost that sharpens concentration. Since coffee shops are often filled with people chatting, a coffee shop is even a place in which participating in remote meetings is perfectly acceptable.
Libraries
Libraries offer a completely free, public place in which to work for a few hours — or even all day long. Libraries are quiet places conducive to deep focus. Many library buildings are beautiful architectural spaces as well, which makes them pleasant places in which to spend time working. In a library, you are surrounded by knowledge and learning in the concrete form of books. A sense of this fact can help inspire focus.
Coworking Spaces
In recent years coworking spaces have become popular, allowing remote workers to work in an environment that mimics the professional, collaborative atmosphere of the office. Coworking spaces are an especially good option for people who struggle with motivation or focus while working from home. Some people even work exclusively from coworking spaces. This strategy restores the natural sense of separation between job and life that can be lost when working from home. Coworking spaces can greatly improve a person’s work-life balance. However, it is worth noting that using a coworking space does cost a decent amount of money.
Remote work, at its best, is all about freedom. In some sense, it would be a shame to trade working each and every day from the office for the same routine, only at home. If you are working remotely, you should be sure to take advantage of the situation by venturing outside of your home during work hours at least some of the time. You’ll be glad you did.