4 Tips For Being Productive When You’re Not In An Office
You can get work done anywhere
Whether you step out of your office to work on lunch break or call a coffee shop your full-time work spot, it's good to know how to be productive no matter where you are.
It's as simple as this: Limit distractions and boost productivity
Easier said than done, right?
Not if you're equipped and prepared to limit those distractions!
Here are some common distractions at your office-away-from-the-office and how you can handle them to maximize your work time.
Distraction #1: You need a charger and hand sanitizer, so you shuffle around and realize you don't have either one with you.
Solution: Prepare a bag with everything you need in it for a day's work.
Distraction #2: You can't decide where you want to sit, so you stand around for a few minutes, wasting valuable time.
Solution: Find your thinking spot. Look for a place where you can get to work with the least amount of distraction. (Don't spend too long doing this; you can always move if your first spot doesn't work out.) Find a spot and get started!
Distraction #3: Your friends are excited to text you, your boss starts blowing up your email with to-dos for next quarter, somebody keeps calling your phone like there's no tomorrow.
Solution: If you're focusing on work that doesn't require immediate communication, put away your phone, turn off notifications for an hour or two, and start making progress. Get focused on the work you need to do, not the work you can technically do.
Distraction #4: Some dog is barking its head off, a kid is crying, some sales guy next to you is selling to his client on the phone (as well as the rest of the room), and all you can hear is a cacophony of those noises.
Solution: If you're having a hard time focusing, grab your headphones and listen to some background music. Find ambient music that isn't too distracting, unless you know you can crank out some awesome work with regular tunes playing. I have discovered when I find the right song or medley of melodies, my mind is able to drift easily from listening to working.
I have spent years working out-and-about in coffee shops, parks, and various public places. These tips are spot-on! Fantastic advice. Being out can be a boon for productivity and creativity, particularly when armed with great ideas like these.
Woohoo! I’m glad to hear you found my tips helpful, Jay. A little bit of planning and preparation goes a long way to create a great work experience. 🙂