Blogging & Business

Working Not-From-Home

Working from home is a whole lot of fun. It is super convenient, you have most everything you need, and it doesn’t require getting dressed – there are so many days that a t-shirt and running shorts are my work attire 😉 . While I love working from home, sometimes you just need to not-work-from home (aka: you get cabin fever!) Up until now I didn’t have the best laptop for travel/ working in other places and I am super partial to my desktop because it has a huge screen (it is like 24 inches) and my comfy chair. But recently we purchased a Surface Pro so that I can have a powerful computer on the go and it is so helpful to get switch things up.

Last week Bruce and I broke free from our home office and camped out at a coffee shop for the afternoon. We haven’t done that in awhile and we both knocked away quiet a few emails and things on our to-to list. It was a good change of scenery. I also made sure to throw in a couple of tubs of noosa in my bag for us to have an afternoon snack. I find that mid afternoon slump ALWAYS hits me hard and an afternoon snack helps re-energized and refocus! We love noosa in our house, it is a unique combination of sweet and tart taste plus a thick, velvety texture! It is also Colorado local with wholesome ingredients. I found it at our grocery store a couple years back with a sign that said “Colorado Proud” and I picked one up that day to try it. We’ve never bought any other yogurt since!

It was good for us to spend the afternoon working in a new location – switching things up helps your brain get out of the same rut and encourages new activity. Also, working out of a coffee shop isn’t only for those of us who work from home. Switching things up is important when you are at an office too. If you can get away for an afternoon to work in a new location, here are some tips for your time working not-from-home:

  1. Pick a Location you Know: I’m all about finding new coffee shops and trying new places but this is not the time for that. Meet a friend for coffee in a new place to scope it out before deciding to work there. When you are going out for the morning/afternoon/day you want to make sure you know the space will be a good working environment.
  2. Find Outlets: I always gravitate toward a place with an outlet just in case. It is best to make sure your lap top is charged before you go out but being near an outlet is always a good idea.
  3. Bring Snacks: Like I mentioned above, make sure you bring a snack like noosa! You don’t realize how much you snack on food from your snack drawer or walk down to your kitchen. You don’t want to leave and hour into working because you got too hungry. Plan to camp out for awhile to really be productive.
  4. Pack What you Need: Make sure you know yourself in coffee shop environments. I find the background noise of people and the music playing in the shop comforting. It helps me get my work done. Bruce however always brings headphones to listen to his own music to focus better. If you need headphones, make sure they are packed. Also bring your planner (or a notepad) and some pens so you can write things down while you are out. Fight the urge to over-pack as well. You don’t want to break your back or bring too much stuff that you are overwhelmed. Know the three things you are planning on working on and make sure you have what you need for that!
  5. Buy Something: I feel like this should already be expected, but I am still throwing it out there. If you are going to a coffee shop or restaurant and working at a table you need to buy something while you are there. Grab a coffee or an iced tea to sip while you work. It is the respectful thing to do – you are taking up a table and using their internet.

Getting out of the office and into a coffee shop can really be just what you need to get focused and get out of your working rut. What are some of your favorite places to work?

I was selected for this opportunity as a member of CLEVER and the content and opinions expressed here are all my own.

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8 years ago

Waaaait you’re a blogger and don’t have all Mac stuff 😉 And that is how I feel about being a mom…if we’re not out (aka getting that change of scenery!) by 10am I start to get some real cabin fever!!

Reply to  Julie Hood
7 years ago

Girl! I have zero mac stuff. hahaha! I could go on a little rant but I don’t think the quality matches the price when there are other really great options out there 😉

And yes! On days that I watch my niece we always have a plan to get out of the house!

Reply to  Elizabeth Mayberry
7 years ago

Hahaha you ALSO don’t have coffee listed in your bio so clearly you’re a real blogging rebel!! ????

And that is SO sweet you have your niece at some pt during the week! I hope she treasures those days together! ☺☺

Reply to  Julie Hood
7 years ago

hahah! I know. Who am I??! I think I am finding value in being my own person in this blog world!!

Also, yes!I have her one full day a week and I love it so much!

Reply to  Elizabeth Mayberry
7 years ago

Haha well, way to make it deep 😉 but really, keep it up! You’re an inspiration to us all 🙂

8 years ago

I have an office in my home, but I really love going to the library sometimes when I feel like I’ve been really distracted. I feel like it is really helpful. I’ve never gone anywhere else in public to blog though.

Reply to  Autumn @ Stay gold Autumn
7 years ago

Oh! The library is a fun idea!

8 years ago

Oh goodness, I definitely know the feeling of needing to get out of the house… Not just as a blogger but as a mom too!!!

Reply to  Susannah
7 years ago

YES! hahah. for real! I think especially as a mom!

8 years ago

I work from coffee shops at least once or twice every single week. It totally helps to have a change of scenery.

Reply to  Jenny
7 years ago

It really does!

8 years ago

I’ve been looking for ways to get more inspiration when I work from home. Thank you!!

Reply to  Marissa
7 years ago

Yes! Switching things up can help a lot!