Boost Productivity by Escaping the "Office"
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Remote work is here to stay, and it is projected that 25% of all professional jobs will be remote by the end of 2022.
Good news, right?
For some, this feels long overdue. Most people believe they are more productive and less inconvenienced when they aren't subject to the distractions of the conventional office. But after almost three years of widespread remote work, the home office has become vulnerable to the same staleness and productivity ruts of a traditional office environment.
If the novelty of working from home has worn off and you're not feeling as productive as you had hoped, perhaps it's time to incorporate a change of pace into your weekly routine.
So how does escaping the home office boost productivity?
Our brains crave a change in scenery.
Our brains process tasks differently when confronted with new stimuli, leading to new and creative ways to accomplish tasks. Environmental changes, like a different chair or table, subconsciously trigger a response in our brain that keeps us alert. When you are in a novel setting, your brain releases dopamine, which increases happiness and motivation. So if you’re feeling antsy or distracted and unable to focus, it’s possible all you need to do is change your environment.
Ambient noise stimulates creative thinking and problem-solving.
A 2012 study exploring the effects of ambient noise on creative thinking teaches us what writers, composers, and artists throughout centuries already knew: Ambient stimuli, such as the low-to-moderate hum of a coffee shop, boost your abstract thinking ability. This phenomenon is called "the coffee shop effect." That, coupled with ample visual stimulation of a coffee shop, is the perfect recipe for creative output.
A new environment doesn't need anything from you.
A coffee shop, co-working space, or library doesn't require your attention while you work. There isn't a pile of laundry calling your name. While looking out the window, you won't feel the nagging disappointment of not getting the yard work done last weekend. A trip to the counter for a cup of joe doesn't trigger a reminder that you still need to call the plumber or do those dishes. In a neutral environment, you are free to focus on the task at hand.
We need the influence of other people.
Studies have shown that simply being around other people keeps us engaged and focused on our work.
We miss out on this positive impact when we isolate in a home office. Getting out of the house also means getting dressed and interacting with the world, increasing our confidence and productivity.
How to implement an escape into your weekly routine:
Find a coffee shop, library, or co-working space in your area that is friendly to remote workers.
Change it up! Choose a different location each time.
Get dressed to impress!
Bring earbuds or headphones to keep the noise level ambient.
To keep the experience fresh, only stay for one 2-3 hour focus block each visit.
Work on only one high-priority project at a time.
Capitalize on "the coffee-shop effect" by working on high-intensity, creative endeavors, such as strategic planning, writing, or design work.
Use the Pomodoro Technique to keep you focused and energized.
Reminder:
Be a gracious patron. If you choose to work in a coffee shop, keep your stay limited to a reasonable time and make a beverage or food purchase before you get to work.
Aimee Olson of Life Done Simply is a Productivity and Organizing Coach and is a member of the National Association of Productivity & Organizing Professionals (NAPO). She specializes in Holistic Organizing and Minimalism, Residential Organizing, Workplace Productivity, and Brain-Based Conditions.
