Tips for Working in a Public Space
When people picture working from home, they picture sitting on their couch, laptop on their lap, with their coziest blanket. That’s great sometimes, but personally, my favorite aspect of remote work is having the freedom to work wherever I want to. I often put that freedom to use by working at coffee shops, lunch spots, and other public areas. If you’re new to the idea of public workspaces, here are a few tips to make your first experience a good one.
Public Spaces Tips
Scope Out Top Spots
A great remote working location should have a few essentials: reliable wi-fi, outlets, and restrooms, namely. You’ll eventually learn which spots are your favorites, but it’s a good idea to scope out the coffee shops and other working locations in your area to see which ones have what you need.
Bring Items for Comfort and Courtesy
You obviously need to bring your laptop and any papers or other items you need to do your job. But I also recommend bringing:
Headphones in case you need to get on a video call or watch a video
Something warm because coffee shops are often chilly
Chargers for your laptop, phone, and any other devices
Use the Restroom First
There’s a special frustration that comes from being all set up and settled in at a public work spot and then having to go to the restroom. You don’t want to leave your laptop unattended but it’s also a pain to pack up everything, haul it to the bathroom, and set it up again afterward. Ideally, use the bathroom at home before you go, or use it at the coffee shop before you get everything set up.
Be Aware of the Crowds
I’ll often go to a lunch restaurant for a working lunch and then stay at the table to keep working for a while after I’ve eaten. You don’t want to overstay your welcome, though. Keep an eye on how busy the place is getting. If, for example, you’ve finished eating and you notice that the restaurant is getting low on tables for people who are coming to eat lunch, it’s polite to head out and work somewhere else. The restaurant is a place of business, first and foremost, and you don’t want to be an annoyance to the staff by taking up tables they need.
Consider Joining a Coworking Group
Working at a public place takes some getting used to, and it can feel intimidating or awkward at first. It could help to dip your toe in the water with a group of other remote workers. Ladies Work Remote is a perfect way to give it a try: join us for a coworking meetup at a local coffee shop, coworking space, library, or other spot and we’ll show you how it’s done!
With all these tips in mind, remember that everyone enjoys a different work environment. It’s just a matter of trying some of your local joints and seeing which ones make you feel productive and positive. Happy exploring!