Mixing up your working environment
Is it time to try a co-working space?
January can be a tricky month and this week we were once again hit with the headlines about the most depressing day of the year. Monday the 15th is apparently ‘Blue Monday’ - a term coined in 2005 by Sky Travel, which refers to what’s supposed to be the ‘saddest day of the year’. The theory is that multiple factors including the weather, debt, low motivation levels after the holidays, and failure to keep up with New Years resolutions combine to make us feel a little down.
Whether you believe this or not, we’ve all had times when we have found ourselves in a bit of a funk. Recently in our newsletter about Community Networking, we wrote about the impact a change in scenery can have on productivity levels.
As a bit of a follow up, this week we’re going to take a look at different types of co-working spaces, that might provide that change in scene. Hopefully this will provide some inspiration, boost your productivity, and help you overcome any January slump you may find yourself in.
1. Change it up in your own space
This one might seem obvious, but simply moving to a different room or area in your room, flat or house may boost your productivity. Obviously none of us live in a mansion with multiple spare rooms but just moving to the dining room table or the sofa for a bit can break up the routine.
Switching between spaces also forces you to get up and take a break, which we often forget to do when we’re seated in the same spot for hours on end. Changing your environment may also trigger the Novelty Effect, boosting your motivation levels (for a while) by introducing something new to your surroundings.
2. A cafe
Working in a cafe is the perfect excuse to treat yourself to your favourite drink or pastry, which could well be motivational in itself. The ambient noise, as well as being surrounded by others working or studying, can also improve performance. This option might require some patience, as it takes trial and error to find the perfect café that suits your needs. Make sure to always ask what the remote work policy is, as some places do not permit the use of laptops and tablets, or do not offer free Wi-Fi.
3. Book a hot desk
With more people than ever working from home since the pandemic, many companies, public workspaces and even bars and restaurants are offering daily rates for hot desks. For a small fee (prices vary) you can book a desk in a shared space for the day and some have other perks or facilities on site. My local venue, a cocktail bar and restaurant in Central London, offers a daily (£10), weekly (£25), or monthly (£50) Hotdesk Pass in return for a desk with plenty of plug sockets, free Wi-Fi, and bottomless coffee or tea. Additionally, they offer exclusive benefits and deals for those who join their members club.
4. Public libraries
If you prefer working in a quiet environment, your local library may be a great fit. Not only are you surrounded by many resources, public libraries have the added benefit that they’re free, making them accessible for all. Beware that libraries may become crowded, especially during peak times like student exam seasons, so securing a spot may not always be guaranteed!
5. Hotel lobbies
This option is especially great for freelancers on the go or your digital nomad. Hotel lobbies often offer plenty of couches, tables, large common areas, and event meeting rooms. While policies vary, some hotels will allow non-guests to utilise their workspace as well. Again, this option may take some trial and error. Make sure to do a quick Google search to find out which hotels in your area might be best suitable.
6. Virtual co-working
If physical relocation does not seem like an option, you could consider joining a virtual community instead. Personally, I have found being held accountable for certain tasks ensures that I can maintain focus and meet deadlines on time. Working with others, whether in person or online, is therefore a great way to stay concentrated. Focus sessions may also be a great way to kick-start your day. Our guests on the podcast episode on Time Management discussed several they have tried including Flown and Othership.
Let us know what you have found works for you. Are there any co-working spaces you have come across that we haven’t thought of?
What’s coming up
We have just had our planning meeting for the next year and you’ll be hopefully pleased to hear there will be three more series of the podcast in 2024. The FFJ Awards will also be coming back in the summer.
The next round of our work experience initiative will open on March 6th so watch out for more details about how to grab your space in the coming weeks. If any our our community would like to offer some remote work experience or mentoring, get in touch at freelancingforjournalists@gmail.com and we can send more details of how it works.
If you want to find out about any of the resources we have to offer, head over to our website at freelancingforjournalists.com
Triumph of the week
Finally getting a piece out on a topic you’ve been researching for weeks.
That feeling when
You have something you really need to pitch but too many other balls in the air.
We love to hear your feedback on everything we do, so feel free to drop us an email anytime at freelancingforjournalists@gmail.com
Bye for now!
 | A guest post by
|