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<p>Working in a location outside your house can be both a challenging and productive experience if you take the right approach! These ten tips will give you a solid foundation for turning any place into an efficient workspace. The important thing is to find the formula that suits you best.</p> <h3><strong>1. Plan your day before you go</strong></h3> <p>Good organization is the key to <a href="https://www.momenteo.com/blog/6-tips-to-help-you-remain-productive-all-day-long">productivity</a>! Whether you&#39;re working remotely in your home office or elsewhere, it helps you avoid procrastination. Preparation becomes even more important when you leave your usual space. You don&#39;t always have access to your bearings or your work tools, which can quickly make you lose track.</p> <p>Before you leave, take a few minutes to write a list of tasks to accomplish. That way, you can refer to it when you get to your other work location. However, beware of endless to-do lists. Instead, choose a realistic number of tasks that you can complete in the time provided.</p> <h3><strong>2. Gather your work items</strong></h3> <p>Before you leave, look inside your bag. You&#39;ve probably already put your computer in it, but have you thought about its charger, your cell phone&#39;s charger, an external battery, your mouse, your notebook and your pencils? To be productive, you need to have all your items to complete the tasks you listed for yourself!</p> <p>Working on cloud storage offers a major advantage here. Your documents follow you everywhere, no matter what device you use. This solution prevents you from annoying oversights and is particularly useful if you switch between several computers.</p> <h3><strong>3. Make sure you have a good internet connection</strong></h3> <p>This is crucial. You will certainly have to use the internet at some point or another to work. So, to keep your productivity up, make sure the connection is fast and stable. If possible, find out in advance about the reliability of the Wi-Fi at your work location. When in doubt, you can use your phone&#39;s Personal Hotspot but always keep an eye on your data. It would be a shame to run out in the middle of your workday.</p> <h3><strong>4. Choose a location that suits your needs</strong></h3> <p>Want to get outside to see something other than the four walls of your home office? We get that! But be careful, not every place is suitable for every task. If you have to spend a lot of time on the phone or in Zoom meetings, choose places where you can be in a closed room. That way, you can talk without disturbing other people around you. Perhaps you need maximum concentration. Go to a place like the library or a quiet <a href="https://www.momenteo.com/blog/9-benefits-of-working-from-a-coworking-space">coworking space</a>.</p> <h3><strong>5. Set up your space as soon as you arrive</strong></h3> <p>Before you even turn on your computer, strategically arrange your workspace. Choose a table near electrical outlets, ideally away from a high traffic area. That could mean not sitting near the front door or service counter in a coffee shop. Plug in your electronics, then arrange your notes and accessories in an orderly fashion. This is a way to optimize your temporary office for efficiency.</p> <h3><strong>6. Give yourself some well-deserved breaks</strong></h3> <p>Give yourself the right to take breaks! They are essential for recharging your brain and maintaining good productivity. Take the opportunity to get a coffee or snack. You could even chat with the other people around you if they are open to conversation of course! These moments allow you to maintain a balance between productivity and the enjoyment of getting out of your house.</p> <h3><strong>7. Set a specific schedule</strong></h3> <p>If you have to work while on vacation, set a clear schedule so you can stay productive while enjoying quality time with your family or friends. Determine the time slots that work best for you and limit your work to those times. Also, let people travelling with you know when you&#39;re busy.</p> <h3><strong>8. Work with friends &ndash; but set rules!</strong></h3> <p>Working in a cafe with friends can be very stimulating. This allows you to discuss your professional lives, your challenges and your successes. But be careful. To stay productive, it&#39;s best to set rules. For example, you could give yourself ten minutes of personal discussion every hour. This way, you enjoy time with your friends while getting things done.</p> <h3><strong>9. Put your phone on silent</strong></h3> <p>A text message pops up, then an Instagram notification pops up, then poof your focus evaporates! These seemingly innocuous distractions are a major hindrance to your productivity. Instead, put your phone on silent or focus mode to fully concentrate on your work. As a bonus, you show respect for others around you by reducing noise in public places.</p> <h3><strong>10. Adopt a professional mindset</strong></h3> <p>Think of the place where you set up shop as a real workplace. This mindset will help you stay focused on your goals rather than getting distracted by the social vibe of the place. This is especially important in cafes or public spaces, where stimuli are plentiful and sometimes tempting. Keeping your priorities in mind will help you resist procrastination and maximize your work time.</p> <p>Feel free to test these strategies and adapt them to your needs. After all, one of the biggest benefits of self-employment is the freedom to create an environment that looks like you, no matter where you are. And to help you stay organized no matter where you work, tools like <a href="https://www.momenteo.com/">Momenteo</a> follow you anywhere so that you can manage your accounting!</p>