You see it in many different blogs and social media sites: cute little stock photos of people working at a café or coffee shop. As aesthetically pleasing as it may appear, this is actually a highly impractical way to work remotely. Here are the biggest reasons to avoid it.
Distractions
Transitioning to working from home is trickier than you might imagine. While it eliminates the considerable inconvenience of a commute and provides newfound flexibility, you’ll have to learn how to deal with distractions at a whole new level. An office setting traditionally provides a professional space free from excessive and unnecessary interruptions that can easily take away from your work time. While the effectiveness of an office is disputed, one thing is for sure: working in a public place provides a wealth of opportunities to get distracted. Strangers, friends, food, and no one to hold you accountable for your work is a recipe for wasted time.
Poor Wi-Fi Security
No matter what kind of company you work for, you should keep basic security in mind. In the modern digital era, it’s something that everyone needs to be aware of. Even small businesses that are not centered on tech need to be wary. Free public Wi-Fi may be convenient, but it can pose security risks. Using such a public Wi-Fi service leaves you, your files, and your employer naturally vulnerable. You should take vigilant care of your own equipment no matter the setting – using passwords even in your own home. Your private Wi-Fi is going to be a lot safer than a public option.
Your Own Inconvenience
Ultimately, coffee shops and cafes don’t actually offer that much to help you stay on track. Pre-prepared food is just about the only commodity worth your time. Other helpful elements–privacy, good bathrooms, comfortable seating, etc.–may or may not be available to you. Even if it is, the fact of the matter is that coffee shops exist to extract money from whoever spends time inside. Even if you try to avoid it, the evidence points to the likelihood that you will end up spending needless amounts of money on overpriced muffins. Save your wallet and your peace of mind by working somewhere else.
That location might be an office space. It might be your home. Wherever you decide to go, make sure that it meets your criteria for making a wholesome workspace. After weeks or months of progress, you’ll be grateful that you did.
Check out this article on how to respond to a business cyber security breach!
