If you work from home or you are studying and feel that the walls are closing in on your living room, bedroom or the college library, then it may be time to expand your horizons.

There are many benefits to a change of scene and if you are a freelancer or you work from home then one of the easiest ways to get out and about is to invest in a co-working hot desk where you can spend time alongside others in a similar position to you.

If you are studying part-time consider working at a friend’s house, in a café or even outdoors during the summer months. It’s good to take a break from college life for a while and alternating between the library and various locations can break the monotony of your routine.

What Benefits Does a Change in Work Environment Bring?

Enhances Creativity

If we do the same thing day in and day out it can become boring and it is difficult to come up with new ideas in that situation. Working where others are present, rather that alone at home, can give us a sense of purpose and even some general small talk can help us feel a part of the wider working world.

If you decide to work outside in a park or at the beach, nature can act as a boost to creativity too. The fresh air, increased oxygen and the surrounding sights can perk us up in contrast to staring at the walls of our flat and yawning continually as we hit a slump. In fact, if you know that your mind wanders at certain times of the day, say early morning or late afternoon, this can be the perfect time to take a short walk and work in a different environment for a while.

Boost Productivity

The danger of working from home can be that procrastination sets in. It’s easy to become distracted by something on television and even household chores such as washing up or mowing the lawn can seem more attractive than at any other time. If you suffer from delaying tactics in your work life, a co-working space particularly can be a good option. You will be surrounded by people all working on their own businesses. This can be a big boost to your own motivation to get things achieved and you will see your productivity rise.

Working in a different environment can also give structure to your day. If you struggle to keep clear working hours or to get up in the morning, plan to be at a café or hot-desk by a certain time and this will help you keep on track. This can be a particular struggle for students, so to give yourself extra incentive to get up early arrange to meet a friend somewhere so that you can spend the morning working side by side.

Networking Opportunities

For those who run their own business working in a co-working space or spending time in a serviced office gives you plenty of scope for networking opportunities. In a serviced building there will be many companies who may need your services or who you could collaborate with on joint ventures. It’s amazing the conversations that spring up over a chat by the water-cooler and you might be pleasantly surprised by what that can mean for you in terms of new business going forward.

With such clear benefits, what are you waiting for? Even if you start out slowly and only work away from home one day per week, you should start to see a rise in your productivity straight away. It will also lead to you spending the days you continue to work at home more constructively, because you will recapture the appreciation for the many benefits that escaping from a cubicle can bring.