Do you have a dedicated space to work?

Interview with Gregory, a Senior Software Developer

Yes, I have a dedicated office. In my opinion, it is extremely important to have one (at least for me it is).

My office is where I go to work, it's my "commute" - and since I own it, I'm able to set it up exactly as I want.

A large comfortable chair, a very large corner desk, 3 monitors and a desktop computer, the temperature set to what I want, a nice mechanical keyboard, and the ability to shut the doors to keep others at my house from interrupting me.

My family knows that when I'm in there and the door is shut, I'm working. I don't need to worry about pets or other people interrupting, and the fact that it's a dedicated workspace means the "call" of distractions is out of sight and out of mind.

I've tried working on the couch, or in the kitchen or on the back porch, but I've found I just can't focus unless I'm in my element with everything I need to work within arms' reach.

Another big benefit of having a dedicated workspace is that there is a clear line between "working" and "not working".

When I first started working remotely, I fell into the trap of starting early because I was up, and working until like 7 or 8PM because "why not - I'm here and I'm not doing anything else."

I wouldn't be able to stop thinking about a problem even after I was "done" and sitting at the kitchen table eating dinner. I would let frustrations with work bleed over into my personal life. Having a specific physical area that I work in helps stop that.

Even the few seconds that it takes me to walk out of the office is enough to help my brain switch into a "home" context. Now work problems stay in the office, home problems stay at home, and I'm able to walk away from them (both physically and mentally) when needed.

Having that dedicated space also puts some more barriers up and makes it a little harder to switch between "working" and "at home", which means you are much less tempted to "just finish this one thing after dinner" because it would take me 5 minutes to turn everything back on, launch my editor, etc.

While that may make it sound like I'm trying to "slack off" or that I'm stopping myself from working hard, the opposite is true. We need breaks to focus, we need times when we aren't working in order to work effectively.

The days after I put down the headset and stop working at 5PM are always much more productive than the ones where I let myself continue working until I go to bed only to start again the next morning.

Getting away from problems of work helps you come back with a new perspective or start thinking about it from the ground up again. And you can't do that if part of your brain is always in "work mode".

Gregory is a senior software developer working from home - learn how he finds the balance between lack of focus and hyperfocus.

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Interview with Betsy, a head of content and remote work routine expert

Yes! I have a home office, which I love! On my desk, I always have my MacBook Pro, my paper planner, a notebook, and a cup of coffee and a cup of water.

For me, it's really important to have a dedicated workspace.

I used to find myself puttering all over the house with my laptop, an hour working in bed and a few hours on the couch. This might work for some people but for me, I've found that having a specific office space works best for me.

This way, my brain knows that if I'm in the office, it's time to work. From time to time I also enjoy working from a coffee shop.

Betsy Ramser is a content manager, blogger, and teacher who helps other remote workers thrive while creating a daily routine that works.

Read full interview from Interview with Betsy, a head of content and remote work routine expert.

Interview with Digital Nomad Sage, an entrepreneur and UX consultant

My dedicated workspace is my bedroom. It’s super comfortable, and I have everything that I need at my fingertips there. I usually wear headphones and listen to music to tune out the outside world.

From e-books to blogging, Digital Nomad Sage has become an expert on making money online—see his advice for developing an online business.

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Interview with Liz, a UI/UX designer and cowork advocate

I like having a home base at my apartment in Atlanta, but I crave variety in my work environment. For this reason, I'm always seeking new and interesting places to post up with my laptop for a couple of hours.

I'm currently a member at a wonderful coworking space in Bali called Dojo for the next month. Coworking spaces provide the stability of a dedicated space to work, attend talks, and meet fellow remote workers.

I'm traveling with Wifi Tribe – a coliving travel company catering to digital nomads – and I will often meet up with fellow WiFi Tribers in cafes.

Liz is a traveling UI/UX designer—see her strategy for thriving as a digital nomad and her efforts to promote coworking.

Read full interview from Interview with Liz, a UI/UX designer and cowork advocate.

Interview with Katerina, a team collaboration consultant who sees the value of discipline

I have a dedicated space to work in my office. I also often work from a co-working space or home.

My home office is in the kids' playroom. I often sit between lego pieces and arts and craft material. It's a small room, so sometimes I need to reiterate to the children that this little square meter of desk space is MINE. However, generally, they are good and leave my stuff alone.

My office space has been a great source of learning. It's something I really appreciate, having worked alone for several years. I also just moved to another country, and my colleagues teach me a lot about this location.

The co-working space is the place I can focus on my company. It's a good mix of young people.

But as with other co-working spaces, you need to make an effort to talk with others.

I also work from coffee shops. Workfrom.co is a great app to discover good coffee shops. They also have a great community on Slack.

My old home town had the best coffee shop ever (Livin' room). There is excellent music, great atmosphere, and exceptional staff. When I go back, I always pop in for a chat and a coffee.

Katerina fell into remote work by accident - she reveals how easy and straightforward it can be to make discipline a daily part of remote work.

Read full interview from Interview with Katerina, a team collaboration consultant who sees the value of discipline.

Interview with Ayush, a CEO and avid remote team builder

Yes, I do. In fact, I still can't work from home. I need to get to a work desk away from home before I can start.

Ayush is a CEO that is committed to helping companies build successful remote teams—see his process and tips for developing location independent teams that thrive.

Read full interview from Interview with Ayush, a CEO and avid remote team builder.

Interview with Harry, an IT Architect who works from home

There was a time that I occupied an entire room with a large IKEA desk crowded with monitors, a printer, stacks of papers and trinkets. I slowly realized most of this was just noise (literally) and unnecessary.

Now I have a dedicated work area in the bedroom that's rather minimal with a small writing desk and a chair.

I do most of my work here during the day, but I can also easily unplug my laptop and migrate to somewhere else in the house for a change of scenery without any hassle.

I've also been known to work in exotic locations like the food court at Target while my wife is shopping :)

Harry has worked remotely for almost 10 years as a senior mobile, web and desktop developer—learn how he balances work with family.

Read full interview from Interview with Harry, an IT Architect who works from home.

Interview with Alexandra Cote, a remote digital marketer and freelancer

Kind of. I literally work on my kitchen table [hands up if you do that too!]. It's higher and thus "healthier" for my arms and hands. I guess.

I always work from there. No office though. It's not something you need. A good laptop is your entire workspace. Once you get to work, you'll transport yourself into the digital realm, so an office is fairly useless.

However, I do know people who can't work from a cluttered environment or just when things are not in the right place. If that's you, set up a safe haven to keep you productive!

Alexandra juggles freelancing, a full-time remote job, YouTube, and Skillshare instructing. How does she manage it all? Find out in her interview.

Read full interview from Interview with Alexandra Cote, a remote digital marketer and freelancer.

Interview with Cameron, a designer who works remotely at a WordPress agency

I have a dedicated office space in my home but also try to change things up by working from different locations such as a local coffee shop or my outdoor patio which overlooks a wooded area.

I think changing your scenery from time to time can help fuel your creative juices and improve your overall well-being by getting some fresh air.

Learn how Cameron started full-time remote work after trying freelancing and starting a digital agency.

Read full interview from Interview with Cameron, a designer who works remotely at a WordPress agency.

Interview with Patryk, a Front-end Developer & UI Designer

Yes. I'm renting a desk in a coworking space, where I keep my 25" monitor, external keyboard and mouse.

If I am staying at home, I set up my MacBook on a kitchen table, but having a nice environment in the coworking space helps me getting out and keeping the routine.

Patryk has learned that there is no reason to wait for the flow - once you start working, it will happen naturally.

Read full interview from Interview with Patryk, a Front-end Developer & UI Designer.