Where are you more productive?
These days, the debate over the home office is often as heated as a political discussion. Are you more productive in a traditional office, or do you find your workflow thrives when you’re lounging on the sofa at home? I believe everyone is different, and most people would agree that there are advantages and disadvantages to both scenarios. I won’t attempt to persuade you that being at the office is inherently better, but I will highlight some of the advantages of a place like Work&Share, which, in my opinion, makes it a better option than working from home.
Home Distractions
The inspiration for this article struck me last week while I was working from home. How? Well, I had to contend with the constant noise of a neighbor conducting home repairs. At a certain point, they inadvertently severed the building’s intercom system cables, causing all the apartments to start ringing simultaneously. It was like an early Christmas, but instead of presents, I received a 30-minute non-stop doorbell concert. As it turns out, they did indeed damage the intercom system, and now we don’t have one, but that’s a story for another day. Needless to say, it’s challenging to work while listening to a doorbell orchestra. I understand that this doesn’t happen every day (although in Bulgaria, home repairs seem to be a year-round occurrence in every city), and it’s not enough to draw a conclusive statement.
Another reason why I find it difficult to work from home is food-related. I’ve noticed that when I’m at home, I tend to take frequent trips to the fridge. In other words, I end up eating all the time. While this may not always be a problem, especially for me since I’m in a bulking period, I assume most people don’t appreciate losing control and overeating.
I admit that there are days when I’m more productive working from home, but there are also days when I easily get distracted at home—by my dog, household chores, and so on. Statistically, I’ve observed that working from home affects my daily activity as well. When I’m at home, I often finish the day with 8,000 steps, whereas when I’m at Work&Share, my average daily steps range from 13,000 to 15,000.
Once again, I emphasize that this is my perspective, and I understand it’s not an absolute truth.
Work&Share Advantages
The social aspect is the primary reason I prefer going to Work&Share rather than staying at home. Being around people energizes and inspires me. Many great ideas have emerged from face-to-face conversations, and being in the office puts me (and I believe most people) in such a mood. Additionally, you develop communication and interpersonal skills more effectively when you’re in the office among your colleagues.
Apart from work, you get to share complaints, jokes, or conversations with your colleagues, who, ideally, are also your friends. Time seems to fly when you’re around people you like, and those long 8-hour workdays can pass in the blink of an eye. Achieving a balanced work-life dynamic while being professionally successful becomes possible.
Many people now spend their workday in front of a computer screen, which can be strenuous on the eyes. That’s why, every now and then when I’m at Work&Share, I take a break to play a quick game of table tennis or spend some time in the office garden. In the game room, you’ll also find books, fitness equipment, and comfortable sofas or bean bags for relaxation.
Lunchtime is one of the highlights of being physically present at Work&Share. The ritual of gathering to grab lunch from a nearby shop or restaurant is delightful. Moreover, Work&Share provides two kitchens inside and a large table outside in the garden, giving you the flexibility to choose where you’d like to have your lunch.
If you’re a gym enthusiast, you’ll understand the following example. Have you ever tried working out at home? I assume you have, and it’s not impossible. However, psychologically, it’s more challenging to view your home space the same way you perceive a gym. At home, you have a comfortable sofa, a fully stocked fridge, and a tempting TV. Your brain tends to associate your home with relaxation rather than a place for physical activity, and the same holds true for work. Sometimes, it’s difficult to transition from leisure mode to professional mode when you’re in a place where you usually unwind.
Don’t get me wrong; there are also distractions in the office. For instance, when I’m at Work&Share with my colleagues, I tend to sing quite often (perhaps more frequently than my colleagues would prefer). We definitely spend at least 15 minutes each day humming and singing various songs while pretending to work. So, yes, there are plenty of distractions in the office as well.
Unfortunately, there’s no one-size-fits-all recipe or strategy for maximizing productivity. Some people prefer a hybrid model, while others favor 100% remote work. In some cases, people believe that productivity increases when they’re physically present in the office all the time. The ultimate conclusion is that the choice is yours. You or your company can make your decision, and at Work&Share, we are ready to provide everything you need to succeed when you choose to work from the office.
