When I first got my iPad I put a timer app on it, and at some point I got really frustrated by how much time I perceived was being wasted, so for a few weeks I timed it every time I wasn't able to work when I was trying to (wifi down, no power, going to a new place, etc). It was crazy, actually, but I was losing half my working day (shortly after that we joined Affinity Lab).
Of course, now that I can't get to a co-working space, I had to get way better at planning and finding good places. Now I don't waste much time.
For that matter, I think I am more productive (for now) because I can't chit-chat and get distracted as I would when I'm around people I know. All of our work is offsite and online right now, so no productivity is wasted.
The biggest trick is, if it's a 3hr commute there and back to your office (plus settling in time) you have to weight it each time whether it's worth the trip or not. But I hit the coffee shop every morning, like it's my office, and gain 2.5hrs. You just can't slack off.
I wouldn't suggest doing it forever, but if you're going to do it, that's how.
Thanks for your explanation :) I actually don't find that I am wasting the travel time though. I have no anxiety about going personally, I know once I get there, I can sit down and get to work without thinking about any of the potential problems. In fact, it's a great time for me to think about things.
Going in: what do I absolutely need to do today? What would I like to do? How can I get it all done?
Going out: Did I reach my goals? Why/why not? What are some of the bigger issues I need to keep thinking about while working the day to day?
It's not an insignificant amount of time, but I don't find it wasteful, I easily spend that much time thinking about problems anyways, now I just am commuting at the same time!
Of course, now that I can't get to a co-working space, I had to get way better at planning and finding good places. Now I don't waste much time.
For that matter, I think I am more productive (for now) because I can't chit-chat and get distracted as I would when I'm around people I know. All of our work is offsite and online right now, so no productivity is wasted.
The biggest trick is, if it's a 3hr commute there and back to your office (plus settling in time) you have to weight it each time whether it's worth the trip or not. But I hit the coffee shop every morning, like it's my office, and gain 2.5hrs. You just can't slack off.
I wouldn't suggest doing it forever, but if you're going to do it, that's how.