How Changing Your Scenery Boosts Productivity Without Burnout
When it comes to routines, everything depends on where you work. Maybe you work from home, or you have a hybrid schedule—sometimes at a coffee shop, sometimes at a coworking space, sometimes in a park, or maybe always at your office. Some people love to switch up their environment, while others prefer sticking to one place.
Personally, I enjoy working in parks, on trains, or anywhere I can get a good internet connection. When there’s no internet, I switch to tasks that don’t need it—reading, writing, or just thinking. Back when I lived in the UK, I spent a lot of time working in coffee shops. Manchester was my home for a while, and I loved it. My favorite spot was Caffè Nero, though I also spent hours at Costa and, yes, even Starbucks. I remember once, after working so many hours at a Starbucks in London, I decided to apply for a job there—just to see what it was like on the other side of the counter. The staff was fantastic, and the experience was surprisingly fun.
But let’s get back to the main point: whether you work from different places or always from the same spot, it’s important to know what works best for you. I’ve worked from Airbnbs, hotels (from the fancy Hyatt and Hilton to the simplest hostels), and even from moving vehicles like trains and boats. I’m lucky—I don’t get motion sickness, so I can work almost anywhere. But not everyone is like that. My partner, for example, can’t work in cars or buses; she gets sick unless she’s looking out the window or sleeping. For her, trying to work on a laptop while traveling is impossible.
We’re all different, and that’s fine. The key is to figure out what environment helps you be the most productive. Sometimes, life throws curveballs—like the lockdowns, when we were all stuck at home. Or, in my case, when I broke my knee and ended up in the hospital for six days. I had to use crutches, and moving around was a challenge. But even in the hospital, I kept working. My partner brought me my laptop, and I worked from my hospital bed. It wasn’t the best environment—especially in Australia, where hospital rooms are often shared and noisy—but I managed.
What I’ve learned is that changing your environment can give you a boost. But it also depends on the kind of work you’re doing. Some days, you wake up on the wrong side of the bed, and nothing seems to flow. For many engineers and developers I know (myself included), the first few hours of the day are the most productive—deep work, total focus. After that, it’s time for the gym, lighter tasks, maybe a podcast or a chat with friends or family.
The most important thing is to know yourself and be disciplined. Otherwise, your day can end up like a plate of spaghetti—going in every direction. I’m naturally curious, always full of ideas, and sometimes I want to do everything at once. That’s why it’s so important to recognize your weak points and work on them. Building resilience and consistency helps you produce quality work and feel good about it.
For a long time, I used to work lying on my bed, laptop propped up on my elbows. Not anymore. Now, if I’m in bed, it’s to rest—not to work. We all change, and it’s important to step back and learn what really works for us.
Our time is the rarest and most precious resource we have. Money flows in and out, but time only moves forward. Once a minute is gone, you can never get it back.
— Anonymous
If you want to go deeper into productivity, I’ve put together a self-help book and a podcast with El that might interest you. But whatever you do, remember: the best time to take action is today. Don’t put off what you can do now. Organizing your days is a lifelong investment, and it’s the best one you can make.
Key Takeaways
- Find the environment that helps you work best—don’t be afraid to change it up.
- Know your most productive hours and plan your deep work for those times.
- Recognize your weaknesses and build routines that help you stay on track.
- Your time is precious—invest it wisely.
Reflection
- Where do you feel most productive?
- What routines help you get into a flow state?
- Are you making the most of your time, or letting it slip away?
Pierre-Henry Soria
#Lifestyle Improvement #Nomad #Productivity #Remote Work #Routine Optimization #Tasks #Tech #Time-Management #Work Environment