How to Refresh Your Routine Without Losing Productivity
When it comes to routines, everything depends on where and how you work. Maybe you work from home, or you have a hybrid schedule—sometimes in coffee shops, sometimes in parks, sometimes in coworking spaces, or maybe always from your office. Some people love to switch things up, while others prefer the comfort of a single spot.
Personally, I love working in parks. There’s something about being outside, with a bit of fresh air and the world moving around you, that makes work feel lighter. If you have a good internet connection, you can work almost anywhere. And when you don’t, you can always read, write, or do tasks that don’t need to be online.
Back when I lived in the UK, especially in Manchester (a city I still love), I spent hours in coffee shops. Costa was everywhere, but my favorite was Caffè Nero. Starbucks was also a regular spot, even though I’m not a big fan anymore. For fun, I even applied for a job at Starbucks in London, just to see what it was like behind the counter. I used to spend hours there as a freelancer, so I thought, why not? The team was great, the manager was fantastic, and it was a genuinely fun experience.
But let’s get back to the main point: whether you’re always working from home, from an office, or you like to move around, it’s important to find what works for you. Right now, I’m in an Airbnb, but you might be working from your own place, your partner’s apartment, or even your parents’ house. For me, changing my environment helps a lot. But sometimes, like during lockdowns, you’re stuck in one place and have to adapt.
I’ve worked from all kinds of places—beautiful hotels, hostels (even the not-so-clean ones), trains, cars, and boats. I’m lucky that I don’t get motion sickness, so I can work almost anywhere. But not everyone is like that. My partner, for example, gets carsick and can’t use her phone or laptop in a moving vehicle. She has to look out the window or sleep, otherwise she feels terrible. We’re all different, and that’s okay.
The key is to know which environment makes you most productive. There are also different times of day that work better for different people. Sometimes, outside events force you to change your routine. For example, I recently broke my knee and ended up in the hospital for six days. Even there, I worked from my hospital bed. It wasn’t the best environment—especially in Australia, where hospital rooms are more like open wards with several beds and lots of noise—but I made it work.
What I’ve learned is that I enjoy working in new environments. It gives me energy. But it also depends on the kind of work I’m doing. Some days, you just wake up on the wrong side of the bed, and nothing seems to flow.
Many developers and engineers (myself included) like to start the day with a few hours of deep, focused work. After that, the afternoon is for the gym or activities that need less brainpower. Later, maybe a podcast, an interview, or just relaxing with friends or family. This is a great way to organize your day, but the most important thing is to know yourself and be disciplined. Otherwise, your day can end up all over the place, like a plate of spaghetti.
If you’re naturally curious, like me, you might want to do a thousand things at once. Ideas pop up all the time, and it’s easy to get distracted. That’s why it’s so important to know your weaknesses and work on them. Build resilience and structure, so you can produce quality work and use your best hours for deep focus.
I used to work from my bed, but not anymore. Now, if I’m in bed, it’s to rest, not to work. We’re all different, and it’s important to step back and really get to know yourself.
Time is the most precious resource we have. Money comes and goes, but a minute lost is gone forever.
— Pierre
Key Takeaways
- Find the environment that makes you most productive—don’t be afraid to experiment.
- Know your best hours for deep work and protect them.
- Structure your day, but stay flexible when life throws you a curveball.
- Be honest about your weaknesses and work on them.
- Remember: your time is your most valuable asset.
Reflection
- Where do you feel most productive?
- What time of day do you do your best work?
- Are you letting distractions steal your best hours?
- How can you reorganize your days to make the most of your time?
Pierre-Henry Soria
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