$3.00 Office Space

I'm going to work out of the office this morning.  It will be quiet in the office anyway, leading up to a three day weekend. I have a mid-afternoon meeting, but this will allow me to miss about 15 minutes worth of traffic by not driving peek rush hour. In the next few months, I will be adding more and more telecommuting days, so I decided today to plant my self in a local Dunn Brothers and test out a coffee shop as my remote office. While mostly I intend to just work from my own home, sometimes I need a little extra noise and stimulation, besides a better cup of coffee than I can make at home, to get my mind really producing.

Veteran remote office worker friends have their schedule almost to a science.  My friend A, who worked for years as the Executive Director of a start-up non-profit, spent at least 50% of her job on the road, and was always in a green light go mental state. She would have crashed if she tried to work from home more than a day a week. She coordinated her coffee shop offices with other meetings and appointments she needed to fit in, but essentially had three main hubs, one in St Paul, another in a  Minneapolis neighborhood near her home, and one near downtown. She would purchase her muffin or scone and a large cup of dark roast, and be set for the morning. A family member, L, who works in publishing, remote offices in coffee shops in or near book stores, preferably independent versions of both, for her office. 

I won't be of the ilk that A or L are, but I am trying to see if this works. Not to miss an opportunity to research, that is, be nosy about my people watching, I decided to scan the shop. Most people are coming in and out very quickly, beverage in hand, and I can see a  drive through four deep with cars. Inside, there is a trio of women discussing life and 31 Bags, and passing around samples of what I think looks like Tastefully Simple catalogs or flyer's. I know the bags, in fact am carrying one now, and I know that is what they are discussing because each woman has a couple with them, and one commented to me while I was getting my cream, "Did you know 31 has a bag with almost the same pattern as your shirt?" I get it.  This is a home shopping, small business owners, networking brain trust. There were two other men with laptops typing away, when I came in, but both have since left.  I see a couple students and a few tables with people just talking.There are still ample empty tables and the fireplace area is free, so at present I don't think I would be overstaying my welcome working here an hour or two. It is still too early for the mommy crowd that I have noticed on other days, and at other coffee shops, that seem to congregate mid-morning.

My large coffee was $2.56, quite pricey when I can brew a moderately, but not nearly as strong, good brew at home.  I left the change in the cup, making it $3.00. I have awesomely fast Internet speed.  I like that.  It is pretty good at home, but I find spotty patches and glitches still occur even after the upgrade.  I'm in a relatively sunny spot by a window and can gaze out and see green, but mostly I am seeing cars driving through town. I managed to snag a comfy deep seat chair, so using my lap as a desk.  I work better this way than I do in the office, though ergonomically, I am probably doing everything wrong for my future posture. At home I have my beloved chaise, and can look out at my own front yard.

My verdict? While this might be a nice change of pace, It will be a rare occurrence in my telecommuting cycle.  I think I would rather work early from home, and if I want a  different scenery, schedule a late breakfast or lunch with someone. Today, since I am in the office later anyway I dressed for work.  Normally if I telecommute, I'll be able to work in the comfort of whatever I feel like putting on, or even stay in my pajamas if I want, though that is not likely. I don't want to perpetuate a telecommuting stereotype. If I would work remotely, but out of my own house, I would feel like I still need to dress as if going to work, though it is a work casual environment. Who else out there combines home offices with coffee offices?  What are your reasons for doing both, or are you a predominantly coffee commuter?  

 Anniversary Giveaway

Only 8 more days until I tick the box on my to do list that says, Start and Maintain a Blog. I wasn't going to consider it a done deal until I made it one year.  Remember to add a comment if you want to a chance for a Minnesota package giveaway. By the way, Dunn Brothers is a Minnesota based company, and may be featured in the basket, though I am not receiving any gift, benefit, or sponsorship from the company. I mention for trivia value, and enticement to enter! Did I mention, you can comment on any post between now and before 9:00 a.m. Minnesota time to enter?  Now I have.