Today I sit in a three-story atrium, looking out on a now calm courtyard to cloudy skies. Outside pools of rainwater occasionally drip from deep green leaves to the dark ground below with each light breeze that ripples through the well-manicured courtyard. Thankfully the piano sits covered and silent. No one plays it today for the steady stream of blue-clad medical professionals who pass by without a word or a glance. Moving from one procedure to the next.
I’ve finished my video conference, which likely was a curiosity for the passers-by. I’ve been seated strategically with my back to a white tile wall, head blocking the stainless steel box labeled “Fire Extinguisher” to minimize the volume of the conversation for those who do work here. Sitting in one of two modern but sterile seats in front of one of the only electrical outlets I could find, I pulled the small side table between the chairs to hold my coffee and laptop as I worked my way through the day’s agenda.
This wasn’t my planned office for the day. I’m working from the lobby of a nearby hospital. Why? They have internet and coffee, but no background music. It is quiet. And my conference call will not disturb the atmosphere, as it would in my local library.
Weather Disrupts Work
We had a ferocious windstorm last night and the power is out in my neighborhood. No electricity. No internet. No heat. This has become a more frequent event in recent years with new weather patterns. Fires. Brown-outs. All over the world. With repetition, you start getting good at having backup plans. Maintaining the daily work schedule and getting creative about where and how to hold meetings and keep things going with minimal disruption.
A kind man in blue scrubs just wheeled by pushing a garbage bin. He turns his head, “Long surgery today” he says. “Thankfully, no,” I reply. He’s the first person to speak to me all day. Perhaps as he passed I was vacantly gazing out the window. And just then the text comes through. Great news! Power is back on and I’m heading home.
What adventure awaits me tomorrow?
Here are some of my “pro-tips” (as one of my neighbors calls them) for showing up when the odds are against you:
Places to Work When You Lose Power or Just Need to Get Out of the House
Coffee shops typically have electricity and internet – and food of course! They are great for in-person meetings, interviews, or heads-down work. Typically they will let you stay for hours even all day – as long as you reciprocate with food and drink purchases commensurate with the time you spend. Because they usually play high-energy music and are busy – and loud at peak commute and lunch times, they’re not great for conference calls.
In a crunch I’ve been known to sit in the quiet confines of my car outside a Starbucks, to tap their internet for a conference call. And enjoy a snack and sip, of course.
Coffee shops typically have electricity and internet – and food of course! They are great for in-person meetings, interviews, or heads-down work. Typically they will let you stay for hours – even all day – as long as you reciprocate with food and drink purchases commensurate with the time you spend. Because they usually play high-energy music and are busy – and loud – at peak commute and lunch times, They’re not great for conference calls.
In a crunch, I’ve been known to sit in the quiet confines of my car outside a Starbucks, to tap their internet for a conference call. And enjoy a snack and sip, of course.
Libraries are one of my favorite places to get heads-down work done when I don’t have adequate WiFi in my home, hotel, or vacation rental location. However, I’m finding that post-COVID, there aren’t as many private room rentals available in libraries as there used to be.
They typically have free WiFi and decent bandwidth, even in small towns and remote areas. I have also stepped outside or into my car to take calls or video conferences in quiet and still had WiFi connectivity in just the right spot in the parking lots. The downside about taking calls outside the doors: sometimes that is where smokers are also taking their breaks – understandable, but not my thing.
Libraries are one of my favorite places to get heads-down work done when I don’t have adequate WiFi in my home, hotel, or vacation rental location. However, I’m finding that post-COVID, there aren’t as many private room rentals available in libraries as there used to be.
They typically have free WiFi and decent bandwidth, even in small towns and remote areas. I have also stepped outside or into my car to take calls or video conferences in quiet and still had wifi connectivity in just the right spot in the parking lots. The downside about taking calls outside the doors: sometimes that is where smokers are also taking their breaks – understandable, but not my thing.
Coworking spaces like Regus, WeWork, and LiquidSpace have also been lifesavers for me when I have had unexpected connectivity challenges while traveling. On days when I’m traveling, I typically get to the airport or train station early enough to be set up and prepared for calls or virtual meetings and deadlines. It is much easier to find quiet spaces to be productive in airports with lounges and clubs than train stations. I also find the smaller non-membership-based coworking services most convenient and least busy for a single day or one-off visit. Whereas the larger services, tend to be great for group meetings and multiple time uses, such as when your team or company has outgrown your local office space.
Coworking spaces like Regus, WeWork, and LiquidSpace have also been lifesavers for me when I have had unexpected connectivity challenges while traveling. On days when I’m traveling, I typically get to the airport or train station early enough to be set up and prepared for calls or virtual meetings and deadlines. It is much easier to find quiet spaces to be productive in airports with lounges and clubs than train stations. I also find the smaller non-membership-based coworking services most convenient and least busy for a single day or one-off visit. Whereas the larger services, tend to be great for group meetings and multiple time uses, such as when your team or company has outgrown your local office space.
Through local co-working services, I’ve worked in some beautiful old buildings. Note to self: train stations have such beautiful architecture, but don’t book the room adjacent to the tracks. The trains still come through. And they blast their horns and the building shakes. It is an event! Sometimes hourly. In the middle of the board meeting! (If you ever need a co-working space in Yakima – the Palm Springs of Washington (Ha!), I do recommend the old train station, but work in the lobby or get a room that is not on the tracks.
HINT: When I’m visiting a smaller town, I do a quick search in Google Maps for “coworking spaces”. These have yielded, wonderful private spaces in wineries, restaurants, coffee shops – and a restored train station in Yakima.
Through local co-working services, I’ve worked in some beautiful old buildings. Note to self: train stations have such beautiful architecture, but don’t book the room adjacent to the tracks. The trains still come through. And they blast their horns and the building shakes. It is an event! Sometimes hourly. In the middle of the board meeting! (If you ever need a co-working space in Yakima – the Palm Springs of Washington (Ha!), I do recommend the old train station, but work in the lobby or get a room that is not on the tracks.
HINT: When I’m visiting a smaller town, I do a quick search in Google Maps for “coworking spaces”. These have yielded, wonderful private spaces in wineries, restaurants, coffee shops – and a restored train station in Yakima.
Hospital lobbies have been a better choice for me than hotel lobbies. Internet is typically free, atmosphere is quieter – trauma centers excluded – don’t try to use a trauma center lobby. There are typically very few people using the space or needing the outlets.
Hospital lobbies have been a better choice for me than hotel lobbies. Internet is typically free, atmosphere is quieter – trauma centers excluded – don’t try to use a trauma center lobby. There are typically very few people using the space or needing the outlets.
Have you worked in any unique spaces? Let us know below.
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