Working on the Go

Working at home has its own perks and disadvantages. Some of the perks that I see are setting up your very own workspace. You can make this as personal as you’d want it to be. You also get to save - A LOT. Clock in at work anytime, in your jammies or very very casual clothes and no one would mind. You can also take power naps at anytime you need an energy boost. However, when inspirations are not within your grasp and you’re a little low on the creativity pool, you DO need to get out. Or if you end up taking more power naps than you intend to, well it’s time to shake things up a bit with a change of work scenery.

Such is the case for me now that I’m working freelance.

Photo credit: goodandlost.org

When I’m working on the go, here are my essentials for a mobile office:

• A laptop bag with a lot of pockets

Why the pockets? I want everything organized. I don’t want my mouse cables and charger cables intertwining while they’re in the bag. I could lose precious time trying to untangle them especially if I’m going to do a presentation.

• Broadband stick

Just in case you have to send an email or a need to look up something on the internet, this is handy to have around. Some coffeeshops let you use their wifi for free but some don’t so it’s better to be prepared.

• A notebook and a set of pens

Of course you can take notes with a writing app in your laptop but for stuff that you need to take down without you requiring to boot up your computer then obviously pen and paper is the practical way to go. Oh and I’d have to state the importance of an extra pen here, again better to be prepared. I use the notebook to make random sketches too.

• Tumbler

Do your part in helping the environment. Sometimes I’m guilty of forgetting this too but it’s good to make it a habit to have your coffee poured into your own tumbler instead of the cafe’s plastic or styro cups. If they have the option, use their mugs instead too. You’ll even get a discount.

• Sweater

There have been dozens of times when I worked at a coffeeshop with frozen fingers and constant shivers. Cafes sometimes DO turn their A/C up too much. When this happens, it’s good to have an extra sweatshirt on hand to keep you warm (or a small blanket or throw can do wonders). Comfort is still key when working out of your home.

• An extension cord

You wouldn’t want to be caught with an empty laptop battery while mobile working do you? And sometimes coffeeshops don’t provide enough floor outlets for their patrons and you could have the luck to be seated very far away from a convenience outlet. If you had your own extension cord then that would solve the problem. I have my own and it has saved me countless of times. Now I don’t have to worry even if I’m seated way at the center of the coffeeshop.