Here we go! Motivation just kicked in. I open my laptop, anxious to get my essay done that’s due 3 days from now. I know, 3 days is still plenty of time but I got a thousand other things to accomplish. I’m rushing, but I start off nice and strong. I feel like I got it, but about 30 minutes later, I yawn. I look to my bed, and suddenly, I’m tired. You know what, I feel like I need to take a break. I’ve already written a strong paragraph, anyway. I deserve it, don’t I? Hence I crawl to my soft, comfortable bed, grab my phone, and scroll away until I fall asleep. When I wake up, I remember my essay. But I’ve lost the motivation already and I tell myself I’ll finish it tomorrow. 3 days later, essay’s due and I’m rushing 30 minutes before the deadline. Ending? I submit a crappy assignment I know I could’ve done better.
This seemed to be the story of my everyday life at college. Somehow, I really couldn’t get a lot of work done when I was home. I just NEVER found it easy to study at home. It was practically impossible. I can’t tell you how many times I’ve missed deadlines because of this. It wasn’t until thesis season that I finally hopped into the bandwagon and brought my laptop with me to a local coffee shop, hopeful to actually make some progress. It really was, to be honest, the first time I got to finish more than what I usually would. Something about the coffee shop’s ambience really improved my focus.
I finally understood why many people find themselves more productive in a coffee shop. Sure, I could have saved money if I just stayed at home. But the money spent on good coffee, air-conditioning, comfortable seating, plus, free wi-fi? Well, it’s all worth it!
I wish I had given it a chance earlier in my college life. I wish I wasn’t so kuripot, as they say in Filipino, with spending on stuff that would benefit me anyway.
Months later, after graduating and entering the workforce, I discovered yet another thing I wish I had known about sooner. A game changer. Something that really, really, would have saved me as a lazy and frustrated college student back then. I don’t know, but somehow, I never really had an idea that it existed. I never saw one post about it on social media. The algorithm just never found me.
Can you guess? Here it is, the ultimate productivity hack: coworking spaces!
Let me explain. It’s basically a place designed to motivate us and put us to work, which is, as we’ve established a while ago, something that not even the most comfortable and most secure place we call home can make us do sometimes. Think office, coffee shop, or library, but better! You work alongside people from different workforces but you don’t have to share interactions. The only things you share are the amazing amenities that the place offers, like high-speed internet, air-conditioning, good lighting, complimentary drinks, printing services, and etc. You get to enjoy finishing your own work at your own desk, peacefully! With less noise and no distractions. It’s perfect for students, professionals, freelancers, virtual assistants, and anyone who simply wants to be productive.
I swear my A-game is on when I’m sitting down at a coworking space because the atmosphere of working alongside like-minded individuals just pushes me. Plus, I had to make sure my money wasn’t going to waste!
So the next time you have to get some work done, consider visiting your nearest coworking space. Trust me, it’s a game changer!
