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5 productivity life hacks in a coworking space
You’d think it’d be easy to focus on your work among like-minded, hard-working professionals, but think again. Coworking space has taken the world by storm for the past decade. With rent at an all-time high in cities like Singapore, this is the solution for many aspiring entrepreneurs, creatives, start-ups, and freelancers. Right now, these are the best coworking spaces in Singapore. However, with so many activities buzzing around you, how do you maximize productivity in this communal space? How do you make sure your time and money aren’t wasted?
Here are 5 productivity life hacks for a coworking space.
1. Music
Research shows that certain types of music help you concentrate. It’s easy to lose track of time when you’re listening to music. Some people find music helps them focus, while others get distracted.
Good news for people who find lyrics incredibly distracting! Listening to classical music – in particular, Mozart’s music – aids concentration and increases your IQ for a period of time. This is known as the Mozart Effect. Not into classical music? Hubspot has 7 science-backed playlists for productivity – one for each genre, so there is something for everyone.
Sometimes, all you need is to work uninterrupted, especially if you’re in a state of deep focus. Friendships form when you see the same people every day. No doubt you’d be tempted into a conversation or two. A pair of headphones paints a big “do-not-disturb” sign on you and does a great job muffling any background chatter. Finish your work for the day before grabbing a drink with your friends after.
2. Set a schedule
Replace your to-do list with a schedule instead. One disadvantage of working in a coworking space is that you must work at your own pace, which isn’t always easy. According to Cal Newport, the author of the best-selling book “Deep Work”, setting your own schedule forces you to confront the reality of how much time you actually have and how long each task takes.
Through trial and error, you will learn how to make the best of your time. This productivity life hack trains you to squeeze out the extra time in your day. Also, you will learn to quickly dive into your tasks.
The most successful people in the world are rigorous followers of their schedules. They recognize that time is a limited resource. In fact, Newport himself is a full-time university professor, father, author of four books, and a blogger all at the same time!
3. Develop good habits
You are either slowly getting better or slowly getting worse. According to the author of Atomic Habits, another New York Times best-seller, habits make up who you are as a person. This is something to keep in mind as you start your workday.
A habit is formed by a series of small, repeated actions. The result of one action might be minuscule at first, but makes a huge splash over the course of days, months and then years. Most importantly, this is true for both good and bad habits.
The next time you have 10 minutes to spare, try reading an article in your field of interest. You may not instantly become an expert in your field. However, keep it up for long enough and your knowledge will accumulate.
4. Change your position
Sometimes all you need to regain your focus is a change of scenery. If you’ve been unmotivated sitting at the same desk for too long, try sitting on the sofa instead. You might feel inspired again just with this simple productivity life hack.
You can also do some simple stretches or move around for a bit. The human body is not made to sit around all day. You’ll find your stiff joints loosened after, and the adrenaline rush from cardio will lift your mood enough to carry you through the rest of your afternoon.
5. Break regularly
Even the toughest worker needs a break. Give your brain a bit of a reprieve before you plunge into your work again.
If you have a bit more time to spare, try taking a 20-minute power nap. You’ll find that you are much more energized afterwards and ready to tackle work again. According to WebMD, a power nap is even more effective than the coffee you drink. In fact, caffeine can decrease your memory performance.
Sleep also has an important effect on learning and creativity. Do you have times when you feel like you’re stuck trying to solve a problem, so you leave it alone, but when you come back to it later, you realize you’ve suddenly figured out a solution? In the theory of creativity, seemingly unsolvable problems can be solved by simply taking a break from them. This sets up your brain to work on it unconsciously.
A summary
Our four productivity life hacks include both active and passive activities. You should actively set up a schedule, develop good habits (no matter how small of a habit it is!), and switch seats from time to time. Moreover, remember to take breaks to avoid burnout, and listen to some music if it helps you concentrate.
Are you an expat in Singapore, or do you plan to travel anytime soon?
Traveling to a foreign country can be daunting. You don’t know what accidents may befall you (if it does), and how serious they could be – sky-high medical bills aside. That’s why it’s always good to secure an insurance plan before you go. Pacific Prime has all your insurance needs covered! From expat health insurance to international health insurance and family insurance, our team of expert insurance advisors are happy to match you up with the perfect plan for your needs.
Contact us for a free quote today!
Serena earned her Bachelor’s Degree in Psychology from the University of British Columbia, Canada. As such, she is an avid advocate of mental health and is fascinated by all things psychology (especially if it’s cognitive psychology!).
Her previous work experience includes teaching toddlers to read, writing for a travel/wellness online magazine, and then a business news blog. These combined experiences give her the skills and insights she needs to explain complex ideas in a succinct way. Being the daughter of an immigrant and a traveler herself, she is passionate about educating expats and digital nomads on travel and international health insurance.
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