I wrote last month about working from home.  I am a huge advocate of working from home as a way for businesses to save expenses.  I also enjoy the convenience and flexibility that my home office affords me.  That said, a change is as good as a holiday, and getting out to work in a new environment can be stimulating.

5 Ways to Get Out of the Home Office

Shake Hands

Schedule in some networking events.  A great way to meet other business people networking events can provide a great source of support, interaction and new contacts.   I try to go to at least 2 events each month.

Be That Person in the Coffee Shop

It used to be that the person huddled over a laptop in a coffee shop was an anti-social loner struggling to complete a script or novel and viewed as somewhere between pretentious and sadly delusional.  Ah, how times have changed.  Now it’s not only acceptable to set up your laptop at your local coffee shop, but with most offering free WiFi it can be difficult to get a good spot!  Go early, and tip well to butter up the staff and ensure you don’t outstay your welcome.

Strangely, while the slightest noise in my office will distract me from strategy plans and campaign work, I do my best creative writing surrounded by the buzz of a coffee shop.

Work on the Go

Usually, this type of out-of-office experience is only undertaken under duress, but I actually enjoy working on planes, trains and automobiles.  I read, plan, edit and write on journeys.  When I was at university, I even used to hop on a bus and just ride around the city reading my text books to get me out of the house.

Share a Space

Renting a desk in a shared office is becoming increasingly popular as micro-businesses, remote working and freelancing jobs boom.  Locate a space near you on sites such as Desks Near Me. Office facilities vary, but some offer a receptionist, meeting rooms, wifi, copy services and coffee machines.

As well as the added amenities, shared offices let you spend time around other like minded business people.

Meet Clients on Site

Many home workers have a client roster that they have never met.  If you work remotely for clients all around the globe, try to land a few local contracts and take a more traditional approach to meetings.  Visit their premises or arrange to meet them for lunch to discuss the project.

Take time to get outside of your home office from time to time, stretch your social muscles and get a fresh perspective.