When you’re a freelance business owner, you don’t have the responsibility of showing up at a traditional office location every day. Someone who has not tried this before might think it a barrier to productivity—but this is not the case!
We asked the Upwork Facebook community where they work when they want to be the most productive. Though some freelancers prefer a more typical office environment and rent space in coworking locations, the majority say they get the most done when they work from home—having created an in-home office space complete with rules for friends and family. Still others have more interesting preferences to keep motivation and energy high.
One thing is for certain: Freelancers love having the ability to work wherever they want, the flexibility that comes with being their own boss, and the freedom it gives them to spend more time doing the things they love.
The case for working from home:
“I am most productive when I am in the home, but as a husband with two kids, I am always faced with distraction from my kids and that prompted me to prepare a special workroom in the house. When I am there, the entire family knows ‘Dad is busily working on something.’ I usually spend about three to four hours actively working there and occasionally come back to the living room to play with the kids when I feel tired. I enjoy working [from home] because you are always with your family.”
— Mensah Kontoh Stephen
“I am at my most productive when I’m working at my home office. I love to close the door and turn the music on with high volume to boost my creativity—of course, with the help of caffeine on the side. That way, I am more focused on what I’m doing without any distraction. Cheers! Happy Working!”
— Armanjosh Lim
“I am most productive when I am in my bedroom/home office. I can wear whatever I want, let my hair loose or tie it up, I don’t have to wear make-up and, in short, [I have] less preparations. I can get up from bed and work straight on my projects. I don’t have to worry about anything except for my dog. He’s actually the one who [will] remind me that it’s mealtime or snack time.”
— Joyce Diana
“I am most productive at home. Working while seeing my family and knowing that I can hug them whenever I want is one of my motivation. Whenever I feel I’m getting tired, I can easily grab my son and hug him. They are my power outlet!”
— Tin Paulo
The case for working away from home:
“I am most productive when working at coffee shops or at any other public place with tolerable noise. I honestly believe that my home office is my comfort zone and being ‘constantly’ within your comfort zone may not actually increase your productivity. In fact, due to the coziness of the home environment, there is a high tendency to just relax and procrastinate. Moreover, there are more distractions at home that mostly are beyond your control such as the dogs barking or any of your family members interacting with you.
“[When you work away from home], the tolerable noises keep you awake and your interaction with other people is at your own choosing. Changing your working environment sometimes, or at any given time, will likely increase your productivity since a new environment encourages new creativity, or it at least renews your energy.”
— Michelle Suarez-Delos Santos
“Where am I when I’m most productive? I can be anywhere! For me productivity shouldn’t be much affected by your environment, for the reason that we freelancers stay in the online world. I am most productive when I am motivated and inspired, [whether] it be at home, in a coffee shop, in the park, at the beach or at the middle of a forest. A better question could be what keeps me motivated or inspired? Seeing myself reaching my goals and dreams in life with the help of Upwork keeps me motivated and inspired.”
— Merry Kristine Ferrer
“I am most productive anywhere that I can be able to work, as long as there is a good Internet connection! I can complete tasks even at the airport, while waiting for my time to check in, or at the beach [during] a family outing! This is what I love most with Upwork, I can work without limits, anywhere at any time! No stress.”
— Hilco Neda
“Coworking spaces, especially when combined with coliving for a few weeks. Being surrounded by others, yet concentrating on your own projects, and the inspiration from being in a new place…I do this 3-5 weeks at least 3-4 times a year, and those are by far my most productive weeks.”
— Thalassa van Beek
“I tell my friends and family it’s at home… but it’s really in my car parked in front of a cafe so I can [use] their wifi, or at the lake. I get so many calls and appointments done. Then I can go back home and get my retouching done. I love my Rav4 car seat, it’s so comfy. [I say] ‘I’m in my satellite office today.’ Aka, my car.”
— Ann Margaret Tapia
“The library. There’s nothing like an Arizona tea, sunflower seeds, Pandora radio, and five hours of no interruption. You’d be surprised how much work gets done. I love it!”
— Nikki Lee
“Any working environment is okay with me so long as I am comfortable working with my clients doing the job I love. If you love your job, work places won’t matter to you. But if you hate it, no matter how clean, comfortable, and fancy your working environment is, you’ll never ever be productive to whatever task you’re into. Love your work first before your workplace.”
— Endearing Joshent
Where do you get the most work done? Tell us in the comments!
Editor’s note: Responses edited for grammar, spelling, and clarity. The statements above are those of their authors and do not constitute the views or opinions of Upwork.
The post The Most Productive Locations for Remote Work appeared first on Upwork Blog.
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