Cafés are a popular place for people to enjoy themselves, socialise, and relax. They have also gained popularity among some as a very good spot to work from. In fact, people who work away from an office – that is remotely — prefer the atmosphere of cafés to their own home. Working from a café can have lots of benefits. For instance, you don’t have to worry about falling asleep as you can order a cup of coffee instantly, or you might even find new friends. Having said that, there are certain tips to follow when working remotely from a café.

1. Pick Your Café Carefully

*Photo by Best Picko on Flickr

One of the main benefits of working remotely is that you don’t have to commute to your place of work, spending several hours driving or walking. Not only does commuting take a lot of your energy, but it will also consume a lot of your time – a time you could instead focus on your work. 

Now, if you want to work from a café, it is a good idea to find one as close to your place of living as possible. In fact, it is no longer working remotely if it takes an hour just to get to the café.

Besides that, pay attention that the café you choose has proper seating, good Wi-Fi access, and plenty of electrical outlets to plug in your laptop or tablet.

2. Avoid Speaking Loudly

If you have found a good café, suitable for remote workers, there is a chance you are sharing the café with a number of other people who are just like you, trying to do their job there. That is why you need to be careful about their peace of mind and respect their privacy. Here are some tips:

• Try not to speak loudly on your phone.
• If you need to have a phone call, it is better to leave the café and return when you are finished.
• Put your mobile on silent mode so as not to cause extra distraction for others.
• If you are listening to music or someone’s webinar, don’t rely on your speakers and have your headphones on.

3. Have a Specific Place to Sit

When you choose a place to sit for the first time, there is a chance you will sit there again the next time you come back. It is just natural that you will get used to a spot and feel comfortable there.

Also, the seating you choose will depend on the kind of work you do and the personality traits you have. If you need concentration, it is better to sit where you have as little distraction as possible. If you like socialising, however, sitting in a busy area sounds like a good idea. Also, make sure the spot you choose is laptop-friendly, has a suitable electrical outlet and the Wi-Fi connection is reachable.

4. Take Regular Breaks

Taking short breaks from working is the key to productive work. With breaks, you will not be feeling fatigued, and thereby your focus and creativity will increase. Too many breaks, however, is not good at all.

One thing that may make taking breaks difficult while working from the café is the fear of losing your belongings. In fact, someone may unplug your laptop, or try to steal your spot. However, taking a short break to grab a coffee or drink some water won’t hurt much. You can also do some short stretches without getting out of your seat.

5. Learn the Café’s Rules and Regulations

Every café has its own rules. For example, some cafés may not allow you to stay longer than usual, or there might be some time limit on how long you can stay there. Most cafés also expect you to at least order a drink.

While working remotely from the café, you will most probably need Wi-Fi access. The café might have rules regarding the Wi-Fi, not allowing you to have access for more than some hours, and there might be even some download limit.

It is good to know the rules like the ones mentioned above beforehand and select a café with rules that suit you the most.

6. Have Your Tools Ready

*Photo by Neo_II on Flickr

To ensure your day at the café is as productive as possible, you need to gear up and bring all the tools. The tools of remote working most likely include your laptop, its charger, headphones, and perhaps even your mobile phone. You may need to bring an external hard drive, a notebook, and some pens or pencils, too.

Depending on how long you are going to be working, you probably want to keep your energy level up. So, how about some snacks or sandwiches just to take during your break? Also, make sure you have finished all the home errands before coming to the café, so you can focus entirely on your work.

7. Plan Your Time and Set Limits

Your own work schedule, as well as the café’s regulations and working hours, are very important in order to know how long you can work there. In this regard, you need to also come prepared. Know the hours of the café and how much work you have to do beforehand, and set an agenda of what you want to do in what amount of time.

Don’t forget to be flexible as there might be something unplanned happening in the café or some unexpected noise. Have a good understanding of the place’s limits and those of your own to make the best of your time in the café.

8. Don’t Leave Your Laptop Unattended

*Photo by go digital on Flickr

There is always a danger someone may come and steal your laptop if it is left on its own. However, in a good café with surveillance cameras and other customers’ attention, this is very unlikely. 

Still, your laptop is full of important information you don’t want anyone to have access to. After all, it is a personal device. So, it is essential that you notify a trusted person if you want to leave your laptop unattended for a while. Also, make sure you put it on sleep mode with a proper password, not to make it easily accessible. The same goes with other electronic devices and even personal tools you bring to the place.

9. Build a Good Rapport with Other Regulars

When staying in a café, you are sharing a space with many other people like you. They might also be there to work remotely. When you become a regular in a café, you will gradually get to know other regulars too, and in this way, you can build a friendship that can last as long as you are there.

Who knows where such rapports may lead? You may find a lot more in common and build stronger relationships, have drinks together and even go hiking. Moreover, you will have someone to rely on in case you want to leave your laptop or other tools to take a break or make a phone call.

10. Be a Good Customer

While working from a café, you are still a customer for the owner of the place, and as such, try to be a very good one. Here are some tips to follow:

• Treat the staff with respect and build a good relationship with them.
• Keep the place clean and tidy.
• Always buy something, even if just water or a cup of coffee.
• Leave some tips for the waiters.
• Don’t speak loudly and be mindful of others’ privacy.

Work Remotely in Knighton’s Internet Café

The Internet café at The Knighton Hotel is open to all locals and visitors who search for a peaceful place to do their work. The place provides free Wi-Fi access, and the menu contains a rich variety of hot drinks and snacks offered at affordable prices. The cream tea is also served between 2 and 5 pm. The staff are friendly and knowledgeable, and services such as printing are also available.