I get my best work done at airports
On a recent trip to Michigan I mentioned to a colleague that I do my best work in airports or airplanes. I'm focused, I'll stay awake long past the feeling of heavy eyelids, I feel a flood of motivation and my ideas are more creative than usual. It got me thinking about how our day-to-day environments can become an energy trap rather than an atmosphere that allows you to "get things done". Is it simply the change of scenery that I enjoy, or is the noisy space a particularly powerful stimulant for me?
Interestingly enough, a cramped, noisy airplane or airport lounge is absent of the top elements cited in the scientific literature on "productive spaces". Psychology and neuroscience say the following things are the cornerstones of a positive work space:
High ceilings and plentiful windows
Green plants
Rounded edges on furniture
A space customized by you (rather than one you cannot alter)
Variable lighting for different activities (blue/green light for idea generation, red for attention to detail, bright light for analytical tasks, etc)
For those of you who travel often, and aren't as happy as I am to call the airport or airplane your "office" for the day, here are some ideas to improve the experience:
Noise cancelling headphones-- a pretty obvious choice if you prefer to control what you hear.
Find the "juice"-- there's nothing worse than having to move camp once you get on a roll due to a drained battery, so plug in. For less than $10 you can find a portable battery to give devices a boost on the go.
Make friends-- did you know first class travelers get a free plus one? The lounge offers a more productive space than the chaos of the departure gate. Meeting other travelers is not just interesting, but includes the fringe benefit of practicing your elevator pitch. Who are you? What do you do? You'll likely never see this person again so use this as a confidence builder.
Be reasonable-- if trips stress you out then don't try to finish that big presentation in transit. Instead, tackle that Inbox, clean your Desktop (surely I'm not the only one who uses it as a dumping ground), send those lower priority emails you've been putting off. The point here is know yourself, and get the right work done for that environment.
I have my own theories on why I can be so much more productive and think in more creative ways during travel. I believe it has the most to do with being smack dab in the middle of the introversion/extroversion scale. I draw my energy from my surroundings, and for me the exposure to so much hustle and bustle has a positive effect on my ability to synthesize new ideas. When I come home from a trip I typically crash for a day and need time alone to recharge and process whatever I've just taken in (hello introvert!).
I'm always interested to hear what else helps you be more productive, whether at home or on the road. Happy travels!
