Working from home is tough. There are a lot of distractions that pull you away from your work—or, there are too few, and you just really miss the buzz of being around people. Enter the so-called “third space.” This is a public area, like a café, a library, or a shared workspace. Follow along as two people spend the day working in two different third spaces: a coffee shop and a WeWork location.
Leaving the apartment for the day
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Your day starts the same as every other: Pack your stuff and head out the door.
Getting fuel and a seat
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Get in line for a $6 latte and try to hold on to your seat at the café. At WeWork, on the other hand, settle in with a bottomless mug of Lavazza coffee (or another beverage) for free. You’ll have your choice of a variety of seating options and common areas to set you up for success for the day.
Finding some privacy
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In a café, you may need to shout on your business call to be heard over the din. At WeWork, simply grab a phone booth or a conference room to take calls in a quiet, private space.
What’s the WiFi password?
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Unreliable WiFi? Goodbye. Find speedy and secure WiFi in every WeWork space—some even have ultra-fast 5G. Printers are one of those things you don’t realize you need until you need one. Every WeWork location has printers for just this situation. Working in a café? Your best bet is to find a printer in another shop nearby.
Gathering the team
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Ask your team to pull up a chair around a crowded table at the café. Or, get some elbow room and work together productively by checking out a conference room or any other open, collaborative space at WeWork.
Celebrating the day’s end
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Done for the day? You can leave work behind feeling tired after sitting in the same chair all day, or you can feel energized and motivated after being in a purposefully designed space that allows you to do your best work.
Ivan Ehlers is a writer and cartoonist in Los Angeles.
Rethinking your workspace?