3 Reasons a Change of Scenery Makes You More Productive

BY TARYN JEREZ

When is the last time you felt like you knocked it out of the park when it came to your productivity? 

I’m sure you’ve heard of ways to get that boost of accomplishment in your day, like establishing a routine and eliminating distractions, but sometimes it’s something else holding you back entirely. 

As you work to achieve progress, the days can often begin to feel boring, monotonous and overall leave you unmotivated to do the work you set out to do. You may not have the most flexibility in your work schedule or daily routine, but there is one thing that can help to not only boost your productivity but keep life interesting and enjoyable. 

I want you to pause for a moment and think about the last time you had a change of scenery. When have you left your home office to work elsewhere? Can you recall the last time you brought your laptop to the park or took a conference call on the patio? Did your workspace receive any updates since the new year? When we make changing our scenery a priority, we are inadvertently making our productivity and overall happiness a priority as well.

Here are three reasons why!

#1: Gets Your Creative Juices Flowing

Sometimes you just feel stuck, right? There are moments where the cursor on that blank document or email draft just blinks back at you in a taunting way. What you might refer to as writer’s block could very well just be the need for a change of scenery to get back in touch with your creative side. Making a change to your existing office, even if it’s something as simple as the direction your desk is facing or adding an art print you love, can make a difference. Your brain needs to be stimulated in order to function at its full capacity and maintain your focus!  When your environment changes, it sparks something inside of you! Don’t be afraid to go a little deeper and invite your other senses to the party; light a scented candle, add a soft blanket to your chair, or open the windows to hear the birds chirping.

#2: Creates Change in Habits

Each passing day you spend in the same surroundings helps build habits that you may not even realize. While not all of these habits are negative, you may quickly notice that some things stick when you shake things up, while others disappear – specifically, certain external cues responsible for triggering certain habits. For example, let’s say that you work from the same kitchen table each morning and you hear your partner come downstairs and turn the television on. That may be your external cue that triggers your habit of getting up for a break to watch the morning news with them. Imagine now that you are working on the outside deck and away from ear’s reach of the television. You may keep hacking away at the project and have it done within the hour. The goal is to eliminate any unhealthy or distracting habits and introduce positive ones through that change of scenery you may need. 

#3: Boosts Your Mood and Motivation

 As humans, our environment matters a great deal. When we are uninterested in what’s around us or feel stagnant in our surroundings, that’s when our mental health can suffer, making it difficult to stay motivated or reap the rewarding feeling of accomplishment. Regardless if you are trying to tap into productivity for your job or personal projects, your mental health should always be a priority. When you start to feel distracted, lethargic, or are noticing time slipping away without anything to show for it, those are your red flags! Moving things outside for even a short time per day is proven to not only relax you but can boost your immune system, improve your memory and lend a hand in reducing mental fatigue! Adding a few personal touches to a workspace can make it a happier and healthier spot as well, so carve out time to place some special things around where you want to be the most productive.  Remember, you can’t expect to be productive when you aren’t happy and healthy. 

Here are a few ideas on how you can shake things up for a change of scenery:

     Rearrange your furniture

     Work outside for a few hours

     Move to a conference room to work solo

     Face your desk in a different direction

     Join a coworking space

     Paint an accent wall

     Tidy up your desk

     Stand up and walk around every hour

     Change out your artwork periodically

     Invest in a transitional standing desk

     Swap workspaces with a friend each week

     Alternate from desktop to laptop

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