Coffee Shops and Productivity

Are you really more productive when doing your work in a coffee shop? 

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The rich, warm aroma of coffee beans that filter through the air. Muffled chattering of conversations you’re trying not to get caught eavesdropping on. The gentle sway of music quietly humming away around you. It's the perfect environment to get your life back on track by getting some much needed work done. Isn’t it?

Recent research out of Belgium seems to suggest it may be. Psychology professors suggest that simply being in the presence of others who are working hard increase our own drive to work hard; essentially implying that mental effort is contagious. But is there more to it than that? Is it the scent of coffee that gives us a well-deserved kick in the rear to get our heads in the game? Perhaps it's the ambient collection that mega-corporation- I mean, popular coffeehouse- Starbucks provides as a soundtrack to their cafes that amplifies our productivity. Whatever it is, there is an abundance of research to confirm that working in a coffee shop most likely does boost our productivity and motivation levels.

But what does this mean for the scenarios where it’s quickly approaching midnight, your paper still hasn’t typed itself, and you just keep telling yourself “procrastination is linked to high-intelligence" and thats the only reason you’ve been putting off thinking about this deadline for the last three weeks? Of course, it’s always in these moments of sheer desperation, fuelled by a strong drive of procrastination that you absolutely simply cannot get to a coffee shop to sit down in. What do you do now?

For starters, I’d recommend taking a nice, refreshing shower. Stepping away from the computer screen even for a few minutes will give your eyes, and your mind, a chance to clear; I know I for one always get my best ideas and revelations while standing under the cascade of warm, soapy water. After the shower, its time to begin setting up your Imitation Coffee Shop.

Step one: brew your favourite coffee (or tea!), exactly as you like it best. Do you usually skip the extra spoonful of sugar because you’re attempting clean eating? Not today! You’re setting yourself up for success so you gotta go big or go home, baby!

Step two: clear your workstation while your coffee is preparing. Get rid of all that clutter. I see that faded, crumpled receipt from three months ago at the back of the desk. It’s time to go buddy. Even though you’re technically still at the same workstation, cleaning it up, or just rearranging it a little will make the space feel like a whole new environment.

• Alternatively; if you don’t have a desk, set yourself up at your kitchen table, or at another table-like surface in your living space. Try as best as you can to avoid working in your bed however, as this can decrease your quality of sleep and your overall productivity. 

Step four: get to work! Before you know it, you’ll slip into your groove, and your ideas will flow right out of your fingertips. You got this. 

Step three: throw on some headphones and tune into your favourite coffee shop ambience imitator. This will help further immerse you in your makeshift coffee shop. My favourite track is “University Undertones”, as it helps me envision an overflowing cafe full of barely awake college kids struggling through their mound of assignments. It’s a ridiculously comforting image.

There you have it! How to recreate a coffee shop experience in a pinch. That doesn’t sound so hard now does it? Next time you get the chance, head down to your local cafe, and try the coffee shop theory out for yourself! Are you struggling to even hear yourself think over the clamour of baristas shouting, chairs scraping, and milk wizzing; or is your work ethic and motivation being shot through the roof as you absorb the productive vibes through the cafe osmosis style?