By David Reed, President of Remote Office Consulting, LLC

Working from home can be great, especially if you are disciplined and can complete tasks on schedule without someone having to keep you motivated.  I enjoy the benefits of having an office in my home, but also face one of the major challenges common to many telecommuters.  I can get bored staying in the same place everyday!  I am a social individual and enjoy interacting with co-workers and clients. 

That is why I have located several places where I can go and work while enjoying a change of scenery and some company.  I still spend a lot of time in my office, but having the alternate work locations has really helped me maintain my productivity.  There is a growing trend to be able to find wireless internet in many buildings and restaurants.

Everyone has a different situation depending on the community where you live and work.   Here are a few ideas to consider when looking for your alternate remote worksite.

1. Public Library.  Many towns and suburbs have nice libraries with wireless internet access.  In addition to it being a quiet place to work and concentrate, there is often a variety of resources including access to media that may be difficult to locate at home.
2. Church.  The church where I belong in Plano, Texas has an open area called "Main Street."  It is a very nice facility with tables and chairs and wireless internet.  There are a handful of people like myself who call it their remote office.  There is access to a high quality food courtyard where we can grab breakfast, lunch or just coffee.
3. Restaurant.  There are several national restaurant chains, such as Panera Bread, where you can have a soft drink or meal while utilizing their wireless internet service.
4. Community Center.  If you live in an apartment complex, you probably have access to a common area such as a clubhouse.  Some suburbs or communities also have a public community center.
5. Parks.  Although I don't recommend it as a regular work location, on occasion, it is nice to get away from any walls and work at an area park, especially if you have access to a wireless internet card, or don't require it to complete your tasks.
6. Shared Office Suites.  If your employer is open to the idea, there are office buildings in some cities that have suites you can rent by the day when you need a formal place to work or meet with a client. 

Having a place to go when you hit a productivity wall at home can help get you back on track. 

You do not need to spend a majority of your time at one of the alternate work sites, but if you are able to spread your time out between a few options, it can make a difference.

As I mentioned in the last issue of this newsletter, one of the trends that will emerge following our current economic recession is an expansion of the number of independent contractors and telecommuting employees.  This could result in an expansion of shared office facilities as employees who don't have a suitable home office search for a place to provide their services to a variety of clients.