Thinking of Taking Your Work Outside? Read This First!

It’s the time of the year when you’re sitting in your office, looking out the window and dreaming about floating on the blue water of an infinity swimming pool after an early morning run into the sunrise. Your mind drifts to a cool drink in the left hand, your phone in the right hand answering some calls and emails and thinking about the next groundbreaking idea for your project. Silence, chill, positive vibes.

Summer season is outdoor season

Your Instagram pic will look hip but, realistically, is outside working ideal?

So, what’s the truth about using the good summer vibes and taking your work outside?

Environment affects performance

As a passionate athlete, I know that environment affects our performance. The world around us can make a difference – be it the colleagues in your football team, the training center or the locker rooms. The same goes for your work environment. If you feel comfortable, well equipped and inspired, your performance will go up, your creativity kicks in and you’re ready for the next business gig.

But neither athletes nor business pros choose an environment just because it is fancy. They choose it because they want to create perfect conditions for achieving their top performance.

Hot days, chilly space

When the sun burns and the sky is cloudless, your office walls can stifle your motivation and inspiration, making it time for a location change.

I tested four different outdoor work spots on a hot summer day that would best suit my tasks and goals for the day.

Everyone’s a creator, you just need to trigger ideas in your head. What’s better than looking at moving and peaceful water on a hot summer day? For my last brainstorm, I chose to put my feet in the water and focus on this chilly moment, cleaning my mind and generating ideas for a new concept from scratch.

Weather: 25° in the shade, sunny, some clouds. Water temperature: 18°.

Requirements: An environment that triggers creativity, some distractions so you don’t get stuck after the first idea, paper, pen. No smartphone!!!

My rating: 4 out of 5 ‘thumbs up’.

My tips: I unplugged myself and brought a watch with an alarm with me to keep track of the time. Bring a towel to sit on to avoid a sore bum and dry your feet afterwards. Use your breaks to walk around, enjoy the scenery and avoid hitting a brick wall. Don’t forget your sunglasses and something to drink.

We at adidas work on a great, inspiring campus with lots of sports facilities and green areas, but from time to time the buzz of a crowded coffee shop or a vibrant city scene is what I need to put me in the shoes of our target audience. Working in the heart of the city makes me change perspectives and pulls me out of the bubble.

Weather: 26° in the shade, sunny.

Requirements: Laptop with internet connection and network access, availability via mobile, notebook, pen, some privacy for confidential emails and calls.

My rating: 4 out of 5 ‘thumbs up’.

My tips: Look for a shady table, where nobody can look at your screen and where you can also do some calls in private. Choose a location with highspeed WIFI and healthy drinks and food. Have a salad for lunch to avoid a mid-afternoon dip. I changed locations just before lunch to get moving and refresh my mind and body.

Facing a major afternoon slump? Feeling lazy, but with an inbox full of emails? Stop the office work and find energy in a sporty environment. Why not go for a short run on the track or juggle some balls on the football field before kicking off the last third of your work day right at the sports location?

Weather: 25° in the shade, cloudy.

Requirements: Laptop with internet connection and network access, availability via mobile.

My rating: 5 out of 5 ‘thumbs up’.

My tips: Bring a fresh shirt or track top to put on after your mini sports session to avoid getting cold if you’ve sweated.

What experience do you have in taking your office outside?
I’d love to hear about it in the comments below.