Is the coffee shop, your home, or your office the most productive place to work? We weigh up the pros and cons.

The world is a completely different place from what it was even 10 years ago. With the widespread use of technology, mobile devices, internet and wifi, the modern employee can work from anywhere in the world. In fact, many people are starting to realise that different settings and conditions are productive for different people (and for different reasons).

Of course, many jobs can’t be done remotely. Doctors can't do surgeries from home using a robot yet, and  local teachers still have no choice but to teach in the classroom. But if you’re in the tech or information industry, your projects can be completed any place anytime.

We have reached an era where we are able to choose where we prefer to conduct our labour. You have to ask yourself, ‘Which setting is most productive for me?' 

Here are the pros and cons of three very different environments, the office, your home, and a coffee shop.

Your Home

On first thought, working from home sounds wonderful. Yes, you can work in your PJs but on second thought, how much self-discipline do you actually have?

Pros

• Get comfortable by wearing whatever you want. Hello PJs!

• Say bye bye to traffic and all the stress that comes with dodging inconsiderate taxi drivers.

• You'll never be late for work again.

• You'll never have to rush to work again.

• In fact, all your time is your own since there's no clock-in/clock-out time. You can work at a healthy pace.

• You can personalise your desk space - and whole office setup - like never before.

• You will save a lot of money: No lunch, no overpriced coffee, no travelling costs, and no office gifting.

• There's no one to break your concentration or productivity flow.

• Absolutely no chance of being micromanaged.

• You’re always comfortable. Lay on the floor, work on the couch, sit on the roof. Whatever, be comfy.

• You do not have to use a public rest room.

Yep, that life sounds great. But there are a few things you're forgetting...

Cons

• There's no IT department. Any technical issues might take longer to resolve.

• Since your home is the office, you're always at the office. The line between work time and personal time becomes blurred.

• It becomes too easy to work strange hours and also during the weekend.

• Too much time in isolation can be unhealthy. Ever heard of cabin fever?

• 'Outside noises' from your roomies or family members can be distracting and annoying.

• It requires a massive amount of self-discipline. Besides the comfy bed and TV, doing the dishes and other chores has never ever been more tempting.

If the risk that you'll never get anything done at home on your own is too big, then perhaps it is best that you rather surround yourself with people who have the same objective. And it's no secret where you can find that...

The Office

The CEO of Yahoo! has put a stop to her employees' telecommuting arrangements. She has acknowledged that people are more productive when they're alone but for the sake of collaboration and innovation, people should be together to share and combine ideas.

Pros

• Real life interaction with co-workers builds team spirit.

• It's easier and faster to find solutions to common problems together.

• Sharing ideas, short cuts and new methods means you'll learn a lot.

• Productive people are contagious. They'll inspire you to keep up.

• You get immediate feedback - no delay in waiting for an email reply. You can walk right over, get what you need, and complete your task.

• Decisions are reached faster.

• Sometimes your co-workers can become your friends. Having a social life outside of work is healthy.

• Having a schedule and healthy work habits (even ones who force you to stick to work hours) are conducive to productivity.

• Leaving your home every morning puts you in 'work mode' already. Your mindset is focussed on achieving x amount of goals before the work day ends.

Keeping all of the above in mind, the kind of environment and distractions you're exposed to at the office could hinder your productivity as well.

Cons

Sometimes the office is anything but productive.

• If your commute to work is always stressful, you'll arrive to work in a less-than-pleasant mood often.

• There are too many unnecessary (and unnecessarily long) meetings.

• Your co-workers could be very annoying.

• Office gossip and politics can become over bearing.

• Your desk set-up could be uncomfortable and unhealthy. And work chairs usually suck.

• Cubicles, walls and no windows. The office space is bland, boring and uninspiring.

• Office rules can make one feel smothered.

• Having to be professional every day for most of the day can be exhausting.

• That nagging feeling you have each day, counting down the seconds to 5pm.

Okay, so maybe the office isn't the ideal productivity haven either. Which is exactly why many professionals spend their work days in an environment that seems to provide the best of both worlds...

A Coffee Shop

It doesn't have the isolation and time-warp that comes with working from home, and it doesn't have the constantly complaining co-worker in a stifling strict office environment either.

Pros

• Free wifi!

• You are the master of your own time.

• You are the master of your productivity and work flow.

• Observing the hustle and bustle of real life is inspiring.

• The buzz and activity keeps you awake and alert.

• Great coffee.

• You're alone without actually feeling isolated.

• Possibility of brief social interaction when you need a breather.

• Great for networking. You never know who you might meet.

• It's always a relaxing environment.

Cons

• The quality of the wifi is out of your control.

• The risks involved with sharing a wifi signal

• Lack of security: you'll have to be vigilant and always know where your gadgets are.

• Using the bathroom means you have to pack up your stuff and carry it with you. Every single time.

•You'll be sitting for hours with limited mobility.

• You have to hope you arrive in time to get a great spot near a power outlet. Is your seat comfy?

• Crowds can sometimes get rowdy if it gets full.

• The chance of an unexpected run-in with a familiar face could result in a long chat. Stealing time from doing any work.

• If you forget anything you have to leave and come back.

• The barista could be intimidating or make you uncomfortable. How much must you buy to stay? This could get expensive after all...

So what’s best for you?

If you're able to and your boss allows it, you should get the best of all three worlds by alternating your work space. Commit to work in the office more often than not to reap the benefits of interpersonal collaboration, and alternate between the perfect coffee joint a few hours each week to get inspired, and maybe a day or two at home every so often to concentrate on a single project. 

To get the most out of your work day, follow these productivity hacks to minimise the risks of a burn out. Or, get a new boss who appreciates employees with one of Careers24's many vacancies.