The Office Days Are Over
When I was in college, I hated studying in the library. The silence sent me into mental tangents and daydream states but some of my friends said it was their ideal spot for studying. Why should we have to work in settings, which undermine our focus, productivity or put us to sleep? Office alternatives have been increasing during the covid-19 pandemic since many people opt to work from home. Writing emails on a beach in Hawaii is more likely to reduce job stress and improve employee satisfaction. Employers want workers to be as industrious as possible so it makes sense that many companies are stepping away from the traditional cubicle set up. With tools such as Zoom, Slack, Calendly and Hootsuite, all an employee needs is a laptop, WiFi and AirPods. In San Francisco, successful businesses such as Canopy and Wework have made it their mission to create unique work settings for their members.
Our environment greatly impacts our productivity. Psychological studies have found that extroverts prefer to work with background noise, while introverts enjoy the peace and quiet of a more traditional setting. Sometimes when I write, I put on music or a TV show that I’ve seen before because the noise helps me concentrate. If I can look at a nice view or be outside while writing then I rarely experience writer’s block. Ideas come to mind easily because if I get stuck I can observe what’s around me. While some people would find working outside very distracting, I enjoy the sounds of the world around me.
A beautiful skyline view.
As long as there’s an animal, a standing desk and a cup of tea next to me I can write for several hours, losing track of time. A workspace often operates as a placebo because it tells me I need to put my head down and pay attention to the task at hand. Occasionally I’ll stand at my desk, with a cup of coffee, the window open and some instrumental music playing but still unable to zero in on the job I need to do. Perhaps the mental component plays a larger role than our surroundings?
Haruki Murakami explains in his book, What I Talk About When I Talk About Running, that people commonly assume that all it takes to write a book is the strength to pick up a coffee mug. But it takes a lot more than a caffeine boost to be productive. And when it comes to a standard workspace, which mirrors the set of the sit-com The Office, it’s not enough to inspire critical thinking or creativity.
Extreme examples of an alternative workplace are most tech companies. A few years ago I had the chance to tour Google’s office in Mountain View. Whoever designed these rooms wanted to ensure that every single employee may have their needs met as if to make it their second home. For some the free food, fluffy pillows and brightly colored walls may be distracting, but others thrive in this environment. If I had the choice I’d code in a tropical climate next to an Olympic sized swimming pool rather than the headquarters of a company built by a Pavlov enthusiast.