Workspace Choices for Remote Work [Comfy & Productive]

Ever hit a sticking point? A point where you cannot seem to get started, or work feels extra painful?  Try changing-up your workspace.  Refreshing your workspace can help boost your mood & productivity.

Fortunately, in Southeast Asia, you have way more options than you can imagine.  This is one of GemsOfTravel’s favorite perk of SE Asia!

So, don’t worry about finding a place to comfortably & productively work out of while in SE Asia.  An added plus 👍 – there will no winter blues, too – just lots of happy sunshine & vitamin D.

Places To Work (Workspaces)

We don’t need 1 perfect workplace, but a collection of several different options.  Rotate your workspaces when you need a change of scenery, or need something specific.

For many of us, at home or cafes are the top choices to work from.  Cafes are numerous, and are similar (or similar enough?) to co-working spaces.  Since they are so common, you have plenty of choice for a change of scenery – there are so many types of cafes.

( 1 ) At home – inside your hotel / room / apartment

( 2 ) Common areas @ your place of stay

*This includes the lobby, common hangout areas, conference rooms etc for tenant use at a hotel/condo/apartment.

( 3 ) Co-working spaces

FYI: Thedigitalnomad.asia has several “articles about Coworking Spaces in Asia“, including Coworking spaces in Malaysia, Thailand, Vietnam, Indonesia, Cambodia, and Philippines.

( 4 ) Cafes

( 5 ) Library

Workspace Preferences, Mood, & Aspects To Appreciate

Your (1) mood is a big factor when choosing a place to work from.  You’ll also consider: (2) the type of work you do, what you find (3) comfortable, your desire to (4) be alone versus social, and (5) cost / spending money.

Not every workspace ticks every single one of your preferences.  There are countless features & details to appreciate about a workspace – let’s explore them.

Do not feel like getting dressed? Feel like working -> napping -> working -> napping every 30 minutes?

-> This is your body telling you that you are most productive by staying at home.

Conversely, you may be in the mood to be part of a buzzing & stimulating atmosphere.

Sometimes, forcing yourself to get out of a dark room, and into a bright space is what you need to boost your mood.

Public (people around) versus private (alone).

This can be based all sorts of things, from (1) needing a place to meet a co-worker to (2) working privately with sensitive assignments.

Don’t forget the fun of people watching.

Or, maybe all you need is (3) a good conversation to keep your energy flowing and keep you working hard.

These things cannot be overlooked. And, sometimes, dressing-to-impress in public makes us feel better and boosts our mood.

Do you need internet while working? Do you need high speed & high bandwidth?

If your work can be done offline (or without super high-speed internet), then that opens up many workspace options.

If working on private or sensitive things/data, then you certainly need a workspace that provides privacy & security. If your work must abide by data protection laws such as European GDP&R, then this applies to you.

And, doing banking and other personal stuff in public is a no-no, especially over public [unsecured] WiFi.

In any case, you should be using a VPN and it’s DNS. Most paid VPNs will use their own DNS instead of the one provided by your SIM card (the telecom company, that is).

The term “mood lighting” is real – our lighting preference is based on our mood. Do you work better with a room full of bright lighting or in darkness? Perhaps a soft, yellow, light ‘hits the spot’.

Noise has a negative or positive affect on us.

Loud talking, obnoxious music playing, and lack of consideration of others in the public space does nothing but distract us. Can’t be working in that environment!

But, perhaps, the white noise and energy of a lively space can be the background force that pushes through tough tasks & deadlines. This is good noise.

A quiet space, the one where you can hear a pin drop, are best for that hyper-focused and in-depth thought type of work.

You’re going to get hungry while you are working, you know you are! Choosing a place to anchor down for several hours and not eat? Well, you should choose a place that has something appetizing and filling.

Get you some BRAIN FOOD. At minimum, pack a snack in your bag. You know, we like workspaces that are nearby places to eat. And even better, cafes and workspaces in which we can bring outside food, which is common in Vietnam. If they locals do it, then you can do it, too. In Vietnam, we watch patrons collecting food deliveries, delivered directly to the cafe doors.

Our favorite – atmosphere. Whether relaxing, a place with intensity to get things done, or a change of scenery… there’s so much to offer. Become a connoisseur of atmosphere – dive in, be engulfed in it, and work at a nice steady pace. Just keep the coffee at a slow and steady pace, too.