The Secret to Remote Work Productivity? Get Out of the House.
Remote Work Secrets - Edition #37
What's Inside:
Why the co-working space you choose is doing more work than you think. The right environment is more than a perk, it's a productivity decision.
How remote workers are finding community in third spaces across Europe - without sacrificing focus or flexibility.
The spaces I’ve actually worked from and rated. Some recommendations from someone who's sat in them.
This Week's Remote Roles. Real remote roles for Senior Professionals.
There's a version of remote work that looks like staying in your pyjamas until noon, working from the sofa, and never seeing another human being in the flesh. Some people love that. Good for them.
But that really isn’t the case for most remote workers. At least not the ones who do it well.
Third spaces, the spots that aren't home and aren't a traditional office, have quietly become one of the most underrated tools in a remote worker's kit. And this summer, between bouncing around the UK, France and Bali, I've been reminded of exactly why.
Why Co-Working Spaces Actually Work
The magic is in the proximity. When you're surrounded by other people who are also working, focused, you can really get into it. The background hum helps. The change of scenery helps. Not being in your own head, in your own four walls, helps.
There's also something about committing to a space, even if it's a ten-minute walk from your place, that signals to your brain that work is actually happening today. The ritual of it matters more than people admit.
And beyond the productivity boost - you meet people. Real ones. I sat with other remote workers and asked them how they ended up here, what remote work actually looks like for them day to day, what they love about it, what they'd change, etc. They’re some of the most honest, sometimes funny, and occasionally surprising conversations I’ve had. I'll be sharing those on our Instagram, so follow us if you haven't already!
A Few Spaces Worth Knowing
This summer I've worked from a few places across Europe that I genuinely rate. Not trying to get into the sponsored listicle territory, just want to shout out some places I've actually sat in and got work done.
Podium, London
Slick, well-designed, easy to drop into. Central London without the chaos. The kind of space that takes itself seriously without being stuffy about it. If you're in the city and need a proper day away from the kitchen table, this one delivers on all fronts. Good light, good setup, does what it says on the tin. We even hosted our in person networking event here!
FBC Clerkenwell, London
A proper co-working community rather than just a desk-for-hire. There's a difference, and you feel it. Good energy, good coffee, and the kind of place where you might actually end up talking to someone interesting at lunch rather than eating a sad sandwich alone over your laptop. Clerkenwell is a great area to be in anyway, which helps.
Loft Galin, Bordeux
Where I'm writing this from, actually. A beautifully converted loft space in Bordeaux, France, with the kind of atmosphere that makes it genuinely hard to be unproductive. Good natural light, comfy sofa, a mix of people from all over, and the sort of quiet focus that's hard to manufacture. Ohhh and an open air pool too!! If you've ever thought about combining a work trip with a bit of European sunshine, I'd look at this one seriously. Two weeks in and I'm not ready to leave.
And If You're in Manchester...
I'd be doing you a disservice if I didn't mention Ministry of Work in Manchester, UK. Specifically for Founders- this converted church is as characterful as it sounds. High ceilings, serious atmosphere, the kind of space that makes you sit up a bit straighter without anyone telling you to. And they welcome you to bring your dogs in too!
Worth Knowing About: Othership 🏢
Finding a decent co-working space shouldn't require committing to a 12-month membership before you've even sat in the chair. Othership solves that.
It's a workspace finder that lets you browse and book co-working spaces, private offices, meeting rooms, cafes and hotels as and when you need them. No long-term contract, no faff. They've got spaces across the UK, US, Portugal, Germany and beyond, so whether you're working from home turf or somewhere new, it's worth a look.
For freelancers and remote workers especially, the flexibility of booking without a big financial commitment is exactly how it should work. Check them out at othership.com!
The Bigger Point
Remote work doesn't have to be synonymous with isolation. The freedom of it means YOU get to decide where you work from. Some days that's home. Some days it's a converted church in Manchester or a sun-drenched loft in France. The rebels who do this well figure out what environment brings out their best work and then they go and create that environment, wherever in the world they happen to be.
There's no one-size-fits-all. A warehouse-style co-working space in East London might be someone's dream and someone else's nightmare. The point is you get to choose.
If you've got a co-working space you swear by, leave a comment and let me know. Always looking for new recommendations!
This Week's Remote Roles
🎯Fully Remote Jobs (No "Fake Remote" Here):
Meet Your Next Remote Opportunity
Speaking of finding the right fit, the Remote Job Fair & Expo is happening in September. If you want to connect with companies that are genuinely, actually remote, this is the one. Not hybrid dressed up as remote. Not "flexible" with an asterisk. The real thing.
Stay Rebellious,
Michelle & The RR Team