We all have our favorite spots to cram in some work during the day time, and even night owls have locations that get that warm and fuzzy feeling. But how do you know when you need to pack up and find a new spot in your local scene?

Change can be good for your creativity and to keep you alive and aware. Getting dormant in many of our careers can stunt our growth or cause us to get into a routine that is no different from being in an office all day tied to a cubicle.

So, with that in mind, here are 5 situations that may be a trigger to take your name off your reserved table and explore.

1. Your food is at your table every morning just before you arrive, yet you didn't call ahead. Have you become such a regular that you not only come in every morning to bust out a few mobile TPS Reports, but you also order the same bagel, cream cheese and coffee concoction without fail that the girl behind the counter can put it at your spot without worry that you might change your mind? Getting a new location might do you some good. New food, new view and new outlook can impact your work, no matter what field you work in.
   
   
2. You knock out designs, ask you workshifting buddies to take a look, and then you see a Tweet to one of their clients (that you pitched!!) with your look and feel. Having neighbors help with creative input, lending ideas and crowdsourcing is one thing. Stealing designs and clients is another. Even if the coffee rocks and the waitress is cute, its time to find a new workspot.
   
   
3. You notice the boyfriend of said cute waitress has been coming in reguarly, sitting next to you watching your every move. No need to start a friendly game of "my coffee is hotter than yours." You are there to work, not get distracted. Hit the road and find a new spot.
   
   
4. The people no longer interest you. One of the main reasons I frequent my local shops is to get some inspiration from the vibe and the people that make up that vibe. Seeing people's emotions, their moods and manners feed into me and the projects that I am working on at the time. When that energy is no longer there, its time to move on.  It can also be fun to people watch and look for "that guy" at the coffee shop. :)
   
   
5. When your WiFi costs more than coffee. It doesn's matter how good the coffe, or the muffin or the sandwiches are, when your WiFi bill starts getting 3 digits long, something needs to change. I am all for throwing in tips to support the access, but man, o, man, we need the insanity to stop. Heck even McDonalds is starting to offer WiFi and their McCafe isn't half bad.

In all seriousness, finding a great location albeit for checking morning email or cranking out a full day's schedule, you need to find a place that offers comfort and an ambiance that is conducive to your personal style.  As long as you can continue to grow your business, or increase productivity, find a great local spot, treat the staff like gold and move on when productivity gets stagnant.

So what about you? What are some reasons that you have jumped from spot to spot to get into a better state to get your work done? Share in the comments.

Photo by: cafemama

The other day as I sat in a Me & Ollie's Cafe enjoying a sandwich and trying to get some writing done on the fly, I had an encounter with a Space Hog. You've seen That Guy. Heck, you may have even been That Guy once or twice. Space Hogs make the concept of workshifting a hard sell when trying to get more places to offer WiFi and outlets for us.

What does a real Space Hog look like in the wild? He's the one sitting at a nice six top or a booth big enough for a family of seven. He brought a portable printer, his iPod, his laptop, his cell phone and bluetooth headset, reams of paper for the printer, and a stack of folders a mile high. His extension cord and laptop bag or suitcase (no, I am not kidding) often are placed in the center of the aisle, impeding traffic.

What is mister oh-so-important doing? He is nursing a cup of $1.50 coffee while sitting there all day, feeling entitled to take up that much space for that many hours because he "ordered something". Generally he is yelling loudly into his cell phone, annoying the nice grandma seated at the two-top next door. He's also uploading his Power Point masterpiece while downloading the entire Michael Jackson discography from his favorite torrent site, because he is so proud to be a "multi-tasker", and oblivious to the impact on the bandwidth for other workshifters trying to get things done.

Are you aware of your impact on other patrons and on businesses while workshifting? Sure, there is argument to be made that workshifters bring in business to otherwise struggling establishments in times of a down economy, but we can also drive business away if we aren't careful. Obnoxious workshifters are the reason some places still refuse to jump on the workshifting-friendly bandwagon.

Things to watch out for:

1. Length Of Stay: Restaurants and coffee houses thrive most with high table turnover. The more rotating butts in the seats, the better the income - the more meals they sell, the more money they make in tips and profits. Be aware of how long you sit. If you know in advance that you may need a 6 hour stay because your home office is being painted - ask. That simple courtesy often gets you the green light from the manager or owner. In general, two hours is a good limit for both getting work done and not imposing.
   
   
2. Table Choice: This one should go without saying, but I see it often enough I must mention it. If there is just one person workshifting, you need to choose a table for one. Period. End of story. If your gear won't fit at a one or two top when you are solo, you need to rethink your gear. Spreading out over a larger table means a larger party can not sit there, and is quite rude.
   
   
3. Volume Control: Another one that should go without saying. If you are on the phone in a public place, lower your voice. Even better, take the call outside. I realize you may not want to leave your expensive laptop unattended, so just be aware of how your call is affecting the people around you. There is no need to shout. If you are someone who has a voice that carries even when you whisper, cupping your hand around your mouth a bit, or sitting around a corner for a little buffer also helps lower the volume.
   
   
4. Don't Be A Bandwidth Hog: Not all cities have public WiFi and WiMax. Some don't even have adequate broadband infrastructure. Not only that, establishments are paying for the bandwidth you use in many cases. Public computer use is not the time to upload several video files to YouTube or download large movie and music files. It makes the bandwidth sluggish for other workshifters and people there to do homework and such as well.
   
   
5. Buy Something: Seriously. Buying one cup of brew coffee for under $2 and not tipping doesn't justify an extended stay. Support the businesses letting you work where you want by making a purchase and tipping well. You don't like it when certain people come stay at your house for weeks on end, freeloading and not contributing, do you? Then don't freeload at your local businesses.
   

If you increase your awareness of how your workshifting interactions affect others around you and the establishments you frequent, workshifting will be a much easier sell to businesses who have yet to jump on the WiFi and accessible bandwagon. Also, you'll just plain be easier to be around, and avoid being That Guy - and we all want that.

Photo by: jaydoubleyougee