The Essential Guide to Getting Stuff Done at the Airport

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  • September 20, 2019

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Working in an airport isn’t the most ideal situation, but if you’re a business traveler you know all too well how setting up virtual office there is necessary sometimes. Here’s how to get more done.

Ah, the airport—a space we all seem to be in a love-hate relationship with. It offers nice things: wine bars, cute restaurants, and fancy stuff at the duty-free store. But it also has drawbacks: security, crowds, and confusing layouts that seem designed to make you miss your flight.

And anyone who has spent lots of time in airports has probably faced the greatest airport love-hate relationship of all: that of trying to get stuff done.

On the one hand, airports offer large swathes of time, free Wi-Fi, and multiple sources for coffee refills. On the other hand, you’re often tired, stressed, and easily distracted by the swarms of people around you.

Is the airport a great place to work, or is it a remote-work hellscape? The answer can be a little bit of both, depending on the moment—but you can make your time there more productive without sacrificing your sanity. Here’s what you should know.

How Much Can You Really Get Done at the Airport?

The first step to getting stuff done at the airport: manage your expectations.

Anyone can accomplish things at the airport, whether you’re a full-time remote worker or just someone with emails to reply to and online shopping to do. However, you need to be realistic about what you can accomplish there.

As a frequent traveler with a long layover, for example, you might feel like it’s reasonable to put in a full day’s work at the airport. However, very few people can work in an airport with the same level of focus and stamina that they can elsewhere. This isn’t the time to tackle a full normal workday or aim for inbox zero.

For one thing, you’re surrounded by distractions: loud children, noisy announcements, and the hustle of people going by will make it hard to immerse yourself in work. And for another, the airport offers countless variables that could make things even harder.

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Source : The Essential Guide to Getting Stuff Done at the Airport