How can you manage your time effectively when working in a café?
Managing your time effectively whilst working in fromcafe is a skill that needs to be learnt like time management in an office. It is similar, however, it does have differences that require practice and mindful application.
Time management in the office is very different from time management in a coffee shop.
There are three main differences between office time management and coffee shop time management are:
- Scope of work
- Unpredictable distractions
- Joe Public
The three ways that you can manage your time in a coffee shop are as follows:
Have a travel and set up plan: Knowing which coffee shop and how you are going to get there, will help you use your time more effectively as well as reduce your stress.
Additionally, having a plan for how you set yourself up for work would really help you manage your time.
For instance, knowing that you want to order a coffee and spend the first ten minutes reading a magazine before working each day helps to ensure that you create a positive working habit in
Have a clear work plan: ensure that before you head to the coffee shop, you have a clear destination of travel for your work. A clear plan and a clear set of tasks to do that are appropriate when working in a coffee shop.
Schedule breaks: Working in a coffee shop still means you need to take a break. working is still working even if it is surrounded by congenial chat and the aroma of a fresh cup of joe.
A great way to get a break whilst in a coffee shop can be to go outside (if they have outside seats) for five minutes and then come back inside and order another drink. This gives you a physical break from the seat, gives you the chance to have a social interaction and then allows you to get back to work.
Break the day up: Breaking the day up into 30-minute chunks with breaks to order coffee and step outside will give you a clear path to work on and will help you to focus as your need for a set period of time and allow you focus on the correct tasks you need to get done and not allow wim to take hold of your working day
Build in redundancy: Distractions and disturbances happen. Nothing can change this reality. So, build into your daily coffee shop time plan a certain amount of time that will be lost to talking with other customers and staff, maybe moving tables, helping old ladies to their seats, and maybe even meeting old friends you haven't seen for a while.
Coffee shop work: Have an appropriate set of tasks and a to-do list of items that are suitable for working in a coffee shop. This should include extra tasks if you can get through your work.
For instance, a three-hour work schedule in a coffee shop might look like this:
30 minutes of work responding to emails.
15-minute break.
30 minutes working on a report on sales data.
15-minute break.
30 minutes for data entry and general administration.
15-minute break.
I spend 45 minutes working on getting to inbox zero before responding to social media messages.
Use space and clothing to avoid disturbances: One of the most effective ways to have your time management set of course is to have Joe Public interrupt you. To avoid this, use the place that you choose to sit, the direction of sitting and clothing items like sunglasses or headphones to stop people interrupting you.
Have an endpoint: Managing your time also includes knowing when to call it a day in the coffee shop. Managing your time is about using your time productively and effectively. Knowing when to end the day, will help you save energy and avoid burnout.
For instance, knowing your limit of effectiveness when working in the coffee shop will allow you to use it effectively, manage your time and make it a positive experience.
Managing your time in a coffee shop is like managing your time anywhere else. it is a skill that requires practice, care and mindfulness to achieve.
Coffee shops offer a range of challenges that are different from other working environments.
However, following a few simple principles will help you to manage your time effectively.
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