The Productivity Safe Haven
It’s probably one of the only places that is great to have a first date, but also great to sit at alone.
Walk into Starbucks and what do you see?
Countless people on there laptops, people engaging in conversations,and maybe a few alone in thought with a hot cup of coffee.
How many top medium articles do you think were written in a Starbucks? How many business ideas do you think were talked out in one?
On a smaller scale, how many people do you think have fallen in love at Starbucks? While on the other hand, how many have broken up there? (I know I’ve experienced both ends of this)
It seems that whenever I needed to get into deeper thought or have a tough conversation or just needed somewhere to go, I turned to my local Starbucks or some other nearby coffee house. It’s so easy to say “Hey meet me at Starbucks,” or “I’m going to go sit at a Starbucks and…” You fill in the blank.
It’s probably one of the only places that is great to have a first date, but also great to sit at alone.
This isn’t a coincidence. Starbucks and other coffee shops know what they are doing. I use Starbucks as an example because it is an international company that has capitalize on the concept of “Third Places”.
Ray Oldenburg, an urban sociologist, developed the concept of third places and describes them as anywhere outside of our first place (home) and second place (work). According to Oldenburg, third places are what communities are built upon and they can exist both physically or digitally (think Facebook groups). These places aren’t limited to coffee houses, but include bars, parks, and other public meeting spaces. When looking to feel a part of something, it is almost a natural inclination to walk into a “third place”. These are the places we go to with family ,friends, and yes, sometimes alone.
It is in our third place that we can relax, yet be completely out of our normal everyday space. Through these spaces we feel safe in our community, and with that comfort, can create some of our most creative work. It’ll also be hard to procrastinate when it seems like everyone around you is getting something done. There is a positive air about third places that we can’t find at home, which may just be that sense of community.
If you are looking for something to spike your productivity or to serve you some inspiration, I encourage a trip to your local coffee shop. Bring your laptop, a book, or a friend and see where your mind takes you.
