#03 Hide Away / Change The Scenery
Far From The Madding Crowd
Not all environments are suitable for learning, especially if you work in a busy office. Sometimes a change of scenery is called for in order to find somewhere more ambient to learning.
Think of the list of your requirements for the perfect learning environment and then go find it.
It might look like this:
- Quiet
- Comfortable
- Hidden away from or out of sight of colleagues
- Free from distractions
- WiFi enabled
- Good coffee / snacks available
Secret Hideaway Learning Environment
At Capgemini we have a flexible policy around seating that you might know as the term “hot desking”. We have a mobile app that lets us find and book a desk. It even has an Alexa skill to command it – so cool! (Imagine me eating my breakfast and saying “Alexa, book me a desk”.)
I’m not personally a fan of “hot desking” but I make it work to my advantage when needed as I’m able to hide myself away in a different location to avoid interruptions and to also change the scenery once in a while. You could call it a "secret hideaway" learning environment.
Some of my software engineering team colleagues hired a place in the country for a week in order to conduct a Hack Week to learn new skills. The place had wonderful views, my kind of local cuisine and even had a hot tub! 😊
Space To Think
I’m one of those people who makes time for thinking. If you’re a Knowledge Worker then you probably should too. Go on, give me ten good ideas right now! It's not that easy is it?
Most of my ideas come from research but that doesn't mean that every idea I have is a good idea. Some ideas don't make it after you've had time to think them through, sleep on them or bounce them off colleagues.
Having space to think is the important thing and often on your personal learning journey you will have to appraise your progress and perhaps adjust your plans and priorities.
Fresh Location - Fresh Ideas - Fresh Approach
The office I work in is pretty big so there are lots of “hiding places” that are not too far away (such as our office canteen) but when I really want a change of scenery I work from a totally different office or at home. I find this can really help energise approaching a new or challenging piece of work or inspiring some fresh thinking. Try it once in a while and see if it works for you too.
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Tim Simpson
#OldDogNewTrick