Do you workshift? Just a few weeks ago my answer would’ve been a confused “no” even though, apparently, I’ve work shifted, on and off, for the last 5 years or so.

Turns out, you might be a workshifter if you work out of coffee shops, book stores, airport lounges and hotels as much as you work from your office or your home.

Telecommuting and working from home are mostly great. Except on the days when your Internet connection is mysteriously slow, installers are busy putting kitchen cabinets in or, say, you run out of coffee. Or on the days when your non-telecommuting office-mates have a pizza party or pull an April Fool’s Day prank on the boss and send you a grainy webcam video of it. Or when you realize that the most-used dress items in your closet are sweats and T-shirts.

When either of these happens and the cabin fever sets in, you know it’s time to get out of the house and work elsewhere. I usually head off to Panera Bread Bakery or to one of the two Starbucks’ at North Hills. All three of these places attract quite a crowd of like-minded telecommuters and entrepreneurs.

Neither of the places is particularly quiet and that’s ok if your main goal is to get out of the ho-hum of your daily routine and the loneliness of working from home. If change is what you’re looking for – change to where, how, and when you work – then work shifting is worth a try. Just keep in mind these handy tips:

Arrive Early… or Late – but not during peak time for your chosen location – early morning for a coffee shop or lunch time for cafés such as Panera Bread. This way, you’ll have a choice of sitting (next to an electrical outlet) and quieter surroundings. Besides, some places limit their Internet access during peak hours.

Have a To-Do List – work shifting is all about change and disruption of your established routine. To maintain focus and productivity, make sure you have clear goals and a to-do list in front of you at all times. Along the same lines, you might want to maintain at least some of your typical workflow to help you get in the zone.

Come Equipped – a laptop is a must and so is a cell phone (don’t forget to let others know which number to call or, better yet, set up call forwarding). Other nice-to-have hardware includes a spare laptop battery, an iPod, earphones, and a power strip. This last one just might make you into a super-hero at an electrical outlet-deficient place. Time-tracking, project management, instant messaging and remote desktop software will help you get work done and keep you connected with your clients, employees and co-workers.

Be Realistic – some things are better suited for office environment. Calling clients from a crowded and noisy café is not ideal and neither is dealing with highly proprietary documents. Access to an outlet might not be available right away and yes, you might run out of battery power. There will be more interruptions and distractions, including standing in line to get your food. On the other hand, faced with a threat of a dead battery or lunch crowd, you just might finish your tasks in record time.

Enjoy the Experience – Have a bagel and scan through the local paper before starting work. Spend lunch time window shopping nearby boutiques or sitting outside and people-watching. Have a drink or ice-cream after you’re done working. If you’re in North Hills, arrange for your family to meet you after work and go to the movies or, if it’s summer, enjoy an outdoor concert.

Do you work shift? Tell us about your experience working outside of your typical setting.

About the Author: Yelena McManaman of OneClickVA is a Social Media Specialist, helping small business owners implement their social media marketing strategist for measurable results. She enjoys asiago cheese bagels with veggie spread while blogging and workshifting at Panera Bread in North Hills.

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