Month: January 2019

Make the Most of Your Serviced Office Space: How to Boost Productivity

Proper Office is a serviced office space, Putney and Shoreditch based, that is home to a variety of different companies. And while these companies are all different in size, structure and purpose, one thing that they all have in common is their goal to boost productivity. In this blog post, we will explore ways to boost productivity to benefit our diverse tenants at all of our Proper Office locations.

Do Not Multitask

While this advice may go against everything you thought you knew, Earl K. Miller, a neuroscience professor at the Picower Institute for Learning and Memory at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, stated that “Multitasking is not humanly possible.” Instead, focus on monotasking and perform one task at a time. You’ll find that you’re more productive then if you had been trying to do five things at once. If you have many different things to do, work in intervals, dedicating a certain amount of time to one task and then switching to another when time is up.¹

Take Breaks

Breaks are an essential part of everyone’s day. It has been proven that walking around for five minutes every hour will not only improve your health but your well-being as well – furthermore, sitting too much will increase the risk of dying early.² It is for these reasons that at our managed offices, we provide ample breakout spaces to give our tenants a place to take a break including a relaxing rooftop garden and ping pong tables that promote comradery.

Exercise  

As we highlighted in a previous blog post this month, working out has countless benefits, especially when it comes to augmenting productivity. Research shows that people who spent at least 30 minutes working out at lunch had an average performance boost of 15% and that those who worked out in the middle of the work day developed better time management skills and met deadlines more effectively on days that they worked out.³

Track Your Progress

Will a certain task take you one hour or just ten minutes? It’s hard to know unless you keep track of your work to better understand your ability to complete tasks and in what timeframe. Don’t worry if you don’t know the answer yet, as research suggests that only 17% of people can accurately estimate how long a task will take them. Gain awareness of your daily activity through tools such as Toggl or Rescue Time that will let you know exactly how your time is being used.⁴

Be Happy!

Do your best and always remember that tomorrow is another day to start fresh. It has been proven that happy people are more productive as shown by various studies including ones performed by The University of Warwick, Maastricht University and KPMG.⁵

At Proper Office, we aim to provide our tenants with a productive environment to ensure they have everything they need to get their best work done in our serviced offices. London is a city full of distractions, find an office space with us in Putney or Shoreditch for a refuge from the hustle and bustle in a place where you will always be well taken care of.

https://www.nytimes.com/guides/business/how-to-improve-your-productivity-at-work?mcubz=1

https://www.psychologytoday.com/gb/blog/changepower/201703/is-it-true-movement-is-medicine

https://www.researchgate.net/publication/235275530_Exercising_at_work_and_self-reported_work_performance

https://www.inc.com/john-rampton/15-ways-to-increase-productivity-at-work.html

https://www.thebalancesmb.com/top-ways-to-increase-productivity-2948669

Working Out During the Work Week

As we all know, taking breaks throughout the day is proven to improve productivity.¹ That is why, here at Proper Office, we believe in breakout areas that include ample space for some time-out — there’s even a Ping Pong table available to employees in both neighbourhoods that we host our serviced offices. London is a busy city with so much going on, making it even more important to consciously include times to take a break. And what better to get your energy levels up than squeezing in a powerful workout during the working week? Here, we explain how working out can improve employee’s quality of life and share some of our favourite places near our serviced office spaces in Shoreditch, so you too can fit in the best workouts during the work week.

Sweat the Stress Away

As much as we enjoy our jobs, there are bound to be moments of stress that threaten to wreak havoc on our mental state. Exercise reduces levels of adrenaline and cortisol, which cause us stress while simultaneously stimulating the production of endorphins – delivering a satisfying natural high. ² Whether it’s right before work, at lunch or before you head home, even a quick workout can do wonders at making that stress simply melt away.

Augment Your Productivity

Working out takes your break one step further in terms of boosting productivity. In fact, it was found that people who spent at least 30 minutes working out at lunch had an average performance boost of 15%. Furthermore, 60% of people who worked out in the middle of the work day developed better time management skills and met deadlines more effectively on days that they worked out.³

Cultivating Creativity

Squeeze in 4 work outs during the week and reap the benefits: a 2013 study showed that workers who followed this plan were more creative than their counterparts, giving them a professional and personal advantage.

A Twist on Networking

Many people network by meeting other professionals at events and conferences; however, the truth is that networking doesn’t have a time or place. You can meet a potential connection while out for a drink just as easily as at your favourite yoga class at lunch – not only that, working out can be a great way to get to know clients and woo them, making working out beneficial for you and your employer.

Places Around the Office to Feel the Burn

Near our managed offices in Shoreditch, there are plenty of places to get your sweat on and have a productive and energising lunch break or start to your day. We have a few staff favourites that we thought we’d list below.

Frame
“Move your Frame” is the motto of this Shoreditch-native exercise studio. From trampolining to dancing, Pilates and more – there’s something for everyone to enjoy. We love Rebounding and Dance Cardio — why not give them a try? You can find them at New Inn Yard, London EC2A 3EY.

Psycle
Known for their high-energy spinning classes, this boutique fitness brand founded by a Canadian is so much more. At their Shoreditch studio, you’ll have the option of spinning or barre. Go on a ride or take a barre class at 17-23 Whitby St, London E1 6JU.

Blok
A boutique fitness studio with 100’s of classes a week. From boxing to yoga, Pilates and signature workouts – Blok’s classes are designed to push your limits. We’ve enjoyed blokflex and Yogasana. You can find them at Principal Place, 2 Hearn street, London EC2A 3BR.
 

Chroma Yoga
Last but not least, a yoga studio that combines colour therapy with yoga – delivering an immersive, multi-sensory yoga experience. Choose from Red, Yellow, Blue, Orange, Pink, Super Pink, Chromatic or Ganzsound and prepare for yoga like you’ve never experienced before. Find your zen at 45 Charlotte Road, London EC2A 3PD.

When looking for an office space, Shoreditch has many options. Choose Proper Office for its proximity to a variety of fitness studios that will keep you and your team energised and productive throughout the week. Get in touch today to find out more about our currently available offices: enquiry@properoffice.com

 
https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0272494415000328

https://www.health.harvard.edu/staying-healthy/exercising-to-relax

https://www.researchgate.net/publication/235275530_Exercising_at_work_and_self-reported_work_performance

https://www.ciphr.com/advice/promote-exercise/

The Ins and Outs of Putney: January

Putney is reputed as ‘one of London’s most pleasant suburbs,’ and it really does have something for everyone. With our new serviced office space, Putney now has a growing number of start-ups and freelancers working in the area.

For January, we found the best places for you to enjoy just a short walk away from our serviced office spaces in Putney.

Where to eat

An old favourite hang-out in Putney is Isola del Sole on Lacey Road. This authentic Sardinian restaurant has a warm, neighbourhood feel to it, and is a favourite among locals. Its name translates to ‘Isle of the Sun’, a nickname for the island of Sardinia.

With fresh cooking that remains true to its roots, enjoy seasonal, flavourful recipes of fresh food, presented beautifully.

Where to go for a drink

The Dukes head is a grand Victorian grade II listed building, built in 1864, sitting at the side of the River Thames in Putney.

The almost 150-year-old establishment resides at the start of the Oxford and Cambridge University Boat Race, and has four venues under its one roof. The Duke’s Bar is a traditional British pub with comfy chairs and plenty of beers, spirits and wines to choose from. Perfect for a lazy Sunday afternoon with friends.

Everything else

Hurlingham Books is a well-loved hidden gem in Putney. This old fashioned bookshop offers antique classics among its paperbacks, and has been going since the 1960s. And if you can’t find what you’re looking for, don’t sweat – they also have a huge warehouse in Fulham, 10 minutes from the shop, where they hold over a million books.

And then there’s London Wetland Centre, an urban oasis nestled next to the Thames.

This nature reserve offers a great place for a relaxing walk beside lakes, meadows and gardens, where you’ll see ducks, water birds, butterflies, bats, amphibians and water voles.

If you’re looking for a small office for rent, Putney could be a great place to develop your business in the new year. Why not check out our offices and see which ones suit your company’s needs?

The Ins and Outs of Shoreditch: January

It’s the beginning of a near year, and there’s no better place to start afresh than Shoreditch, where there’s just enough excitement to get us through the cold months.

As London’s startup and small business centre, Shoreditch has no shortage of places to eat, drink and hang out, which is great for those who work in the area, in managed offices such as our own. For January, we found the best places for you to eat, drink and have fun, all within a short walking distance from our serviced office spaces in Shoreditch.

Where to eat

Dirty Bones Shoreditch is certainly a unique experience. Set in a stunning Grade II listed building, the ambiance, for a start, doesn’t get much better – until you hear the lovingly curated playlist of old-school hip-hop, funk and soul in the background, that is.

Alongside the nostalgic soundtrack, Dirty Bones offers NYC-inspired comfort food and delicious cocktails to wash them down with, including chicken and waffles, cheeseburger dumplings and burnt onion and ale beef short rib, not to mention the mouth-watering famous Moving Mountains vegan mac daddy burger for all of those doing Veganuary – and those who aren’t.

Where to go for a drink

TT Liquor is one of Shoreditch’s finest speakeasy-style bars. Once a police station, the building now allows customers access through an unassuming entrance and into a cellar bar transformed from old jail cells.

Kick back and relax on leather benches and enjoy a delicious, handpicked selection of fine liquors and cocktails. There’s even the option to create your own liquor collection by taking a deposit box for bottles customers have purchased upstairs in the booze shop. If you need a particularly big January pick-me-up, TT Liquor also offers cocktail-making masterclasses and tasting experiences.

Everything else

This month, Shoreditch is treating workers to a month-long pop-up for gin-lovers at Ham Yard Hotel. A celebration of all things gin, Hot Gin Roof: The Chronicles, organised by Sipsmith And Ham Yard Hotel, greets guests with a hot gin and tonic on arrival to warm you up, and is hosting two masterclasses, where you can create bespoke cocktails and taste a few cheeky samples along the way.

And on the 10^th Jan, yoga fans are in for a treat with Shoreditch’s beloved The Book Club, which is hosting a session of Sade Yoga. That’s right – a night of yoga poses along to your favourite Sade hits.

If you’re looking for a small office for rent, Shoreditch could be a great place to develop your business in the new year. Why not check out our offices and see which ones suit your company’s needs?