Coffee shops are super convenient places for getting some work done if you're a writer or something similar. It gets you out of your home, gives you somewhere cozy to work, and there's coffee, cake and other nice things. But it can also be easy to get distracted, even if you intend to get some good work done. If you're intending to work in a coffee shop, there are a few things you might want to do to keep yourself on track.

Protect Your Laptop

The first thing you need to do is ensure you're protecting your device when you work in a coffee shop. It's great when there's free WiFi available but it's also important that the connection you use is secure. If you want to make sure your device is protected, look for a fast VPN provider.

Using a VPN will give you an extra level of protection, ensuring any information is encrypted. You'll be able to connect to the coffee shop WiFi with confidence and won't have to worry about maintaining your privacy.

Wear Noise-Canceling Headphones

Some people like the background noise of a coffee shop when they're working. There might be music playing or the noise of other people talking to each other. But some people can find these sounds distracting and struggle to get anything done. If you prefer to get in the zone when you're working, you might find that using noise-canceling headphones is helpful. You can put your own music on, which can be a lot less distracting than having music playing in the background. A good pair of noise-canceling headphones can be useful in lots of other situations too.

Arrive Ready to Work

You might not be going into the office, but it's still a good idea to turn up to the coffee shop prepared to work. You might choose to dress professionally, for example, so that when you sit down to work you really feel like it's time to get things done.

You can also prepare yourself for the day. Before you arrive, you might organize your work and plan what you're going to do. Set goals for yourself so that you know why you're going to the coffee shop and what you want to have finished by the time you leave.

Make Sure You Take Breaks

Working hard is important, but so is taking breaks. When you take short breaks in between periods of work, it can help make you more productive. It's also a chance to talk to other people and be social, which isn't always easy to do if you're a freelancer or someone who works on their own a lot. Taking a break can be an opportunity to get another drink, have a muffin, or quickly go to the bathroom before you get back to work.

If you want to actually be productive when you visit a coffee shop, get ready to work so you can be at your most productive when you get there.