At the end of last summer, my dance teacher dropped the choreography she'd been tooling with during the session, and had us learn how to Vogue. It was a totally life changing experience, but not for the reason you'd think. Sure, moving my body like that was an awesome test of my shoulder strength, but the thing I took away from that day in dance class was: HOLY DEATH DROP, RUPAUL. Ever since then, Mama Ru has been appearing to me when I have to get shit done. It's been a blessing and a curse. (Buuut let's be real: everything Ru does is a blessing.)

I'll be at home with a writing deadline coming up... 

Futzing around on the tumblrs or something... 

Stalking my crush on Facebook...

Ru has become my 'get shit done' mantra girl. IT'S AWESOME.

I'm the type of person who, unless I have a deadline fast approaching, canNOT get work done at home. Since I'm a freelance artist for most of my professional life, this...creates problems. I dreamed up this post the other day when I decided to trade in my regular coffee shop stop for some FroYo, which was a TERRIBLE DECISION.

Here are some things to consider when you're looking for a place to be productive:

1. WHAT'S YOUR ESTABLISHMENT'S TARGET CLIENTELE? 

This was why trying to make art at the FroYo place was miserable. There were so. Many. KIDS. EVERYWHERE. Focusing on work was impossible! Even though I wasn't working on a project for someone else, the fact that I couldn't keep my brain together long enough to paint a single brush stroke was maddening. There was a lot of surrounding chaos, and though praline & caramel FroYo was amazing, I wasn't thinking ahead enough when I decided to head there instead of my normal spot.

2. WHEN ARE YOU MOST PRODUCTIVE? 

I personally am a late night worker bee, which often leaves few options for going out. Luckily, I live pretty close to a 24 hour coffee shop, which has been a blessing. When thinking about where to go, you can look around for places that have operating hours around your productivity hours. Coffee shops typically cater to people who work banker's hours, but coffee shops near college campuses sometimes are open much later.

3. WHAT SUPPLIES DO YOU NEED TO BE PRODUCTIVE? 

A lot of the work I typically do is purely computer based, so most of the time it's just me hauling my laptop around. Sometimes I like to paint, which requires a whole different set of supplies. Depending on where you're going, and what you want to do when you get there, making a plan before you head out is an awesome idea.

• How much space will I need to complete my tasks? (An entire table? A small space for me and my computer?)
• Will there be outlets available to me should I need to charge up my electronics? 
• If I'm not sure, are all of my electronics charged before I leave? 
• If I'm walking, will all the shit I'm carrying give me sciatica? 
• Should I drive or take public transit instead? 

It may seem like overkill, but I have made the mistake of not going through a small checklist before leaving and regretted it almost immediately. (Namely working on scripts without my computer charger after walking 2.5 miles to the 24 hour coffee place. Not fun.)

I had considered this after sitting in the FroYo place for a measly hour, and only painting a half-arsed, abysmal looking croquis. I felt like I'd wasted my money, because a lot of the time I look at part of the money I spend going to 'rent' some space where I decide to go that day.

What are some things that you guys look for in a productive outside-the-house space?

Happy working, and may Mama Ru guide you in your future journeys~!

-Mac