You may think spending time alone makes you more productive because you have the opportunity to concentrate, but that's not necessarily true. Productivity and ideas blog the 99u points to an old study that illustrates why proximity to other humans can help you work more efficiently.Of course, working at a coffee shop (or in any public place) comes with its own set of challenges as well. Before you set out to work near others, learn how to overcome those potential problems.9 Facts Every Creative Needs to Know About Collaborative Teams | The 99uPhoto by Alper Çugun.One the earliest findings in social psychology was the “social facilitation” effect – the way the mere presence of other people engaged in the same task as us can boost our motivation. In 1920, social psychologist Floyd Allport showed that a group of people working individually at the same table performed better on a whole range of tasks even though they weren’t cooperating or competing. Allport’s research illustrates how the energy of other people can act as a substitute team even if we’re working solo (this is why many creatives enjoy working at their local café surrounded by industrious strangers).
