Working Pool Side!
I don’t know what’s more satisfying than being able to get work done while enjoying the outdoors.
A lot of people these days are enjoying working remotely or telecommuting, so bringing your laptop to your pool is a no-brainer. This opportunity comes with some caveats and we’ll steer you in the right direction, so you can maximize your outdoor work experience.
For starters try to find some shade to work in. Grab your sunglasses, a hat with a brim, and a darker towel to deflect glare. If there’s little to no shade use a large beach umbrella. I don’t know about you, doing those things automatically saves me from a sun headache and if that happens my day is shot.
Drink up! Preferably not the alcoholic kind since, well… you are working. Just remember to have a fridge or cooler packed with drinks and hydrate! Hydrate! Hydrate!
If you’re shopping for a new laptop and have a penchant for working outdoors, look for outdoor optimizing laptops. Those with screens that have a matte finish are easier on your eyes than ones with a glossy finish. Glossy might look nicer indoors, but they’ll reflect the sun all too well if you take them outside. Matte-screen laptops are few and far between these days, but you may have luck finding a used or refurbished model.
Adjust the brightness in the display settings of your gadgets. On a Mac–increase luminosity with the F2 button and decrease with F1. PC laptops usually have brightness controls on top row of keyboard. See the “sun” icon with the “+” sign and the “-” sign to control the buttons. Changing the contrast mode on your computer will also be a great help.
What if your gadgets get wet you ask? Try putting them in a bowl of rice as soon as possible. Don’t forget to pull out the battery if your device allows for it. Leave it in rice for as long as you can (up to a few days if necessary) and you may be able to save its life. If you’re able to plug in outdoors good for you. If not have a back up battery charged and ready to go.
Access the Wi-Fi signal outside your house. You can accomplish this in a few ways. Extend the signal by relocating your router near the side of the backyard or if the signal is still to weak then add a repeater that extends the signal outdoors. Aftermarket antennas can also be used with some routers to increase their signal strength. If changing your router setup doesn’t work, you can invest in a new Wi-Fi card for your laptop with an external, high-gain antenna, increasing your available range.
Now you’re ready to go enjoy the great outdoors while you work…and, maybe take a short break and do a lap or two in the pool. You’ve earned it.
Exercise, nature and work? Life is good.
Photo: Pinterest