Co-working can feel like a big step and we’d be lying if we didn’t admit it comes with a few nagging worries. We’re here to hopefully unpack some of those worries. Freeing you up to take your first steps into the effervescence of co-working culture, whether it’s here with us or somewhere else!
Let’s look at some benefits of co-working.
Control and balance for work and life
It’s hard to stay balanced when your life and work all happen in the same space. Spying piles of laundry peripherally while you zoom isn’t good for your focus and trying to relax when you can still see your screens doesn’t help your mindset. There’s also the challenge of fitting work around life. Getting all your calls scheduled in school hours or focusing when the rest of the family are home can feel impossible! A coworking membership allows you to take control of your working day. It also creates a solid boundary keeping it away from the rest of your life. As well as the obvious benefits of taking your work to a desk without laundry, deliveries, and dog walks. Most co-working spaces offer a 24 hour option so you can choose to work when it works best for you!
Networks and Community
Whilst the freedom of working remotely or starting up on your own can be very exciting. Long term it can be a really isolating activity leaving you under-resourced and draining your creativity. Working in an office where everyone has a different ambition, focus and skill set is a huge benefit. You will meet like minded people with a huge range of skills and experience that you can learn from. Generally all of our problems are very similar, but building this community means you have multiple new skill sets to help solve them. The camaraderie and community is a real benefit too. Having physical people that you can commiserate, celebrate, or talk things through with really helps you feel supported.
How to make the most of co-working?
Choose well
Not all co-working spaces are the same. Some are large, some small, some very formal, some more creative, some revere silence and some encourage sharing. You need to find the one that works best for you! Ask for a free trial and pop in on different days and times to see what it’s like. You can also use that trial to move around in the space physically and see where you might want to be. Nothing worse than choosing a desk and finding out you’re on the main thoroughfare to the loo or right next to a noisy kettle.Also make small talk with people, you’ll learn more about the real story than from any formal tour or intro pack.
Make it work for you
Even if you buy a full time membership it doesn’t mean you need to be there 8 hours, five days a week. Flexibility should be built into the package that you buy so make good use of it by choosing to work when it suits you best. One of the benefits of being self employed is that you control your schedule so why not take a couple of hours off in the day for a swim or to meet friends. Choose an office where you can stay late and catch up when there aren’t better options.
Get involved
Find out what activities they offer. Many coworking spaces arrange social events or extra training for their members. They may even have relationships and discounts with local businesses that could bring extra value to your life and membership. Make friends with the office management team and sign up to any newsletters or social media profiles so you don’t miss out on opportunities that could help you and your business grow. And if you do want to give us a try then get in touch here to book a free week