Not sure if shared office space is the best choice?
If you are one of the lucky ones who is a digital nomad, you know how great the lifestyle can be. Even just as an entrepreneur or being your own boss has major perks.
You get to set your working hours and decide where you want to work. If you feel like going to your favorite coffee shop one day and then working from your couch another day, you can do that.
But you also know how difficult it can be to stay focused and motivated, especially when work starts to pile up. You likely take note of which locations work best for you and which places you tend to get more distracted.
Luckily for you, there are multiple options to choose from, so that you can find the best place to be your most productive.
Coworking spaces are gaining popularity among entrepreneurs, bloggers, and digital nomads alike. A coworking space is a shared place for workers who do not conduct business out of a company office. Independent professionals gather in a shared setting to conduct business and utilize similar resources. There are lots of benefits to a coworking space that will help make you more productive.
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8 Benefits of Using a CoWorking Space
Thinking of visiting a co-working space, but not sure if it’s right for you? Here are the benefits of your productivity and professionalism.
#1. Encourages a Working Atmosphere
One aspect that many freelancers enjoy with coworking spaces is the atmosphere they create.
If you work from home, it can be difficult to get in the mindset that you need to be “at work” for a few hours. Coffee shops tend to have a laid back atmosphere that is meant for relaxing, enjoying treats, and catching up with friends.
A coworking space promotes an atmosphere of productivity because that is what it is meant for. They usually are open spaces with your typical office facilities and equipment that everyone shares. Since everyone around you is there for the same reason, to be productive, it helps put you in that mindset.
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#2. Cost-Effective
Coworking spaces tend to be reasonably priced for freelancers.
Renting private office space can be expensive. Not only that, you likely have to pay for the additional resources and essential business tech you need like a printer, fax machine, photocopier, or anything else that you need for work.
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By utilizing a coworking space, you get everything you need in an office at a reasonable price. Although you are sharing all the equipment, the price of a shared space tends to be worth it.
#3. Flexible Schedule
Unlike when you rent an office in which you sign a lease for an agreed upon time, you can rent a coworking space by the day.
For those digital nomads who like to travel while working, have other commitments to work around, or like to take months off at a time, renting a coworking space is the best option.
Many companies offer daily rentals up to months at a time. You decide when you want to go to the office space, not the lease.
#4. Look and Feel Professional
Sometimes it can be hard to feel like you are a professional when you’re working from your couch at home. It’s easy to get up and start working in your pajamas. Traveling to a coworking space gives you more of a professional feeling. You likely wouldn’t show up in your pajamas.
Also, because many coworking spaces have meeting rooms, it looks better if you need to conduct business face-to-face with a client. Instead of inviting them to your house or meeting at a coffee shop, you can bring them to your coworking space and go into a private meeting room. You’ll be showing your client just how professional you truly are.
#5. Creative Collaboration Environment
One of the benefits of coworking spaces that also helps entrepreneurs be more productive is that you are in a creative environment that promotes collaboration. Instead of being closed off in a small office, cubicle, or at home, a coworking space has an open concept, which allows you to communicate with everyone around you.
Although this may seem like a distraction for some, many find this to be quite encouraging. Have you ever gotten yourself stuck on a project that could have benefited from collaborating with someone else? When you’re in a coworking space, it’s easy to go discuss your project with someone who likely has similar interests as you.
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#6. Offers Networking Opportunities
It’s hard to do any networking if you’re stuck within your home. Not only that, the people you want to network with likely won’t be showing up to the coffee shop at the same time as you. If you’re looking to start networking, a coworking space may be just what you need.
Because others use coworking spaces for the same reasons as you, you’ll be surrounded by like-minded people. That means there is a wide range of people that you can talk to while at the office that could benefit you in many ways.
If you have parts of your project that your skills don’t match, you could outsource it to someone in the coworking space.
#7. Provides a Work/Life Balance
For those who work at home, this one will be especially important to you. It’s easy to get lost in work throughout the day if you don’t leave your house. Your work is always with you, which may give you the urge to pick up the laptop at random hours of the day or night. This could interfere with your personal life.
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When you take your work away from home to a coworking office space, you’re bringing in that work and life separation that you may need. They force you to stay focused and get your work done while you’re at the office, so you’re less likely to take your work home in the evening.
#8. Creates Competition
If you’re surrounded by hard-working entrepreneurs, it may give you the kick to be more productive and keep up with everyone around you. Working from home or in cubicles in which you cannot see anyone, you set the benchmark yourself. Whereas, working in an open coworking space, everyone is aware of how others are working, which can encourage a little friendly competition.
However, too much competition does have its downfalls. You may find that if everyone around you is working at faster speeds, it can be discouraging. It may seem like the expectations are too unrealistic, causing you to be less productive and worry more.
Possible Drawbacks of Coworking Spaces
We’ve gone through some of the benefits of coworking spaces that will help make a digital nomad and those working from home more productive. However, are there any downfalls to these spaces?
Potentially Distracting
For some, the idea of being in an open office and sharing it with others can be distracting. If there are lots of entrepreneurs in one area, it can become crowded, noisy, and make it difficult to concentrate. If this isn’t an issue for you, then coworking spaces wouldn’t be too much of a distraction and offer an excellent space to be professional and productive.
Less Privacy
Some entrepreneurs prefer to keep their work and habits private. Coworking spaces do not offer the same type of privacy as working from home would. You share many of the amenities in these spaces, and it could be hard to keep work private on your desk.
This would be a big challenge for those who are in competition with others like them. However, many coworking spaces do have private meeting rooms that you could use if you need extra privacy.
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High Turnover
Another point that could be a drawback for some is how volatile coworking spaces are. There’s a good chance that you’ll meet new people on a regular basis, especially if you’re in a space that offers daily rental rates. Now, this isn’t necessarily a significant issue. However, if you’re looking to network and meet like-minded people, this could cause an issue.
Limited Availability
Lastly, coworking spaces are still relatively new, meaning they are not readily available. You’re likely to find coworking offices in large cities where there is higher demand from digital nomads and at-home entrepreneurs. If you like in smaller areas, you may struggle to find a coworking space. That isn’t to say that you may eventually find one pop in somewhere near you.
Coworking spaces provide many benefits to freelancers, digital nomads, and those who need flexibility in their schedule.
That isn’t to say there aren’t any downfalls to them. Because you are sharing the space with other people, there will likely be distractions. However, since they offer so much to freelancers, they tend to be quite worth it.
Boost Your Productivity With CoWorking Spaces
Take a look at coworking spaces in your area and destinations you travel to or in your home city. See how they will benefit you and how you can keep being a productive professional no matter where you are.
You may find that coworking spaces is just what you needed to help you get your business rolling and to stay as productive as possible. There is the chance of meeting others in similar situations that are looking for helpers or even business partners.
Take the FREE Productivity Challenge
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Let’s recap all you’ve learned. Co-working spaces:
- Encourage a working atmosphere
- Are cost-effective office space
- Offer a flexible schedule
- Look and feel professional
- Have a creative collaboration environment
- Offers networking opportunities
- Provides a work/life balance
- Creates competition
Coworking spaces have almost endless opportunities for those who want to utilize them. It’s up to you to decide if it’s worth renting one to help you be productive and keep your business running efficiently. Being a digital nomad can get distracting.
So, by going to a coworking space, you’re forcing yourself to go somewhere to work and remove the distractions of the outside world.
Can Coworking spaces make you more productive?
More About Guest Contributor
Kane Willmott is a creative entrepreneur and co-founder of iQ Office Suites. With over 20 years of entreprenurial and sales experience, it has helped him create a company that provides luxury office spaces to works in Toronto and Vancouver.
Last Updated on July 11, 2021