The Best Tips for a Successful Coworking Experience
In the ever-evolving landscape of work, coworking has significantly grown in popularity. Nowadays, more and more people are opting for this alternative to traditional offices as it offers both flexibility and a sense of community, which not everyone gets to experience when working remotely. Accordingly, as both businesses and employees continue to embrace this trend, understanding how to best use coworking spaces and have a great experience is crucial.
Choose the Right Space for You
Different people have different needs, so what works for someone else might not be right for you. This also applies to coworking spaces as they can differ in terms of location, amenities or prices. So, have a look at what’s available in your area, what amenities are included and how much each membership tier costs before making a choice. If possible, try to book a tour of the premises or look for the spaces that offer free access in the form of three-day trials, for example, to test the space and see if it works for you and your needs.
Engage With the Community
If you’re a freelancer or simply work remotely most of the time, you might feel like you’re missing out on the social element of the typical work environment. That’s where booking a coworking space can be particularly helpful as you can meet new people and experience a sense of community similar to those who work in traditional office spaces. In some cases, you may even get to experience some unique aspects, like social gatherings, workshops or events. It can all depend on the coworking space, though, so make sure to look for opportunities such as these if you’re interested in growing your network.
Stick to a Routine
Certain jobs offer their employees some level of flexibility, and this is something that can quite easily be leveraged, such as waking up five minutes before it’s time to clock in. Conversely, if you’re a remote worker or freelancer, using a coworking office and implementing a routine can help enhance your productivity. Setting regular working hours and scheduling your breaks and time for networking can also lead to a more consistent workflow in the long run, as well as a better work/life balance. While a rigid schedule can work wonders for some workers, others need a little wiggle room in their everyday routine. Whatever the case may be, try to find the one that works for you, especially when working in such a flexible work environment like a coworking space.
Use the Space to its Fullest
A coworking space membership tends to include not only a workspace, but also some additional perks. Aside from the standard features — such as internet connection or meeting rooms — some properties may also include printing services, coffee bars, on-site parking or fitness-center access all in the price of admission. Taking advantage of the available features can help you feel like you’re getting your money’s worth while checking more than just work-related boxes.
Be Mindful of Other Members
When booking such a space, it’s important to be respectful of your surroundings. Specifically, clean up any mess you’ve made (if applicable) when leaving the space and keep the noise level to a minimum. Talking is fine if the noise is kept at appropriate levels, but phone conversations should take place outside or in separate areas where others won’t be disturbed. You can also use headphones if you want to listen to music while working. At the same time, make sure to not overuse the available amenities. To that end, having a coffee or two is fine, as is printing some documents for a meeting, but make sure everyone else can take advantage of these perks, too.
Organize Your Time & Workflow
Given that you’ll be in a shared space with a roster of people coming and going, it’s best to remain as organized as possible: Use planners or to-do lists to keep track of what you need to get done and any deadlines you’ve got coming up. Scheduling your breaks and time to work on your tasks can also help improve your workflow and contribute to regular routines.
Balance Privacy & Collaboration
Although shared spaces promote collaboration, it can be easily balanced with the need for privacy. To that end, in a coworking space, any meetings or private discussions can take place in designated conference rooms, phone booths or any other space where you can be free of distractions. This balance between privacy and collaboration can ensure that you stay productive while also engaging with the other people in your coworking space.
Adapt to Your Space
Coworking spaces have grown significantly in recent years, and more and more people are hopping on this trend. If you’d like to give it a try, keep these tips in mind to help you navigate this way of working and maximize benefits. Whether you’re part of a remote team, a freelancer, or an entrepreneur, these shared offices can provide a blend of productivity and community that might be just the thing you’re missing when working from home or in a crowded cafe.
