With freelancers, independent professionals, and digital nomads on the rise, the coworking model has enjoyed explosive growth in recent years. Recent statistics show that over three million people are working in coworking spaces worldwide. As recently as 2019, WeWork, a company specializing in shared workspaces for startups and freelancers, was valued at 47 billion dollars. While recent developments have put a damper on the coworking industry, there’s no denying that growth will resume once the situation stabilizes.
For people who have worked most of the professional lives independently, coworking spaces provide an avenue for networking and socializing. And if you are transitioning out of the corporate world, working at a shared office can give you the freedom and flexibility that are often in short supply in a traditional office.
Of course, shared workspaces can take some getting used to. You don’t have a manager breathing down your neck, telling you what to do. You can do anything you want, wherever you want. But you also need to make sure you can stay productive on your own. Working in a communal space can pose a few challenges, but nothing that can’t be overcome.
Here are a few things that will help you work better in a coworking space.
Discipline yourself
Working in a coworking space will require more self-discipline, patience, and self-accountability than working in an office. Just like a regular office, coworking spaces are full of distractions and opportunities to derail your schedule. The only difference is there’s no one around to scold you for fooling around.
You need to practice self-discipline to succeed in a communal environment. If you know why you’re there and what you want to accomplish, you’ll finish your work in no time. But if you let yourself get distracted and waste time while you’re working, you’re going to find it more difficult to achieve your goals.
Of course, one of the reasons why freelancers and digital nomads gravitate toward shared offices is the opportunity for socialization. You can connect with someone who might be your next friend, investor, colleague, or collaborator. But you need to focus on your job before doing anything else.
Know your priorities
Many independent professionals split their time between their home office and a coworking space. If they need some peace and privacy, a home office is more than enough for their needs. But if they need to socialize and collaborate, the best place to do is at a coworking space. To make sure you’re making the most of your limited time, work at a coworking space if the situation calls for it. Know when and where you should work.
Coworking spaces provide ample opportunities for easy collaboration between professionals, experts, and business owners. Working in a communal environment with easy access to knowledge can boost your productivity and improve your output quality. You can also achieve your results in a shorter period.
Take regular breaks
A brain is a powerful organ, but it’s not without its limits. Even the most brilliant person in the world needs to take regular breaks to ensure optimum mental and physical performance. Otherwise, you’ll tire more easily and your quality of work will suffer. According to one study, people can only work uninterrupted for an hour before the brain needs a break.
To maximize your productivity, you need to find a system that allows you to balance work and rest. You also need to know your limits so you can discern whether you need a break or not. Some people take a nap, some eat, while others go for a quick walk. Regardless of your methods, the important thing is to recharge.
Socialize only when needed
You’re going to be surrounded by like-minded people from different backgrounds, and you’re going to get a strong urge to socialize with them. While there’s nothing wrong with productive discussions, you need to limit nonessential chitchat with other people. You know you’re just procrastinating, and you’re preventing yourself and other people from finishing on time.
The bottom line
These are the things you need to do to improve your productivity in a communal space. More and more people are fleeing the office for a coworking space, and good reason. Where else would you find a place where you can work and collaborate with people from all backgrounds and professions?
