How I Made My Coworking Space Work for Me
Today marks the one-year anniversary of me working in a coworking space. So far, the whole experience has been a massive rollercoaster with a hearty serving of lessons on the side.
My introversion had me re-learn how to thrive in such a vibrant community (but you don’t have to, because I wrote an all-purpose guide for my introverted kinsmen), I first learned how much a positive workspace had an impact on my team’s productivity, and most importantly, I learned how to make my workspace work for me.
Name Your Wishes
Having an office in a fully serviced workspace means that I don’t have to worry too much about overhead costs and the equipment and tools needed to get me working. Every time I pitch to my friends about the benefits of working in a coworking space, is that it all comes in this neat package that everyone can easily enjoy and actually use, be it a small business owner or an independent worker and remote employees.
Coworking spaces are often fully equipped with high-speed wi-fi connections, major office equipment, and state-of-the-art meeting rooms. I quickly made use of all of these. Each day I explore my coworking space I would scratch one more items in my “dream office” list. Now, I’m sitting on an ergonomic chair in a private office space. If your space has your best physical interest at heart, then you’re set for life. Some coworking spaces even offer free cups of coffee and tea. Need I say anything else?
Photo by Antenna on Unsplash
A Sea of Productive People
When I wrote my introvert’s survival guide, I was putting myself at odds with the biggest asset of working in a coworking space—the people. But I’ve learned since to embrace what I’ve been scared of so far.
Spending time in a coworking space not only brings you the feeling of belonging within your community, but it also presents you with opportunities to connect and expand your network in that community, and even beyond. Through letting yourself be known by and getting to know the members of the community of a coworking space, it will increase the possibility of you meeting people you can share experiences with, or even collaborate with.
Moreover, working in a coworking space gives you more leverage in terms of having an actual, professional workspace instead of providing your clients your home address or arranging meetings in a cafe somewhere.
Benefits, Perks, and Beyond
The coworking game is changing. Now, providers aim to give their members more than just workspaces and in-house facilities. Coworking spaces enlist the services of various partners across all industries to provide their members with benefits beyond their coworking spaces—Gyms, retail, legal services, domain providers, restaurants, even cinemas.
Making use of all of these benefits are the final step in order for me to have my coworking space work for me. Now all I have to do is to find a chair somewhere, and plop down to work, knowing that I need not to worry about anything else, because of the tiny gears in this machination that is the coworking space are working for my convenience.
