Working from home sounds ideal to some, but separating your work and personal life can be difficult if you live in the same place as your job. On a seven-point scale, people who work in a coworking space typically rate their experience a six out of seven. Even if you run your own business, these ten suggestions will help you get the most out of your coworking space.
The first step is to consider all your options
Each coworking space, like a traditional office, will have its own distinct culture. Consider the culture of the area before choosing a place to work or open a business. It’s also crucial to make sure you have enough privacy or that a socially bustling coworking space doesn’t get in the way of your work.
If you need a conference room, break room, or fax and copy services, you’ll want to make sure the space you’re looking for has these amenities as well. If you’re still undecided, try a one-day or one-week membership before making a long-term commitment.
2. Attend networking events in the coworking space
Networking events at coworking spaces can range from cocktail parties to Christmas parties to various forms of meetings with special guests and speakers. In addition to helping you strengthen your working relationships, these outings are also a great opportunity to broaden your personal perspectives. For the CPA, it may not be possible to attend many film and video classes, but in a coworking environment, that can change.
The third step is to get out and meet new people
The benefits of socializing at work are many, and the benefits of socializing in a coworking space can be even more so. The people you meet at work are likely to have access to the same information about your company’s products and services that you do. In a coworking space, however, you may find yourself chatting with people who work in completely different industries, which can inspire you or give you a new perspective on your own business.
4. Coworking space : Know your management
Most coworking spaces have a community manager who keeps an eye on things. Remember, the coworking community is not limited to the people who currently reside there; it also includes those who have walked through the doors in the past. The community manager can not only help you get the most out of the space, but can also direct you to additional resources.
5. Be Helpful, but in the right way!
If you think it’s good to be helpful all the time, you’re wrong. Reactive help and proactive help are the two ways people can lend a hand. Helping without being asked is a form of proactive help. It has the potential to complicate and irritate situations. Reactive helping, on the other hand, is responding to someone’s need for help. Try to be helpful, but make sure it’s reactive, not proactive.
6. Keeping productivity up is essential
Distractions abound, as they do in any business. Coworking spaces can really boost your productivity, but it all depends on how much time and effort you put into making the most of it. As with any office job, you’ll want to make the most of the resources and tools at your disposal to maintain and improve efficiency.
7. Make sure you have the right equipment for this job
There are many advantages to an open office layout, but one of the biggest drawbacks is the amount of background noise. If background noise is an issue for you, you may want to consider investing in noise-canceling headphones. A spare set of any cables or cords you need for your equipment can also be a good idea, as well as a comfortable place to work. If you must work at a desk, make sure it is comfortable.
8. Coworking space : Become a member of the community
One of the great things about coworking spaces is their ability to promote a good company culture. However, that doesn’t stop you from seeking advice from others in your field and offering it to your colleagues. Find ways to engage with people rather than just selling to them.
9. Use meeting rooms to your advantage
It’s common for coworking spaces to have conference and training rooms. Keep in mind that these rooms are often in high demand, so book one now if you anticipate the need. There’s nothing more infuriating than planning a meeting only to learn at the last minute that you don’t have a place to hold it.
10. Be kind to others
When it comes to navigating a coworking space, many of the same principles can be applied to everyday life. Things like tidying up after yourself and making sure you don’t disturb those around you are examples of this type of behavior.
Coworking spaces, as opposed to traditional offices, offer greater flexibility. If you ever decide to work from home, you don’t have to follow anyone’s lead.
Other benefits include the ability to choose your own schedule and work when it’s most convenient for you, as coworking spaces are typically open 24 hours a day, seven days a week. There are many benefits to working in a coworking space, but only if you approach it with caution.
