Coworking. The name brings to mind working with others, but the concept goes even further than sharing your ideas or insight. It’s clear that coworking is changing the world of work, but why?
It allows for better connections
Coworking spaces are often designed with the idea of collaboration in mind. If you’re going to the same office day after day, you may reach valuable insights with your fellow team members from time to time – but a fresh perspective once in a while could help motivate you and to help you to consider new ideas.
Many coworking spaces are set up with a particular industry in mind, so everyone has something to offer each other. You could help a new friend with a specific problem one day, and they could help you with something they specialize in the next time you meet. These coworking spaces are also great for networking – you might be able to get in on the ground level of the newest startup in your city!
It helps to create a sense of community
In addition to better connections with others in the same industry, coworking helps to foster a sense of community among workers who would otherwise feel isolated. Freelancers, for example, traditionally work at home, often going for hours or even whole days without speaking to another person.
As coworking spaces are so accessible, it becomes easier for people in these roles to meet others and develop a sense of community around their work. Social interaction is an integral part of a fulfilling human life, and coworking spaces aim to make this possible while providing a work-friendly atmosphere.
Coworking spaces also provide a sense of structure. When you work from home, your day is often dragged out much longer than necessary, as you are tempted to take frequent breaks. Working in a coworking space, among other people, will likely improve your efficiency and productivity.
It’s revolutionising how we travel
Gone are the days where work always takes place in a designated building. These days, with coworking facilities available in so many major cities, it’s easy to see the world while keeping up with your work. Many coworking spaces in popular tourist destinations offer travellers the chance to live directly in a coworking space, too.
Living near or in your workspace provides plenty of perks: the opportunity to connect with like-minded individuals who are also far from home, the all-inclusive aspect, and the convenience, to name a few. Living in a coworking space is streamlined and straightforward; you won’t have to travel far from bed to start your day’s work. Whether you plan on visiting the Greek islands, a seaside town in Mexico, or a bustling European city, combining work and leisure has never been so simple.
It’s much more flexible than traditional arrangements
In a world with an abundance of startups, coworking spaces offer what traditional office spaces don’t: flexibility. Renting a proper office space often means purchasing expensive items (such as printers, desks, or ergonomic chairs), as well as signing a long-term lease, which isn’t feasible for most small businesses. Alternatively, coworking spaces often offer short-term rentals as well as full use of office equipment, and many offer their visitors desirable amenities such as food and drink, too.
Thanks to today’s fast and reliable internet connections, being able to work remotely in the place of one’s choosing is no longer a dream. Coworking spaces that rely on these connections have been able to open up all over the world to accommodate people who want to travel while keeping up with their duties from home, as well as people who need a space to work but don’t want to rent their own offices or convert rooms at home into makeshift studios.
If you have spent monotonous hours in your usual workplace and need a place to recharge, this is a good rule of thumb – if your work is mainly strenuous and physical, look for a coworking area that is quiet with features that will help you relax: such as plush, comfy seating, napping booths, and yoga studios. On the other hand, if you work mainly sitting down ‘with your brain buzzing,’ you could try a coworking space that has exercise/gym equipment or a swimming pool, shared meal areas, and Skype booths to set up conference calls, strategy meetings, and even webinars.
Coworking spaces are extremely valuable tool in modern society, with welcoming doors open to anyone from freelancers to business owners. Many people have enjoyed the refreshing community perspective of coworking areas, turning their frustration and weariness into productivity and creativity in the widest variety of settings – from bustling city centres to beachside malls.
There are countless types of coworking areas to match all kinds of personalities, whether you’re looking for a comforting haven for imagination or a bubbling cavern of ideas and networking opportunities. If you think you’d fit in well at a coworking space, or that coworking would suit your lifestyle, dive right into researching which spaces are available in your city and find the perfect one for you.