Co-working spaces have been on the rise for
quite a while now, and it’s easy to see why. A creative space designed to help
you to produce the best work, they are the perfect place for freelancers to get
out of the home office and see people once in a while.
Not only this, but many companies are using
these spaces as overflow offices – or giving certain employees that have a long
commute the opportunity to stay closer to home once in a while. Start-ups are
also joining the trend, and many small companies start out working solely from
co-working spaces.
They do have their downsides however, and
not everyone likes them. But if you use them in the correct way to make the
most out of your experience, you’ll soon see what all the hype is about.
Balance
The main thing to remember about using a co-working
space is balance. If you are freelancing, or if your company is working from a
co-working space, it’s easy to revel in the freedom of being able to set your
own working hours. After all, you get to leave early when you need to, start
late, and be flexible. So long as you are meeting deadlines, and are there for
the important hours, co-working can be great. Yet while setting your ‘own’
hours, this can quickly turn into a working habit that is unhealthy. As many
co-working spaces are open for 24hrs, burning the midnight oil can become all
too common. Taking on another freelance project, just because you can, is always
tempting. Co-working is meant to be a chance for you to create the perfect work/life
balance. You just need to make sure that you don’t end up working even more now
that you’re out of the traditional 9-5.
Connect
Co-working is an amazing chance to connect
with others, and not just others in your field. Co-working spaces are home to a
vast range of small companies and freelancers all using the space in the same
way as you are, so make the effort to get to know people. Before you realise
it, you could be working on a project together, or their company could hire you
to freelance for them. Never refuse a chance to have a coffee with someone and
answer the questions that they have about your industry. After all, they might
be returning the favour sooner than you might think. Some co-working spaces
hold special networking events to encourage communication between all of the people
that are using their space.
Stay Organised
If you only use co-working spaces in London
part-time, then it’s important that you stay organised. A co-working space isn’t
just about getting away from your home or from your usual office, it’s about
using a unique creative space to focus your mind and get tasks done. Come in
with a schedule or a task list for the day and focus on it. It can be easy to
get distracted in a co-working space at times, but only if you allow yourself
to be. Do you have something that you’ve been putting off for ages? Go into the
space, sit down, and get it done. It’s always easier if you do the worst tasks
first, because the rest will seem easy by comparison. Keeping yourself
organised and your files in order will mean that it will be easier for you to
be able to work anywhere.
Meeting Rooms
Some clients will love the idea of meeting
in a coffee shop, but you never can tell just how busy they’re going to be, or
how loud. Using the meeting spaces provided by your co-working space enables
you to have a professional meeting without having to invite clients into your
home. It also gives you options. You can use a dedicated area and show them a presentation
or relax in a communal area and discuss possibilities. Whatever suits your
client’s vibe, your co-working space is sure to have it. It can also be used as
your postal address for all of your professional dealings, if you don’t want to
use your home address. If your co-working space has meeting rooms available,
then you’d be a fool not to take advantage of it. Many will also have
conference call technology so you can easily chat to overseas clients in a
quiet environment.
Movement
Most co-working spaces aren’t just full of
hot desks and conference rooms. With the rise in popularity of creative spaces,
many co-working buildings now have outside areas for you to work at and search
for inspiration. As well as this, there may be communal and lounge areas where
you can get away from the desk. If you are part of a co-working space, you will
have access to all of these, so make sure to try them out. Everyone starts to
feel lethargic after too long sitting at a desk, which is why moving to another
part of the building is a great way to keep your productivity up. Many people
use co-working spaces because they provide just that – an alternative to the
four walls of the office. Do you need to sit an answer emails for an hour? There’s no need to be at your desk to do it.
Moving around will keep your mind fresh and remind you that you’re not in the
‘office’ in a traditional sense.
A co-working space isn’t for everyone – or for
every company – but hosting special events, project meetings, or brainstorming
sessions in a new space can really get the creative juices flowing for
everyone. So long as they are used in the correct way, co-working spaces can be
really effective.
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