Working from home seems ideal until you realize that your pet needs attention, the dishes need to be done, and about 100 other minor things turn into major things that need your attention. A coworking space can give you everything you need.
Working from home seems ideal until you realize that your pet needs attention, the dishes need to be done, and about 100 other minor things turn into major things that need your attention. Unless you are super disciplined, you soon find yourself sucked into activities that sap your motivation. And if you are super disciplined, you may have trouble drawing the line between home life and work – that work-life balance everyone is talking about. If you are a social person, you feel that your creativity is stifled, or you may get cabin fever.
The Rise of the Coffee Shop Office
So, you turn to the coffee shop. And why not? There’s free Wi-Fi and plenty of coffee. However, then you have to deal with loud music, constant interruptions, and what about bathroom breaks? Do you risk leaving your laptop and work paraphernalia alone while you run to the bathroom or pack it all up and risk losing your spot and breaking your flow? What if you need to make a phone call? Background noises can make it hard to hear or concentrate. You can always step outside for some privacy, but then you have the same issues as with your bathroom break. What to do with your laptop?
And while unlimited coffee and snacks seem great at first, those costs begin to add up rather quickly. You could have just rented a shared office space at the coworking space down the street for less money and all the coffee you can drink. If you spend the day at the coffee shop, not only are you paying for each cup of coffee or latte you drink, but what about lunch? All in all, the cost of coworking space can be equal to two cups of coffee a day, according to deskmag.
And what if you want to work late or early? A coffee shop generally has set hours. There’s nothing worse than being in the middle of a project or on a creative tear and having to pack everything up because the coffee shop is closing. Some people are at their best first thing in the morning, and others find they are more productive later in the day or even into the midnight hours.
Enter the Coworking Space
A coworking space can give you all of the benefits of working in a coffee shop with none of the drawbacks. For example, coworking space Alley offers 24/7 access so you can work at your most productive time. You can choose a shared desk that lets you connect with collaborators or other members of the coworking community. Or, you can choose a dedicated desk that you can make your own. This option is great for small teams and collaborative groups.
Amenities You’ll Find at Coworking Spaces
In addition to saving you money, many coworking spaces give you access to:
- High-speed internet
- Printing and office supplies
- Common areas for collaboration
- Complimentary refreshments
- Staff to support you
- Private booths for sensitive calls
- Nursing rooms for new moms
- Weekly catered lunch
The most a coffee shop can give you is Wi-Fi that may or may not be secured for the price of a cup of coffee and a muffin.
Coworking Spaces Help Create Work-Life Balance
According to a study by Emergent Research, 80% of coworking space members feel happier after they join a coworking space. One of the main reasons is that having a dedicated place to go for work helps them maintain the line between work and home life.
There’s nothing wrong with putting in extra works hours when needed, sometimes deadlines are tight, or you need to work when you are most productive. If that’s 11 p.m. or 10 a.m. on a Sunday, then you do you. One of the benefits of freelancing, working from home, or being an entrepreneur is flexible hours. But if extra work becomes more the rule than the exception, then your home life may suffer. Having a coworking space helps you keep that line.
Coworking Spaces Give You Collaboration and Networking Opportunities
Remote work sounded great when you first started. But then, it got lonely. No face-to-face interaction with coworkers. As much as we think we’d like to go off on our own, we are social beings. While some are more social than others, we all need some professional interaction and communication, whether it is collaborating on projects, mentorship, and learning, or career growth. Many coworking spaces provide members access to educational events that accelerate their productivity and expand their network. Events such as panel discussions, lunch and learns, or office parties.
When remote workers are surrounded by a diverse community of talented and skilled professionals from many types of businesses, they thrive. In addition to planned events, there are endless opportunities for knowledge-sharing over coffee or lunch, informal brainstorming sessions, and personal and professional development. The value that coworking spaces bring is transforming businesses throughout the world.
