In the wake of the coronavirus pandemic, many companies have taken steps to make the transition to a more permanent remote work structure. Remote work has become the norm for many organizations, and there’s no sign of it slowing down.
For many employees, the most significant change is that their work is now done entirely from home. They no longer need to commute to the office, and their work hours can be more flexible. Many people love this new form of working from home.
But remote work isn’t for everyone. For a lot of people, the hybrid model of working has resulted in decreased productivity. Employees have started feeling disconnected from their team and are struggling against loneliness. This has taken a toll on their mental and physical health. But sometimes, despite being in a situation like that, you just can’t help because your company has decided to go fully remote with no requirement for your physical presence in the office.
If you work for a company like that and are tired of working from home, just stop worrying and join a coworking space. In this post, we’ll tell you why remote workers like you need to join a coworking space. But before that, let’s take a quick look at what exactly is a coworking space.
What is a Coworking Space?
A coworking space is a shared workspace where independent professionals and sometimes small teams can come together to work on their own projects. In simple words, it’s a common workspace that’s shared by professionals from different businesses.
But it’s not just an office space. It’s a lot more than that. It’s a community that offers you a productive, vibrant, and collaborative work environment where you don’t just work but collaborate, network and have fun while working.
This type of environment often offers a variety of amenities such as meeting rooms, cafés, conference halls, phone booths, sleeping pods, gaming zone, couriers, print and stationary facilities, and a lot more. Coworking spaces are typically open to anyone and provide an opportunity for networking and collaboration with other professionals.
The best thing about coworking spaces is that it’s not what a traditional office stands for. These spaces usually have no constraints or rules that a typical office does.
Gail Palethorpe, writer & world traveler, beautifully describes coworking spaces as “a space where you can hang out slurping on espresso, take an impromptu nap in a hammock, thrash a partner at a game of ping-pong or totally immerse yourself in your own world of work. You can bounce ideas off someone else’s brain; you can learn a new tech skill or find yourself a mentor or an investor that believes in your idea.” She aptly describes a coworking space as the new way of working, where you have the freedom to pick where in the world you want to be when you want to work and who you wish to surround yourself with.
Sounds like a community you would want to join? Wait, that’s just the fun part of being part of a coworking community. There are several other benefits you can enjoy from being a part of it. Let’s look at some of them.
Why Join a Coworking Space?
You must have already gotten an idea of what a coworking space is. But it’s not just about being in a space where you break free from the traditional work environments and make working from the office more fun. It’s a lot more than that. So here are a few reasons why remote and hybrid workers should join a coworking space.
1. Productivity Boost
Working from home or any place else can be fun and liberating. But this feeling doesn’t last for long. After a point in time, you start realizing that working remotely can be distracting, especially when you work from home. It can be difficult to stay focused on your task when there are so many distractions in the home, such as the television, children, or pets.
Sometimes it may be difficult to separate work and home life when the two are so intertwined. Also, it’s not easy to stay motivated without the structure and support of an office environment.
By working from a coworking office, you can overcome all of these. By joining a coworking space, you can have the supportive environment and the resources needed to boost your productivity. These spaces offer a community of like-minded individuals who can share ideas, collaborate, and provide encouragement.
Besides, these spaces also provide access to amenities such as desks, printers, Wi-Fi, and even refreshments. This helps you create a comfortable and productive atmosphere which is very important for better efficiency.
Sometimes you may want to work at a particular time of the day. For example, you may want to start your work at 2 pm in the afternoon because it’s you identify it as your productive hour or because your work hours are based on a different time zone. Coworking offices often have flexible hours, allowing people to work when it is most convenient for them.
2. Networking Opportunities
Another benefit of working from a coworking space is that it offers great networking opportunities. It’s a very powerful platform to meet other professionals and build relationships with them. This can help you gain access to new business or job opportunities, collaborations, and shared resources.
Many coworking spaces hosts events, such as workshops and seminars. By attending these events, you can learn from industry experts and expand your professional network. Besides, these spaces also often offer amenities like shared office supplies and coffee, which can help to foster an atmosphere of creativity and collaboration.
3. Affordable Space
Coworking spaces are usually much more affordable than traditional office spaces. This is especially true for entrepreneurs who have just started their businesses and don’t have the budget to rent a full-fledged traditional office. Having a traditional office would mean paying for the space, electricity, furniture, housekeeping, and a lot more. This doesn’t happen when you’re working out of a coworking space.
Many coworking spaces offer monthly memberships at a fraction of the cost of renting an office. This includes several essential amenities such as high-speed internet, a kitchen or a cafeteria, meeting rooms, conference rooms, courier and printing facilities, unlimited coffee, housekeeping staff, etc.
This makes them an ideal option for freelancers, entrepreneurs, and remote workers who are looking for an affordable workspace. So instead of spending the money in all of these things by opening a traditional office, you can simply rent a coworking space and save the money for your business. Depending on your requirements, you might want to rent a dedicated desk, a shared desk, a cabin, etc. Plus, you get all the amenities as complementary service.
4. Flexible Working Hours
Coworking spaces offer more flexible hours than traditional office spaces, which can be especially useful if you’re a freelancer or a small business. Many coworking spaces offer flexible timing allowing members to come and go as they, please. Depending on the type of membership chosen, members may be able to access the space 24/7 or during specific hours.
Some spaces even offer access to members outside of normal office hours. You can choose to work from the space on a full-time or part-time basis, and you can also move if your needs change.
5. Strong Sense of Community
Working remotely can sometimes make you feel detached from your colleagues and can make you feel lonely. By joining a coworking space, you can overcome this feeling and have a strong sense of community and belongingness.
Here you can have the opportunity to interact with other like-minded professionals, network with potential clients, and build relationships with fellow members. You can also find professionals to collaborate on projects, share ideas, and learn from each other. This offers a strong sense of camaraderie, and if you’re lucky, you can even make some great friends.
Over to You
Working remotely or being part of a hybrid model can sound like a fun and cool thing. But it has its downsides too. If you, too, are struggling from those downsides, joining a coworking space can help you get back on track. Many remote companies cover workstation expenses for their employees. If you don’t have the budget to rent a coworking space, you can reach out to your company and ask them to cover the expenses for you.
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