Rapid advances in technology and communications has changed the way we do business, and telecommuting has become a common work arrangement for many companies. With the rise of telecommuting is the increase of coworking spaces. How do you know if working in a coworking space is for you? Here are a few points to consider.
Structure and Boundaries
One of the biggest drawbacks of telecommuting is the lack of structure and boundaries. Without setting clear boundaries, the lines between work and your personal life can get very blurred and make it difficult for you to strike a healthy work-life balance. A coworking space like the shared offices at the Common Desk can help provide much needed structure to your work.
The Common Desk strives to provide telecommuters, freelancers, remote workers and small business owners with a comfortable yet stimulating environment where they can concentrate and focus on their work without distractions to slow them down. They have a virtual office in Deep Ellum, Plano and Fort Worth, TX, as well as several other locations. If you live in the area, this may be the best option for you.
Amenities
Coworking spaces usually come fully equipped with all the amenities you’d need to be productive and comfortable as you work. Many coworking spaces offer state of the art video and audio conferencing equipment, as well as the latest computers, monitors, printers and the like.
Most of them also offer coffee and/or snacks to replenish you and keep you comfortable during breaks.
Community
One of the best things about working at a coworking space is that it gives you the chance to meet and interact with other like minded individuals. Interacting with and collaborating with motivated and driven individuals can stimulate your own creativity and boost your own productivity.
The community you may find at a coworking space can be a valuable resource, especially if you are a small business owner or if networking is a big part of your work. Working at a coworking space with similar others can keep you from feeling isolated and burnt out, which is a common ailment of those who work from home or in remote environments with limited interaction with other workers.
Motivation
Simply being surrounded by other people who are hard at work can motivate you and make you more productive, even if you don’t interact with them much or form any connections. Coworking spaces provide the right environment and atmosphere that drives you to work, as opposed to working from home or in a coffee shop, where you may be distracted or tempted to slack off when no one is watching.
You can enjoy the best of both worlds at a coworking space: enough freedom to do your work at your own pace and in a style that suits you best, and just enough structure to keep your work life from spilling over into your personal life. These factors combined may motivate you to be more productive and more engaged in your work than if you were to work in a traditional office.
