Why is coworking so effective? Here are eight reasons:
1. Coworking spaces are designed to help you do your best work on any given day.
That means there are different zones and amenities for taking calls, having a meeting, working quietly, working in community spaces, etc. This flexibility to work in an area that works for you is a great way to stay engaged throughout the day, focus when you need to, connect when you’re able, and generally enjoy the work day more.
2. Coworking supports a flexible work schedule.
Whether you’re an early bird with calls in different time zones, a night owl who programs into the wee hours, a 9-to-5er with a predictable schedule, or someone whose schedule changes every day or week, coworking can work for you.
3. The best coworking spaces are hubs of belonging.
And community coworking spaces do this better than anyone. Belonging extends beyond just knowing how the coffee machine works or what the next events are. Belonging means you can bring your whole self to the space, you’ll be welcomed into the community as a friend, you can participate (or not) in ways that work for you, and it feels like your home away from home.
4. Coworking is a third place.
Third places are those places that aren’t home and aren’t work. Coworking, while technically a workspace, goes far beyond that and is, ideally, a nice third place where members and the extended community can learn, share, and connect.
5. Coworking spaces are collaborative.
Collaboration is a core part of coworking, going back to the earliest days. Members, whether freelancers, solopreneurs, business owners, startups, remote workers, teams, entrepreneurs, creatives, and everything in-between, can tap into a wealth and diversity of expertise, interests, and skillsets that naturally lend themselves to collaboration.
6. Coworking spaces are neighborhood hubs.
The best coworking spaces have communities that extend far beyond the walls of their space. They are hubs for the neighborhood, town, region, and beyond. Having a robust extended community means more networking, more collaboration, and more opportunities for connection.
7. A great coworking space is designed for comfort, connection and elevated work.
Members are in their home coworking space day after day, week after week, month after month, year after year. Stiff spaces that look good in photos but don’t actually function well on a day-to-day basis are not great coworking spaces.
8. Community managers and the coworking team are part of the coworking community.
This is a key part of being a robust, engaged coworking community. The community managers don’t build community from above, or from beyond the circle of members, they build it with members. Community managers are an active, engaged part of a coworking community.
The Coworking Letter
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