The benefits of working at a coworking space are plenty! Coworking spaces offer a full spectrum of benefits for self-starters, right from networking opportunities to improved productivity, and so much more!
In this article we’ll cover:
- What Is Coworking?
- How Does Coworking ‘work’?
- The 5 Main Benefits of Working At A Coworking Space
- How To Get Started Coworking
First up, if you live and [work] in Canberra, be sure to check out our two coworking locations. We may just be the peanut to your jelly. At JAGA we offer serviced offices, private meeting rooms, memberships for coworkers (including monthly and daily options). Plus our award-winning spaces are designed to help you increase your productivity, creativity and support you in your business growth [really, we care about our member’s success]. Be sure to check out our two locations here.
What Is Coworking?
The modern concept of working with other independent people in a shared space successively is referred to as “coworking”. Within the concept of coworking, a coworking space is designed to offer its diverse occupants an interactive and productive environment.
Think plenty of natural light, dedicated desk area to get-it-done, office spaces, meeting rooms, shared areas, kitchens packed with all the tea and coffee you can imagine…you know, all the good things you want in a work environment.
If you wish to escape the solitude of your home-based office or the bustle of your neighbourhood coffee shop, then coworking could be your new *thing*
How does Coworking Work?
Coworking feeds into a viable business model while serving a great concept – providing an innovative workspace for people who need it and a place wherein work gets done.
The concept of coworking goes beyond the meaning of a shared working space itself. Its working philosophy is deep-rooted in allowing people to come together for ensuring that the work gets completed happily, workers get to interact with each other, work relationships are formed and businesses thrive. Irrespective of the job or the background, a coworking environment offers individuals a personal, professional working space to focus effectively. It also delivers access to ample networking opportunities along with an often much-needed social element.
There are several models on which a coworking space tends to work:
- The membership model: Most coworking spaces come with a daily, weekly or monthly membership.
- The walk-in model: If an individual only wants to use a certain amenity for a specific time, say a meeting room for four hours, they can do that and only pay for that service.
Coworking Benefits
More than a working trend, the phenomenon of coworking is fuelled by rapid changes in our modern working culture. Well before lockdowns had us all zooming, flexible working and remote working was becoming increasingly popular. The advancements of technology, the growth of solopreneurs, side-hustlers and digital nomads, plus the freelancer economy has seen coworking spaces serve to be thriving ecosystems for a wave of not-so-traditional 9-to-5ers.
The 5 Main Benefits of Coworking You Should Know About
1. Coworking helps to reduce loneliness whilst improving connection
Humans crave connection. Coworking spaces surround professionals with a network of like-minded people. Whilst each worker may be working on their own projects, being surrounded by other industrious people helps in reducing the loneliness that can come from working from your home office day after day, week after week.
Even irrelevant interactions tend to have a major impact on your daily sense of connection with your community. A small, friendly conversation with your coworking neighbour, the receptionist or the barista can heighten your happiness quota. And a happy worker, is a productive one!
2. Coworking helps to improve productivity
A recent study observed that 84% of coworkers revealed that working in a coworking environment made them feel highly motivated. Source.
During a typical workday, your overall energy levels and focus tend to fluctuate significantly, right from the morning hustle to the mid-day slump. Thankfully, your coworking space is capable of accommodating these highs and lows. Usually, a coworking environment blends a wide range of working areas together, catering to diverse working styles.
Are you a stay-at-your-desk and get the work done for hours type? You can do that.
Do you prefer to brainstorm and collaborate with your team over a coffee or boardroom then get to work? You can do that too.
Do you find your best results come from sitting down in a communal area and talking through some ideas with a friend before putting pen to paper? That can happen as well.
Simply, coworking spaces are designed for improved productivity. This is because they offer greater variety in comparison to a traditional office setting. Moreover, they also provide more structure in comparison to working from home.
In working spaces that are designed specifically, progress comes quite easily and naturally. Moreover, intangibles including background music, ample natural lighting and moderate temperature conditions are all responsible for keeping you energised as well as refreshed throughout.
Yes, your local coworking space is more than meets the eye. Your local coworking space will help you get done what you need to get done!
3. Coworking promotes work-life balance and wellness
When you exercise during your working hours, it is linked with improved cognitive ability and increased productivity. Moreover, activities including yoga and meditation can help in fuelling focus and driving creativity. Coworking spaces are mostly known to include unique design elements including expansive indoor lounges and internal staircases for encouraging movement throughout the working hours.
Some coworking spaces (like us at JAGA) offer access to dedicated wellness rooms for meditation or group activities. Some even offer on-site showers for post-workouts and planned group exercise activities.
4. The surprising relationship between coworking and mental health
The relationship between mental health and work is something we should pay attention to. Typically, when you work alone for long periods of time, you can become easily stressed, have unproductive days, find it hard to stay motivated and on track. Most independent workers following the work-from-home culture feel this all too keenly. Add to that a sense of isolation and suddenly, stress levels can rise, even leading to depression and anxiety.
Coworking, on the other hand, helps in establishing a healthier and peaceful work-life balance. Coworking offers options that don’t exist at home. If you feel the need to change your space you can get up, go to the cafe, find another worker to talk to, find an area to relax, calm down, and reduce your overall stress levels. When you have someone working at your side, it leads to better work engagement, improved job satisfaction, and increased productivity.
5. Coworking builds community and strengthens your sense of belonging
Challenges appear simpler when you have a team of like-minded people around you for both emotional as well as physical support. Collaboration and communication in a coworking space are of utmost importance.
A coworking space like JAGA breeds community. It’s in our company ethos to cultivate an environment where business owners, freelancers and workers can truly work together to achieve their goals and grow their businesses. Every individual, right from the person sitting at the hot desk near you or the one greeting you every day, can help in adding to your sense of community and belonging. When you indulge in planned community conferences or events, you can come across inspiration and connections in a highly energetic environment.
How To Get Started Coworking
Whether you are a freelancer working independently, a worker managing a remote team, or a home-based worker who wishes to change up your work style and become a productivity beast – get in touch with your local coworking space today.
At JAGA, our coworking environments (we have two locations to choose from: JAGA Swanson Court, Belconnen and JAGA Allara Street Canberra City. They are both set up to provide flexible memberships to meet various requirements and teams. Solo? Team of two? Just want us for our meeting rooms? We get it. We’ve got you covered.