The traditional orientation that people had about work was resuming in the morning and closing in the evening, expecting a remuneration at the end of the month. However, work-life has shifted from that phase and people can now work whenever they want and wherever they choose to work. This means that as a freelancer, you can vastly contribute to the growth of a business without having to be in an office and according to various surveys and experts, freelancers represent over 35% and 40% of the workforce at the moment.
It is also predicted that by 2030, freelancers could represent over 80%of the global workforce. This shows that long gone are the days of traditional office as most people prefer to earn as freelancers rather than doing the regular 9-5. Most freelancers prefer to work at home, however, that does come with its disadvantages. These disadvantages have made coworking spaces a better work environment than working from home. In this article, we will reveal to you why many freelancers are choosing coworking spaces to do their jobs, why you should do the same, and how a coworking space can transform the way you do your job.
Flexible environment
One of the major benefits of coworking spaces is the flexibility it offers you. Many coworking spaces, such as coworking spaces Chicago, offer various membership options and payment plans. Members are free to go weekly, daily, and monthly and this means that you do not have to stick to a rigid work plan or time. Moreover, they offer you all the optimal conditions, such as having the right tools for your work or installing an HVAC system for getting the right room temperature.
Finding the best time to work is one of the strong suits of any freelancer. Knowing the time of the day when you are most productive will help you to properly plan your personal and work life. As a result of this, most coworking spaces are usually open for 24 hours, and all that freelancers have to do is decide on a time that fits their schedule and lifestyle. And since you only work at times that suit you, this will prevent you from burnout, hence ensuring that you get work done and still beat that deadline.
Enhance your productivity
There are a lot of ways in which working from home can negatively affect a freelancer’s productivity. You could feel comfortable because you are at home and end up procrastinating on the jobs that you are supposed to do. It is harder to give undivided attention to your work when you are working from home because of the long list of distractions that freelancers encounter while working from home.
Working in a coworking space takes you out of your comfort zone and ensures that you are not tempted by the various distractions in your homes such as your favourite web series or those mid-day naps. Being part of a coworking space eliminates the distraction and helps you focus solely on the job you have to do. Also, working at home can make you feel isolated and less motivated.
On the other hand, if you choose coworking, working in the same environment with like-minded people will make you push yourself and make you more productive. Being in the same environment with other freelancers like yourself is an advantage that most freelancers are unaware of. Even if you feel unmotivated to work, seeing other freelancers focused on their job will provoke you to attend to your work. You will also feel motivated to start training, learning something new, or making use of a chatbot to acquire new information.
Boost in creativity
Working from home can cause a block, that is, inability to work because a freelancer cannot come up with an original idea. This lack of creativity affects virtually all freelancers, especially writers and creators. As a member of a coworking space, you get to work in a relaxed atmosphere, and the environment also offers you a change of scenery.
The change of scenery will refresh your mind, and this will in turn enhance your creativity by enriching your ability to leap between diverse ideas. You will finally be able to write that blog post or use a video maker to visually present your business plan. Being a part of a coworking community also gives you an opportunity to interact with various other people. These conversations will allow you to see things from other perspectives, expand your professional outlook and develop new ways to complete your client’s job.
Separation of work and private life
One major disadvantage of working at home is that it makes it difficult for you to separate your work life from your private life. Working from home can make it difficult for you to fully concentrate on your job due to household chores and if you have kids, childcare needs can also hinder you from performing at your best. Some freelancers like to set up a makeshift office for themselves at home where they can work without being distracted. They agree with their family members to maintain decorum while they are working.
However, in one way or the other, they end up being distracted and it affects their productivity. For some freelancers, there isn’t just enough space in their homes to set up a home office or the home office cannot collect the necessary equipment needed to work. A coworking space removes all these distractions and provides you with that ideal working environment that may be lacking in your home. It takes you away from any other responsibility and allows you to focus solely on your job.
Opportunity to network and socialise
Networking as a freelancer is a very important activity. Since the job requires working by yourself, you will not get to meet people like you if you are working from home. It is very crucial for freelancers to meet other freelancers and learn. As freelancers, you can get new job opportunities, hacks and tools that can help you work easier, and so on. While working at home undoubtedly has its own benefits, it deprives you of a chance to socialize and meet new people or fellow freelancers. However, as a member of a coworking space, you can socialize and network with various members of the coworking community.
Hence, you can learn and share ideas with them, and keep you updated with new developments in your field and in the freelancing world. This way evaluating software development partners becomes easy as you get first-hand experience of their work. This also gives you an opportunity to build new relationships and this is the major reason why many cities such as Nashville are building coworking spaces to fill the gap in human relationships that have been created by Covid-19. There are several coworking spaces in Nashville. Feel free to utilize them and hopefully meet other freelancers like you!
Conclusion
Coworking is the future of workspaces as it allows freelancers and other professionals to have an all-inclusive space where they can concentrate, be more productive and ultimately achieve their full potential. Take your time to choose a coworking community that fits your work style, your techniques, and your personality. You must consider the amenities of the coworking space, pick a space that doesn’t overshoot your budget, and ensure that the space has adequate security.
