Coworking? 13 reasons why

Friday the 13th. Bad luck? No. We make it your lucky day with these insights about coworking.

It’s never easy to find that perfect working environment. At home there’s distraction all around and a standard office lacks inspiration and energy. You need a place where you can focus, drink quality coffee and that gives you energy and a great vibe. Let us tell you why.

1. The distraction-free environment
Anyone who has worked from home will agree that the biggest drawback of working from home is the abundance of distractions it offers. When you are comfortably lounged on your sofa and have your kids, pets, family chores, visitors, and a lot of other home-related matters drawing your attention, work is bound to suffer. It can also happen that when you work from home, you are tempted to spend a couple of hours watching the TV or catching up with the latest series on Netflix. A shared office space ensures a distraction-free environment and also lets you separate work from home.

2. The sum is greater than its parts
Whether you work for yourself or a larger company, coworking can allow you to tap into the minds and experience of others across various industries. From conducting user test groups with members to simply asking the opinion of someone sitting next to you, insight is there for the taking.

3. The networking
Coworking spaces are a melting pot of people with varied talents and belonging to different professional backgrounds. Being a part of such an environment opens up the opportunities to network and get in touch with people who might be relevant for your business or work.

4. The low cost and flexibility
If you are considering renting office space, you will have to be financially ready to not just rent the space but spend on installing the required infrastructure and then maintaining them as well. With coworking space, you save on the cost and the hassles of renting and managing office space.

5. The expert advice
Most coworking spaces organize different kinds of events and programs to help co-workers gain a better foothold in their respective industries and become successful (also at Watt Factory!). As a member of a coworking space, you get to attend such programs and events without any extra cost. Apart from such events, you can also ask for expert professional advice from the talented people surrounding you when you face a roadblock in your work.

6. The change of pace
We know cubicles and fluorescent lights do it for some people, but what employee wouldn’t want a change of scenery? Coworking spaces tend to have a more open, collaborative floor plan with quirky architectural features. This can help break up the day-to-day monotony of corporate settings. They also provide a range of flexible workspaces, from open area to office suites.

7. The interdisciplinary awareness
In life, one of the hardest things is learning what you don’t know. One of the quickest ways to learn this is to interact with people from different backgrounds and disciplines, day-to-day. Coworking forces you to leave your bubble and ideally work with others who know what you don’t. After all, nothing you create will ever exist in a vacuum.

8. The energy
We know not everyone believes in vibes or Feng Shui, but you are undoubtedly affected by your workspace. The average person spends roughly one third of their life working. Personally, we want to enjoy where I’m spending this time. Most coworking spaces have a good balance of productive space and collaborative areas where you can “feel” creativity and innovation taking place.

9. The community
When working in a traditional office, it’s hard to see how your company impacts the local community. A lot of coworking spaces position themselves as community hubs that help drive local business and establish mutually beneficial relationships. This can even translate into member discounts at local restaurants and shops. At Watt Factory for example, all members have a discount at Woest, the diner next to us. 

Another important aspect of coworking spaces are the activities. Activities organized for the coworkers to create that community feeling. At Watt Factory for example, we have our lunch breaks together, we organise Thirsty Thursdays, Watt’s for Breakfast Sessions, End of Summer BBQ’s, yoga, an annual ping-pong tournament and much more! 

10. The coffee
Not only the coffee (although he is very good, at Watt Factory anyway), but everything. Because unlike traditional offices, coworking spaces ensure that you work in a comfortable environment. By a comfortable space, we mean access to all facilities such as refrigerator, microwave, internet, coffee machines, lockers, printers, and of course, parking space, and all that for free or a very nominal cost. Add to that a bright and cheerful ambiance, dotted with ergonomic chairs where you can sit and work for hours without straining your backbone.

11. The loneliness
Or better: avoiding the loneliness. It’s often said the life of an entrepreneur can be a lonely one. Working alone is isolating and can have a negative effect on your mental wellbeing. Interactions in a work environment are an important part of daily life. Though you’ll be working on your own business, a coworking space surrounds you with like-minded people who have picked an independent lifestyle that matches yours. It will leave you feeling energized, social, and happy.

12. The total job control and job flexibility
You have more job control when you work at a coworking space. Coworking spaces are normally accessible 24/7. People can decide whether to put in a long day when they have a deadline or want to show progress, or can decide to take a long break in the middle of the day to go to the gym. They can choose whether they want to work in a quiet space so they can focus, or in a more collaborative space with shared tables where interaction is encouraged. They can even decide to work from home, without repercussion, if they need to meet a repairperson or deal with a family member need.

13. The coffeeshop without the uncertainty 
Working in a coffee shop sounds nice. But finding that perfect coffee shop that isn't too crowded or loud? Not so nice. This can create uncertainty and frustration, since you will find yourself running from one coffee shop to another hoping that today the internet is going to work. In case you have to make calls, the noise in coffee shops can be frustrating, while coworking spaces usually have isolated phone booths and conference rooms for you to use. Coworking gives your life stability.

Did these 13 reasons make you curious about coworking spaces? Do you want to give it a try? Come and take a look at our coworking space in Ghent! Get in touch.

Sources: becomenomad.com, medium.com, theofficepass.comm