How to harness the new work environment and find freedom in coworking

To say that the way we work is changing would be an understatement. 2020 has been a year of constant change and unknowns, wildly impacting the work life of nearly every business and forcing everyone to rewire what “normal” looks like in the workplace.

Learning to adjust and be flexible is the new skill we all must work on. While these skills have long been valued, they have become increasingly more important in a world where school schedules keep changing and social distancing rules can morph at any minute. The workplace may not feel so traditional anymore, and as a coworking space we’re okay with non-traditional. 

Whether you are just discovering coworking or you have been working at a coworking space for years, your work life has certainly faced some hurdles this year. Today, we have a few tips to help you discover (or re-discover) freedom in coworking. 

Be okay with a different schedule

Coworking spaces have long been an environment for non-traditional schedules. A coworking space doesn't confine the work schedule to any particular set of rules. You can work 11-7, or work Tuesday through Saturday, or spend a couple days of the week working as a freelancer. 

With the changes in school and work structures, many workers will be balancing parent responsibilities and a work life. An alternative schedule will become much more normal with coworkers showing up early or staying late. 

Learning to roll with the punches and assume an alternative schedule has become important for every worker, whether balancing a new load of responsibilities or just trying to accommodate other coworkers.

Create a regular routine

Whether you are sticking with a traditional 9-5 schedule or you are trying to squeeze work in wherever it fits, establishing a routine is essential for success. A coworking space allows for flexibility in routine, but that doesn't mean routine should be thrown away. 

Instead, feel free to establish the routine that works for your life and schedule. Coworking allows for the reimagining of the standard work routine, meaning you can find and establish routine whatever your schedule.

Minimize distractions

Many coworking space members are accustomed to balancing a lot of plates. Whether they are entrepreneurs, work-from-home employees, or some combination of the two, focus can easily be spread thin. 

Learning to find help in the coworking space and its features is the key to minimizing distractions. Find the spot that gives you less distractions. Take advantage of the less busy hours in your space to find focus. Organize work parties to work alongside coworkers and separate work and social time. A coworking space offers the flexibility to find focus in a way that works for you.

Incorporate variety into your day

Routine is certainly important, but the right dosage of variety can be quite the helpful tool, as well. Work in one spot in the morning and switch to a new space after lunch. Stand while working for a couple hours instead of sitting. Try a new drink to reward the completion of a more difficult task. 

Balancing routine and variety is the key to finding success as a worker. While the exact levels of this balance may change as our work environment continues to evolve, learning to adjust your balance as you go will empower you to find success and freedom in coworking. 

By mastering these skills with flexibility and balance, we can all learn to enter the changing workplace and find freedom in coworking.