Success isn’t easy to achieve, which is why forward-thinking professionals are always ready to listen when told about a new route they can take to make the path to success a little smoother. The latest hot tip? Coworking spaces. Rumor has it that these shared workspaces can help to make their members more successful in a variety of ways…and science is now wholeheartedly backing this claim up.
How, exactly, can a coworking space make you more successful? Read on as Circle Hub shares what the science has to say.
A Boost in Productivity
Productivity and success are very much intertwined. The more productive you are, the better your output and efficiency, meaning the more success you’ll have in meeting the various goals that you’ve set for yourself.
There are numerous ways in which you can boost your productivity, and joining a coworking space is a big one. Various studies have been carried out on this topic, and they all point to the same results: coworking spaces provide a productivity surge like no other. They do so much more for your productivity than a home office, and they’re better in this regard than many ‘regular’ offices too.
How do coworking spaces manage to make an individual so much more productive? It comes down to a few different factors:
- Motivation and energy – the vibrant atmosphere of a coworking space, along with how you’ll be surrounded by other hardworking and productive professionals, is extremely motivating.
- Workspace flexibility – while shared workspaces (known as Hot Spots at Circle Hub) are the heart of coworking, coworking spaces offer other types of workspaces too, such as private office suites. Being able to pick and choose exactly where you work based on the tasks that you’re working on that day will enable you to function more efficiently.
- Flexible working hours – some people are more productive in the mornings, while others are more productive at night. A coworking space that’s open 24/7, like Circle Hub, will give you the opportunity to work during your most productive hours.
- Access to amenities – a good coworking space will have a variety of productivity-boosting amenities available to its members.
Improved Creativity
While the link between productivity and success is an obvious one, many don’t realize that creativity is also strongly tied to both personal and professional success. The more creative you are, the more innovative you’ll be. You’ll be better equipped to adapt to change and will be able to solve problems more efficiently.
Again, this is where coworking spaces shine – they help you to be more creative. The science backs this up, showing that coworking spaces tend to offer an environment that’s highly conducive to creativity. Yet again, this comes down to a combination of different factors:
- An inspiring environment – open plan layouts flooded with natural light and dotted with a mix of stimulating colors and natural greenery tend to be the norm for many coworking spaces. They provide an undeniably inspiring ambience – one that encourages creativity to flow!
- Flexibility – being able to pick and choose where you work, even if this only involves switching up your window view each day, can help boost creativity.
- Cross-pollination – being able to share thoughts and ideas with other professionals can make you think in a more innovative way.
- Ergonomics – coworking spaces are designed to boost comfort and focus. Both help to foster a sense of creativity.
Ease of Networking and Building Connections
Whether you love it or hate it, there’s no getting away from the fact that networking is closely tied to success. Studies have found that professionals who put effort into networking experience more success and also have a higher productivity rate than those who don’t.
While there are various networking opportunities out there, joining a coworking space streamlines things. You won’t need to put quite as much effort into actively networking since every interaction that you have with other members at your coworking space could count as such.
The best part is that coworking spaces are filled with such a diverse range of people. You’ll be able to meet professionals from an array of backgrounds, which will make your own professional network much richer overall.
Here are a few tips for effectively networking at a coworking space, in a way that will help boost your success:
- Be approachable and maintain an open body language.
- Engage in casual conversations with others, asking open-ended questions whenever possible.
- Make the most of common areas, like the kitchen or break rooms. It’s much more appropriate to network here than in an actual workspace where other people are trying to concentrate.
- Attend networking events. At Circle Hub, we have a variety of casual events that our members can attend free of charge.
- Offer assistance to others whenever you can. Sharing resources or information is a great way to network.
- Always follow up after initially making a new connection.
A More Professional Image
Do you really need to appear professional in order to be successful? Not necessarily, but it definitely helps! The more professional you’re perceived to be, the more trustworthy and competent you’ll seem. Colleagues, clients, investors, and more will be much happier to work with you if you have a professional image, which will bring you greater success.
How does a coworking space help with this? If your only other option is working from home, it’s easy to see how a coworking space can give you more credibility. Working from a reputable professional environment, as opposed to a home office, will immediately improve your image and help to foster a sense of trust from others. Even something as simple as hosting a client meeting will look better when done from a professional conference room instead of your local coffee shop.
If you’ve been thinking about leasing your own private office for this reason, a coworking space will once again come out on top for many. Private leases can be pricey, and unless you’re able to afford a prestigious address, swish decor, front desk staff, and all of the other professional perks that are included with a coworking space, a small and dingy office is never going to be able to compete!
Better Mental Health
These days, many professionals find themselves struggling with mental health. This is an issue for a few reasons, one being that good mental health is linked to success in a number of ways, from career advancement to financial well-being. The better your mental health is, the more you’ll experience the following:
- Increased productivity
- Improved focus and concentration
- Enhanced creativity
- More resilience and adaptability
- Job satisfaction
- Stronger emotional intelligence
- Better leadership skills
How can a coworking space help?
For starters, coworking spaces provide a sense of community that reduces feelings of loneliness and isolation. This is particularly important for remote workers and freelancers, who can often go about their day without needing to interact with other people. Providing an opportunity for social interaction enables a coworking space to help improve a professional’s mental health.
Many coworking spaces, including Circle Hub, also try to encourage members to build a healthy work-life balance. This is something else that significantly influences mental health. Stress-busting amenities, such as the on-site gym and gaming room at Circle Hub, can also help a person to feel mentally balanced.
A Healthier Bank Balance
Are you familiar with the phrase, “you need to spend money in order to make money”? In many ways, this is true. The more financially stable you are, the more you’ll be able to invest in career development. Plus, not having to worry about finances, especially when it comes to meeting your basic needs, has been shown to reduce stress, improve focus, and increase productivity.
How does this relate to coworking? It all comes down to how coworking spaces are often the most cost-effective solution if you want a professional base to work from. Sure, working from home may seem cheaper at first. However, once you take into account all of the extra perks that a coworking space throws in, this isn’t always the case.
At a coworking space, you’ll have access to a variety of amenities and perks. From high-speed WiFi to free coffee to an on-site gym that’s available for you to use whenever you need it, all of these things would have otherwise come at a cost to you, and those costs can quickly mount.
Professionals tend to find that they make big savings after signing up to a coworking space. The healthier bank balance that they enjoy then sets them up for better professional success.
Coworking at Circle Hub
Want to experience the surge in success that can come from being a part of a coworking space? Circle Hub’s coworking spaces are the perfect way to get started. We currently have two locations, one in Ventura and one in Northridge. Both boast a variety of workspaces, from shared workspaces to private offices, enabling you to pick the one that best works for you. They each also have a variety of different amenities that are geared toward making your working day easier and making you a more successful professional overall.
While those who are new to coworking may seem intimidated at first at the thought of joining a coworking space, our spaces have an on-site community manager who will help to make that transition easier. Our members are also extremely welcoming and friendly – we definitely have that community feel that coworking spaces are loved for!
Want to find out more about the coworking spaces available from Circle Hub? Click here to book yourself in for a tour today!