There’s no denying that a coworking space can do wonders for a person’s productivity. This is, in fact, one of the main reasons why shared workspaces have become so popular lately.
However, while that may be the case, you may find yourself dealing with a few challenges when you first make the move to a coworking space. If you aren’t used to this type of environment or working with background activity, you might notice that, initially, your productivity takes a dip.
The good news is that it’s very easy to get your productivity levels soaring once again. Follow the tips and tricks below that Circle Hub has gathered together and you should soon find yourself working better and faster than ever before.
Choose the Right Desk
The beauty of shared workspaces is that you’re able to turn up whenever you want, grab an available desk, and get to work. This practice is known as hot desking, or Hot Spots at Circle Hub. However, while you may be tempted to reach for whichever desk happens to be nearest to you, your choice of desk will have a big impact on how productive you are that day.
Take a look around a shared workspace and you’ll notice that some of the desks are in high-traffic areas while others are in quieter nooks. Both have their pros and cons – the key is to choose a desk that’s suitable for your tasks for the day. If you need inspiration or feedback from others, those high-traffic areas would be perfect. Meanwhile, if you’re looking for peace and quiet with minimal distractions, a desk situated in a quiet corner would be more conducive to productivity.
Eliminate Distractions
Speaking of distractions…
At a good coworking space, this will rarely be an issue. At Circle Hub, for example, we have an on-site community manager who ensures that members adhere to the rules, which includes keeping noise levels to a minimum so that everyone can work in peace.
With that said, there are also other steps that you can take to eliminate distractions. Noise-canceling headphones are one. Not only will these block out any background noises but they’re also widely recognized in shared workspaces as a sign that the headphone-wearer doesn’t want to be disturbed.
Again, your choice of desk will also influence how exposed you are to distractions. If you need complete privacy, many coworking spaces also offer options other than common shared workspaces. At Circle Hub, you could opt for one of our private offices, whether you need it for a few hours or a few days. These fully-enclosed spaces provide complete privacy. Turn to them whenever you need some seclusion and then return to our shared workspaces once you’re ready to soak up the inspirational ambiance that our hot spots offer!
Take Regular Breaks
Many wrongly assume that breaks are counterintuitive to productivity. It’s easy to understand this mindset. After all, taking lots of breaks throughout the day cuts back on the amount of time that you spend working.
However, productivity isn’t solely about quantity. The quality of your work matters too. Sometimes, you can be more productive in an hour than you can in an entire day, and this is the energy that you want to harness if you’re hoping to keep your productivity levels at an all-time high.
This is where regular breaks can really help. Research confirms that this can significantly improve productivity while also giving creativity and physical health a boost. Taking breaks reduces stress levels too, which, again, bumps up productivity.
The breaks that you take don’t need to be long in order to have this effect. Micro-breaks, which last for just a few minutes, are often enough to reset and recharge the brain, so long as they’re taken regularly.
Keep Your Workspace Tidy…But Add a Personal Touch
While keeping your workspace tidy may not seem important in the big scheme of things, this is something else that can heavily influence productivity. Studies show that a messy desk not only leads to a decline in productivity for the person using that desk but also has the same impact on those who are sitting near that desk.
Fortunately, keeping your desk tidy is much easier when you work from shared workspaces. Why? Because this will likely be one of the rules that you’ll have to follow. At a coworking space, you’ll need to leave your desk in the same tidy state as you found it. You won’t be able to have clutter building up each day. Over time, this can help you to build tidier habits in other aspects of your life too.
With that said, there’s nothing wrong with adding a small personal touch to your desk, even when you’re working from a coworking space. A photo of a loved one or a small bunch of flowers can make you feel happier and more comfortable in your surroundings, which will undoubtedly help productivity.
Stay Digitally Organized
Of course, it’s not just your physical desk that needs to be kept tidy and organized – your digital life should be given the same respect! When you work from shared workspaces, a lot of reliance is placed on digital clouds, apps, and other services. If your digital life is disorganized, this will be very detrimental to your overall productivity.
So, make an effort every once in a while to organize all of your digital files. Keep everything streamlined and easy to access. You’ll soon notice just how much time you’re able to save by doing so!
Make the Most of Productivity Apps
While we’re on the topic of the digital world, it’s worth mentioning that there are numerous apps out there designed to help boost productivity. While not all of these will be of use to you, some could likely be of a big help.
There are now apps available that can assist with everything from note-taking and to-do lists to blocking digital distractions and helping to track habits. Thanks to AI, automation is now much easier too, which could save you from having to waste time and energy performing repetitive and mind-numbing tasks. Make the most of all of this tech and use it to your advantage whenever possible!
Embrace the Flexibility of Shared Workspaces
One of the great things about using a coworking space is the flexibility that they provide. We already mentioned how hot desking allows you to turn up and work at an available desk whenever, and for however long, you want. However, that flexibility goes further than this…
Take your working hours as an example. While some people will need to adhere to the 9-5 schedule operated by their employers, others, particularly freelancers and remote workers, will be able to set their own timings. If this is the case for you, find yourself a coworking space that allows 24/7 access, just like Circle Hub does. This way, you’ll have full control over your working hours and can choose to visit your coworking space during the hours in which you’re most productive. Some people work best early in the mornings while others tend to be night owls. With a 24/7 coworking space, you’ll be able to play into this and put your most productive hours to the best use.
Take Advantage of the Available Resources
While some shared workspaces don’t offer much in terms of resources, others, including Circle Hub, go all out. This is yet another advantage that comes from working at a reputable coworking space. You’ll have access to high-speed WiFi, printing facilities, and other business resources that enable your workday to run smoothly so that you can be your most productive self.
At Circle Hub, in addition to the standard business resources that we provide, our members are also free to use our shared kitchen area, complete with complimentary coffee! They even have access to an on-site gym and gaming room. Both are perfect for when you’re taking one of your regular breaks! Research shows that both physical exercise and playing video games can help to give productivity a boost, which is largely why these amenities are so popular at Circle Hub!
Get to Know the People Around You
While some people prefer to work in isolation, it would be a shame to ignore the diversity and networking opportunities provided by shared workspaces. You’ll be surrounded by other professionals each time you pay a visit to your coworking space, so spend some time getting to know them!
Wondering how this will help with your productivity? It all comes down to how social interactions are crucial for mental health. Even a short interaction at your workplace can help to improve well-being. This will then have a knock-on effect on your productivity levels. The happier and more comfortable you are in an environment, the better your work will be.
At Circle Hub, interacting with other members is easy. We have a number of common areas, away from our shared workspaces, that you can hang out in and chat to other members. We also regularly host events that our members can attend for free. Whether you decide to drop in on one of our free breakfasts or take advantage of one of our yoga sessions, these events are a great way to break the ice and meet like-minded professionals.
Give Yourself Some Time to Adjust
If you’re new to shared workspaces, it’s important to give yourself some time to adjust. This is especially the case if you were previously working from home. The hustle and bustle of a coworking space will be very different from your previous environment.
As with anything in life, it can take a few weeks to form a new routine and habits. Take this transitional period slowly and don’t place too much pressure on yourself to perform to your full potential straight away.
Summary
When it comes down to it, shared workspaces are a great way to raise your productivity levels, so long as you go about things in the right way. Follow the tips that we’ve shared above and you’ll be off to a great start! It won’t be long before you notice yourself becoming more and more productive, which will then open up new avenues for your working life.
Click here to book a tour to check out Circle Hub’s shared workspaces for yourself.