Have you decided to take the plunge and sign up for a coworking space? Good choice! However, you’re now probably wondering exactly what to expect, especially for your first few weeks.
Don’t worry – Circle Hub can help! Keep reading as we explain what actually happens after you join a coworking space.
You Might Have Some First-Day Nerves
If you’re completely new to the world of coworking, you’re likely to have some first-day jitters. It may even feel like your first day at a new job! This is completely normal. After all, you’re going to be entering a new environment and community for the first time, so it’s only natural to feel apprehensive.
One way to settle your nerves is to ensure that you’re fully prepared for your first day of coworking. Pack all of your essentials the night before, from your laptop and chargers to notebooks and stationery.
It would also be worth familiarizing yourself with how to access your coworking space. From mapping out a route for your commute to making sure that you have the right keycard or digital check-in code, you’ll start to feel much more confident once you’re fully prepared.
You’ll Meet Some New People
It’s so easy to meet new people at a coworking space, and this is something that you’ll encounter as soon as you walk through the door on your very first day. Most coworking spaces will have a community manager on site to welcome you and give you an introduction to your surroundings, so don’t worry about feeling lost as soon as you enter. At Circle Hub, our community manager can also introduce you to other members who can help you find your feet.
Even without the help of a community manager, you’re likely to make some great connections at your coworking space. Make an effort to introduce yourself to people as much as possible. While you don’t want to interrupt anyone’s stream of work, spend some time in the common areas of your coworking space, where people will be open to socializing.
You’ll Spend Some Time Exploring the Space
While some coworking spaces are pretty basic, others, like Circle Hub, have plenty to offer. The best way to acquaint yourself with all of this is to spend some time in those early days exploring your new coworking space.
Make sure that you’re familiar with where everything is. From the bathroom to the kitchen area to the various amenities available, get a feel for your surroundings – this will help you to settle in much faster. You’ll likely also discover a few additional perks that you may not have been aware of. For example, did you know that you’ll find free breakfasts on offer in the Circle Hub kitchen zone once a week?
You’ll Feel More Creative and Motivated
After spending just a short amount of time at your new coworking space, you’ll likely find that you’ll feel more motivated. The buzzing and vibrant atmosphere of a good coworking space, like Circle Hub, tends to have that effect!
This isn’t just hearsay either. Several studies have been carried out on the interesting link between coworking spaces and motivation. They’ve found that the two are strongly intertwined, with coworking spaces also triggering a surge in creativity.
Your Productivity Will Start to Climb
What happens when you feel more creative and motivated? Productivity will start to soar. You may even notice this happening on your very first day at a coworking space, with this continuing to increase thereafter.
This effect isn’t solely due to the rise in motivation that a coworking space induces. It also comes down to how coworking spaces offer an environment that really enhances focus. This environment is usually aesthetically pleasing and designed in a way that boosts mental well-being. The various facilities and amenities offered by coworking spaces help with productivity too, as does the overall flexibility that this working model offers.
You’ll Meet Even More New People
While your first few weeks at a coworking space will be filled with brief initial introductions, you’ll soon start to see some of the same faces around each time you arrive at your coworking space. Regularly speaking to those people will build on that relationship, which could lead to some very useful professional contacts.
Many would say that one of the biggest benefits offered by a coworking space is how easy it is to network. This is something that professionals often struggle with, yet the relaxed and down-to-earth vibe of a coworking space greatly facilitates making new connections.
Some coworking spaces, including Circle Hub, host community events for their members. These are the perfect opportunities to meet even more new people and further strengthen your professional network.
You’ll Start to Take Full Advantage of the Available Amenities
It won’t be long before you discover the full range of amenities available at your coworking space. Hopefully, you’ve chosen a space that has plenty to offer, just like Circle Hub! Certain amenities will not only make you more efficient, but they can also help with stress reduction and overall mental well-being as well.
If Circle Hub is your coworking space of choice, you’ll have access to all of the usual business amenities, plus so much more. Our on-site gym, for example, is perfect for letting off some midday steam. Alternatively, you can kick back in our gaming room if you need some downtime. You likely won’t have much time to get familiar with all of these amenities in your first few days. However, as the weeks progress, you’ll soon start to take full advantage of them!
You’ll Soon Have a Favorite Desk
Most coworking spaces operate a hot desk (known as Hot Spots at Circle Hub) system. This means that you can turn up whenever you want, grab an available desk, and work for however long you need to.
It’s an extremely flexible system and is one that lends itself well to the coworking model. It enables you to pick and choose a desk/working area that suits your tasks for the day. If you need to soak up some extra motivation and inspiration, pick a desk at the heart of the room. On the other hand, if you need solitude for some hardcore concentration, choose a desk in a quiet corner, away from all of the buzz.
As time goes on, you’ll likely start to favor certain desks over others, and it can be disheartening when those aren’t available. This is why Circle Hub also offers a Designated Desk system. It enables you to book your preferred desk in advance, for as many hours as necessary. It gives some additional structure to the hot desking system and is a service that many of our members appreciate.
You’ll Grow Accustomed to Coworking Etiquette
Ever wondered how it’s possible for so many different people to work independently in one space without distracting each other? It all comes down to coworking etiquette – something that you’ll quickly learn!
This unwritten set of rules (although many coworking spaces will have written rules that need to be followed too!) makes the whole coworking concept possible. It fosters respect and consideration, all of which contribute to a positive and productive coworking environment.
Wondering what coworking etiquette involves? Some of the most important areas to acquaint yourself with are:
- Tidiness – avoid creating too much clutter, and never allow your ‘stuff’ to spill over onto another desk, the floor, or any other space that other members should have access to.
- Noise levels – phone calls should always be taken outside of a shared workspace. If you need to watch a video or listen to music, headphones are a must.
- Privacy – always respect the privacy of the professionals around you. Never eavesdrop or try to sneak a peek at someone else’s screen – give everyone plenty of personal space.
You’ll Start to Establish a Healthy Routine
One of the big advantages of coworking is that it’s so flexible. You don’t have to commit to anything in advance, giving you full control of your schedule.
While this means that you won’t need to adhere to the nine-to-five working day structure, you’ll likely soon develop your own routine. This will give your workday some structure while making it easier to establish a work-life balance. With routines known for reducing stress, improving productivity, and fostering a sense of security, try to get one going as quickly as possible!
You’ll Grow and Thrive
While there’s a good chance that you’ll find yourself thriving on your very first day at your new coworking space, growth is something that you’ll experience over time. Coworking spaces aren’t limiting or restrictive in the way that other offices can be – with full flexibility, you can grow uninhibited.
If you’re a freelancer or remote worker, the professional facilities available at a coworking space, from the private offices to the conference rooms, will make it easier to bag new clients. Meanwhile, if you’re running a business, many coworking spaces will offer services that cater to companies, like the Virtual Office service at Circle Hub. If you need to grow your team, simply sign new employees up for your coworking space too. You’ll be able to have everyone under one roof in a very cost-effective way, making growth even more possible and sustainable for your business.
Ready to Give Coworking a Try?
Trying anything new for the first time can sometimes be daunting, and joining a coworking space is no exception! The good news is that you have absolutely nothing to worry about. Coworking spaces are all about cultivating a sense of community and belonging. It won’t be long before you feel this, which will help you to settle in quickly. After this, you can focus on doing your very best work, which your new coworking space will undoubtedly help with!
Click here to book a tour of Circle Hub’s coworking spaces today!