Change is inevitable, in both our personal and our professional lives. People and businesses grow, communities evolve, and priorities shift. Some changes are planned, giving us time to think about our next steps and proceed thoughtfully. Others are unexpected, leaving us scrambling to pick up the pieces. Either way, dealing with change can be distressing, distracting, exhilarating, and exhausting.
Looking for a change of space? Book a tour of Cohere Coworking today!
Coworking can help you and your business thrive through all sorts of transitions. Here’s how.
Motivation
Running into the kind of unpredictable and unexpected situations inherent with any significant change can be draining, even when that change is welcome. It can be challenging to muster up the type of sustained motivation needed. Working alongside like-minded people, all striving to succeed at their own individual ventures, may be just the boost to motivation that you need.
Taking notice of both the big and small wins along the way is a great way to bolster your motivation. One of the perks of a friendship-based coworking community like Cohere is that you can always find someone to celebrate your wins with, by chatting with coworkers, posting it on the #todone channel on Slack, or sharing a coffee at one of the many coffee shops in Old Town.
*For a turbo boost in motivation, Cohere Community members can sign up for the next Cotivation session on our events calendar—coming in January!
Structure
Many entrepreneurs and other remote workers struggle with boundaries when working from home. Maintaining an organized working structure in the face of the type of distractions we face at home—laundry, dishes, hobbies, people, and pets—isn’t easy. Having another space in which to do your work can alleviate many of the distractions and provide a clear transition from home to work, making it easier to focus on the task at hand.
One great way to be wildly productive and make sure that you are getting the most out of your coworking membership is to add your coworking days to your schedule and book your desk ahead of time. Setting an expectation with your housemates that you will be gone during those times also helps to ingrain the habit of coming in.
*Schedule your workday to coincide with a community event for extra incentive to come in.
Balance
The way we work has changed. More of us have flexible schedules, are working across different time zones, and are more connected than ever. It can be easy to set aside our own needs to cater to the needs of our jobs and our family, especially during times of transition. Being part of a coworking community like the one at Cohere can also help you maintain a healthy work-life balance, even through difficult changes. Community members support one another in a myriad of ways. We take walks around the neighborhood to keep our minds fresh, encourage one another to take time for self-care, and gather together for events that cater to the whole person, from morning yoga to afternoon potlucks.
*Being supported in the work environment means taking less stress home with you, allowing you to be more present for your friends and family during your off time.
Collaboration
Not only can being a member of a coworking community increase your productivity by providing a much-needed motivational boost, but it can also help overcome obstacles by addressing more practical concerns. Do you need a graphic designer to design a professional logo, a wordsmith to draw in customers with compelling blog articles, or an accountant to help manage the money? Chances are good that someone in the community either offers exactly what you are looking for or knows someone who does.
We all run into our share of conundrums as well—tech troubles, communications issues, scheduling complications. Coworking communities are made up of diverse individuals from all walks of life who are likely to have suggestions on how to solve each of those conundrums.
*Community collaboration can also come in handy when you need a recommendation for anything from headshots to horseback riding.
Change is inevitable and necessary. Without some element of change in our lives, we would stagnate, and neither our businesses nor our hearts would have the opportunity to grow and thrive. Having a supportive coworking community can ease the burdens and amplify the benefits that come along with change.
Book a tour today to visit Cohere Coworking and meet our community!
Photo by Daniel Schludi on Unsplash
Penny Leigh Sebring is a Cohere member, experienced freelance writer, neophyte speculative fiction author, and gatherer of information and imaginary friends.