Hit me up for some free coworking days or meeting rooms for your workshop, at OfficeLAB coworking space!
Coworking spaces are great for productivity and work-life balance. The movement outside of the office and into shared workspaces is one towards collaboration over competition, bringing like-minded people together to work in one environment, to learn from each other, network, stimulate creativity, reduce stress and get stuff done.
The Benefits Of Coworking
1. It’s A Great Option For Freelancers
40% of the workforce will be freelancers, temps, independent contractors, and solopreneurs by 2020.
This is a number that we can’t ignore. More people are choosing a more flexible lifestyle, and we have to be aware of this.
Coworking spaces are great for freelancers who can’t get their work done properly at home, or find coffee shops to be too stimulating of an environment. Likewise, companies with remote employees can take advantage of this. If you have an employee that wants to work from home, setting them up in a coworking space can be a better arrangement.
2. Coworking Makes You Feel Healthier
70% reported they felt healthier than they did working in a traditional office setting.
Maybe this has something to do with all of the stress that comes from a traditional office setting, or maybe it’s because coworking spaces have more initiatives to promote wellness, but according to a survey, people reported feeling healthier when working in a coworking space.
When you’re healthy, you’re naturally going to be more productive, so it’s a win-win.
3. Coworkers Complete Tasks Better
64% of co-workers are better able to complete tasks on time.
This is an amazing statistic and speaks volumes about the power of coworking spaces.
If people are more productive when they’re in coworking spaces, then companies should take advantage of this. Any temp or freelancer that a company hires should set them up in a coworking space instead of letting them work from a coffee shop.
4. Coworkers Can Focus Better
68% said they were able to focus better while coworking.
My theory on this one is because of the energy that a coworking space has.
Everyone is there to work, and is there for a serious purpose, whereas at home there are distractions (television, couch, bed, fridge), and at coffee shops there are also distractions (interesting conversations to accidentally eavesdrop on, the sound of the machine, the door opening and closing).
Another great reason to use a coworking space, is simply for the vibe in the room. It’s like working out at home or going to a gym, you’ll always push yourself harder at the gym because of the other people around you. If you look up and see someone in front of you working hard, you’re likely to get right back to work as well.
5. The Majority Of People Are Satisfied With Their Coworking Space
92% are satisfied with their coworking space.
This is a great statistic, and anyone that runs a coworking space should be really proud of themselves.
The people who run coworking spaces do a great job of ingraining a sense of community within everyone that works there.
There are also usually many of networking events and community-building initiatives, which makes it that much more satisfying and beneficial.
6. Coworking Leads To Great Interactions
91% have better interactions with others after working.
In coworking spaces, people who might have never met each other otherwise are given the opportunity to interact with one another and learn from each other.
This leads to feeling happier and makes it easier to connect and start conversations with other people outside of the coworking space.
7. Coworking Can Help You Feel More Relax About Work
60% are more relaxed at home since coworking.
This is probably my favorite statistic on the infographic.
Work-life balance is an important topic for us here at Officevibe, and something we talk about a lot.
The amount of stress that the typical worker brings home can have damaging effects on your relationships and your health.
Anything to help achieve a better work-life balance is important, and coworking spaces give the flexibility and freedom that entrepreneurs need.
8. Coworking Spaces Are Fit For Millennials
78% of coworkers are under 40.
Coworking spaces are fit for the millennial employee. Opening up the office space and expanding beyond it are one of many trends belonging to younger workers.
That being said, however, coworking spaces do not discriminate based on age.
Everyone, no matter how old you are, wants to be more productive, be healthier, and have a better work-life balance.
9. Coworking Can Help Build Your Confidence
90% said they felt more confident when coworking
This is probably again some placebo effect from the atmosphere in coworking spaces, but everyone that’s there is there to work hard, so it gives you a sense of drive that lets you work harder.
Plus, with the access to resources and events, you get a sense that there is a support network, which gives you more confidence.
10. You Can Possibly Make More Money Coworking
50% report higher incomes.
This is an interesting one, and my theory on this is that an entrepreneur or freelancer that uses a coworking space instead of something like a coffee shop will end up working harder, while taking the process more seriously.
Something for all independent workers to keep in mind.
11. But…Are They Open Late Enough?
The only caveat to coworking spaces at the moment is that freelancers often like to work different hours than regular workers, and sometimes that means late into the night. In fact, that’s when many contract workers get most of their work done. It’s not a make it or break it deal, but it is something for freelancers to think about when choosing workplace location.